Is there a disadvantage to buying "too much skimmer?"

Fountainhead · 10/20/2006, 09:58 AM

Other than cost, is there any disadvantage to buying a skimmer rated for a system larger than where it'll be (currently) used?

Amador · 10/20/2006, 10:05 AM

Only disadvantages I can think of are physical size, more power usage (potentially), and MAYBE more turbulence / microbubbles on the output (if your setup isn't configured to eliminate them via baffles, etc.).

SDguy · 10/20/2006, 11:24 AM

And perhaps depending on what you want to keep in the tank. A fishless system full of mushrooms and LPS might not do so well if it is completely overskimmed, IME.

twon8 · 10/20/2006, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SDguy
And perhaps depending on what you want to keep in the tank. A fishless system full of mushrooms and LPS might not do so well if it is completely overskimmed, IME.

but if you feed the lps enough that should make up for the overskimming

SDguy · 10/20/2006, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by twon8
but if you feed the lps enough that should make up for the overskimming

Yes of course, but discosoma, zoa's and such are sometimes difficult to specifically target feed, IME.

Anyway, was just trying to give an example, as the OP requested, of when too big a skimmer could be a problem. There are of course ways around this.

miami13 · 10/20/2006, 08:25 PM

great question - I'm contemplating purchasing the ER RS250 for a total volume sytem of around 130 gallons. I have the room for it and it's only around $45 more than the RS180. Would this qualify as "over-skimming" and as a negative?

tks...

UCanDoIt · 10/20/2006, 09:09 PM

No

dhnguyen · 10/20/2006, 09:17 PM

Well that depends though. I have heard reports from people that having too large of a skimmer can actually cause it not to skim efficiently. Not enough protein per se.

D.

UCanDoIt · 10/20/2006, 09:23 PM

Depends if we are talking about 2x more skimming or 20x more skimming, I guess.

dhnguyen · 10/20/2006, 09:26 PM

yeah like a BK 250 on a 29g tank WOULD be

10/20/2006, 09:58 AM	#1
Fountainhead Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 566	Is there a disadvantage to buying "too much skimmer?" Other than cost, is there any disadvantage to buying a skimmer rated for a system larger than where it'll be (currently) used?

10/20/2006, 10:05 AM	#2
Amador Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Jenks, OK Posts: 320	Only disadvantages I can think of are physical size, more power usage (potentially), and MAYBE more turbulence / microbubbles on the output (if your setup isn't configured to eliminate them via baffles, etc.). __________________ Chris Current Tank Info: 125g AGA, 55g sump, 2x 250W MH, Mag 12, MSX 160, BB since 5/14/07

10/20/2006, 11:24 AM	#3
SDguy Fish heads unite! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: San Diego Posts: 23,384	And perhaps depending on what you want to keep in the tank. A fishless system full of mushrooms and LPS might not do so well if it is completely overskimmed, IME. __________________ Peter SDMAS member Marine tanks since 1989. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. ><((((º> Current Tank Info: 240g butterfly and angel FOWLR. 15g QT.

10/20/2006, 08:25 PM	#6
miami13 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: alabama Posts: 100	great question - I'm contemplating purchasing the ER RS250 for a total volume sytem of around 130 gallons. I have the room for it and it's only around $45 more than the RS180. Would this qualify as "over-skimming" and as a negative? tks...

10/20/2006, 09:09 PM	#7
UCanDoIt Moved On Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bay Area CA Posts: 1,684	No

10/20/2006, 09:17 PM	#8
dhnguyen Moved On Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kingston, WA Posts: 4,751	Well that depends though. I have heard reports from people that having too large of a skimmer can actually cause it not to skim efficiently. Not enough protein per se. D.

10/20/2006, 09:23 PM	#9
UCanDoIt Moved On Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bay Area CA Posts: 1,684	Depends if we are talking about 2x more skimming or 20x more skimming, I guess.

10/20/2006, 09:26 PM	#10
dhnguyen Moved On Join Date: May 2004 Location: Kingston, WA Posts: 4,751	yeah like a BK 250 on a 29g tank WOULD be