Which Skimmer and pump.

[scubaman2]

I am new to saltwater. I am setting up a 120G with a 75G sump plumbed in the basement. My question is which skimmer and pump do I purchase?

[Fish_wiz2]

Depends on how much you would like to spend. I have a very similar setup to yours and run a Super Reef Octopus XP-2000 cone. It easily handles my load and had easily drained my wallet. Wiz

[Monkeyfish]

Definetly depends on price in regards to the skimmer. Plan on spending at least $200. You may want to look at Octopus skimmers as they seem to have the most bang-for-the buck.

Which return pump you use will depend on the configuration of your plumbing (head loss, number of 45 and 90 degree elbows, etc).

[Mounda]

XP-2000 would be really good for your setup.

Eheim 1260/1262 are suitable return pumps for your tank, dead silent.

[scubaman2]

Fish Wiz do you have a picture of the sump set up?

[Sk8r]

I recommend the Iwaki pump, Japanese motor (supply your own plug). I bought the 100, which was a mistake: I have to throttle it way back...I have a 54 gallon bow, directly above in the living room, and if I let that pump rip, water would hit the picture windows 15 feet away. So I would say the Iwaki 50 might be a more reasonable choice.

Why Iwaki? Durability. It has no fan-type impeller, but a massive machined rotating cylinder, magnetically driven, and it will not wear out until the heat-death of the universe. Instead of burning up the coil if stalled, the impeller/cylinder decouples and waits for help---unfortunately you may not notice it is no longer pumping, since it makes the same airport-like noise level. But observation of your tank will tell you you have a problem. Easy to service yourself (a cerith snail stuck in the hole in the impeller cylinder was one of my problems)...4 screws and it was instantly apparent what the problem was. It is NOT submersible, connects via a bulkhead screwon, and makes a racket like a DC10 taking off, so basement installation is the only option.