Skimmer and sump

CrayolaViolence · 04/29/2016, 03:33 AM

I would like to buy a prefabbed sump this time and will need a new skimmer for the new tank that can handle at least 200gallons. I will have mostly coral and very few fish.

Right now I have a reef octopus and have been pretty happy with it, but was wondering if there are better or as good a product out there others have had experience with. And if I go with the reef octopus, which one would be best? In sump? Out of sump? I should have plenty of room in my cabinet, but would prefer the one easier to install. Thanks

CrayolaViolence · 04/29/2016, 03:04 PM

Bumping this up in hopes some people have some suggestions. Thanks.

FirstContact · 04/29/2016, 03:25 PM

My preference is a recirculating (external) skimmer and place it in the sump fed by a pump not the drain line. This avoids water level/skimmer performance issues, and recirculating skimmers are extremely responsive to adjustments - precise adjustments. Feeding with a separate pump means I can run the skimmer 24/7 without ever turning it off (only for maintenance). When I feed the tank I stop the return pump. The return pump turns on well after the fish have eaten, and my skimmer never changes performance. ATB, Bubble King, Skimz, Reef Octopus, RLSS, and MRC all make external recirculating protein skimmers. I am sure there are others that got left out.

Good Luck!

04/29/2016, 03:33 AM	#1
CrayolaViolence Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,867	Skimmer and sump I would like to buy a prefabbed sump this time and will need a new skimmer for the new tank that can handle at least 200gallons. I will have mostly coral and very few fish. Right now I have a reef octopus and have been pretty happy with it, but was wondering if there are better or as good a product out there others have had experience with. And if I go with the reef octopus, which one would be best? In sump? Out of sump? I should have plenty of room in my cabinet, but would prefer the one easier to install. Thanks

04/29/2016, 03:25 PM	#3
FirstContact Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Glenn Dale, MD Posts: 1,613	My preference is a recirculating (external) skimmer and place it in the sump fed by a pump not the drain line. This avoids water level/skimmer performance issues, and recirculating skimmers are extremely responsive to adjustments - precise adjustments. Feeding with a separate pump means I can run the skimmer 24/7 without ever turning it off (only for maintenance). When I feed the tank I stop the return pump. The return pump turns on well after the fish have eaten, and my skimmer never changes performance. ATB, Bubble King, Skimz, Reef Octopus, RLSS, and MRC all make external recirculating protein skimmers. I am sure there are others that got left out. Good Luck! __________________ No man is an island entire of itself; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee. John Donne Current Tank Info: 120g Reef 100g Rubbermaid Sump, 20g Refugium; previous tank: 46g Drilled; Self Plumbed, Birds Nest, Anchor, Xenia, Zoas, Yuma Yuma Ricordea, Chalice, Mushrooms, Brain, Acan, Anenome Plate; Clams, Other Inverts, Fish, Live Rock

04/29/2016, 03:04 PM	#2
CrayolaViolence Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,867	Bumping this up in hopes some people have some suggestions. Thanks.