what gives a skimmer it's gal rating??

ozman3803 · 04/05/2008, 08:23 AM

I was just curious what gives a skimmer it's rating as far a gallon capable size? I know everything goes into play, but what can you do to "upgrade" it's performance? Looking at doing a DIY but wondering if it's worth it. Thanks for any help

Monti · 04/05/2008, 08:36 AM

Typically the manufacturer. Sometimes they are right on, sometimes they are way off. For example, a seaclone is supposed to be good for up to 100-150 gallons or something like that, but I wouldn't use it for anything over 5 gallons. As far as upgrading being worth it, it all depends on the kind of skimmer and what kind of upgrade. Sometimes its definitely worth it, sometimes not so much. What kind of skimmer do you have and what do you want to do with it?

ozman3803 · 04/05/2008, 08:41 AM

Im going to be running it on a roughly 300 gal total system, want dominate it with mostly sps and a decent amount of fish. I have the diy part to do a aqua c beckett skimmer but also would rather have a recirculation skimmer because I heard they are much quieter and of course dont use the large pump.

luke33 · 04/05/2008, 09:00 AM

Size, design, dwell time, air pull.

USC-fan · 04/05/2008, 09:05 AM

upgrade for NW skimmers are the easiest. A lot of people will "recirculate mod" in sump models and mesh mod the pumps.

/\/\
luke33 has a walk through for doing this for a Octopus Needlewheel Skimmer NW-200 If you do all the mods this could easily handle any tank up to 250gal IMO.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1284642

mcliffy2 · 04/05/2008, 09:41 AM

The manufacturer puts a bunch of numbers in a hat, and pulls one out.

Seriously, I would pay little attention to the manufacturer's ratings, just come here instead...luke and the rest of SAA (skimmer addicts anonymous) will point you in the right direction.

jimnrose · 04/05/2008, 09:51 AM

I've narrowed my search to either a Octopus or a Euro Reef. I have about 110 gallons, so is there a way to evaluate the Euro Reef RS80 (200 gal) the the Octopus NW150 (150 gal)?

painkiller1009 · 04/05/2008, 10:18 AM

S.A.A

triunfo · 04/05/2008, 10:31 AM

BK!!!!

USC-fan · 04/05/2008, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jimnrose
I've narrowed my search to either a Octopus or a Euro Reef. I have about 110 gallons, so is there a way to evaluate the Euro Reef RS80 (200 gal) the the Octopus NW150 (150 gal)?

neither one would be able to handle a 125....

If you want bang for your $...get a MSX160 for insump or if you want a recirc skimmer get a DAS ex-1. Both are around $300.

If you want cheaper then them get the NW200 like I posted above and mod it.

jimnrose · 04/05/2008, 04:40 PM

MSX160 it is. Thanks for your help. Jim

Roland Jacques · 04/05/2008, 04:50 PM

You might consider the MSX 200 if you have the room only 50 bucks More.

jimnrose · 04/06/2008, 06:24 AM

I tried (but obviously not hard enough) to find the footprint for the 160 to make sure it would fit. My sump's width is only 11 3/4" ID. I'll get both dimensions and go for the bigger one if it fits.
Thanks, Jim

04/05/2008, 08:23 AM	#1
ozman3803 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: lincoln, ne Posts: 242	what gives a skimmer it's gal rating?? I was just curious what gives a skimmer it's rating as far a gallon capable size? I know everything goes into play, but what can you do to "upgrade" it's performance? Looking at doing a DIY but wondering if it's worth it. Thanks for any help

04/05/2008, 08:36 AM	#2
Monti Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Dallas Posts: 173	Typically the manufacturer. Sometimes they are right on, sometimes they are way off. For example, a seaclone is supposed to be good for up to 100-150 gallons or something like that, but I wouldn't use it for anything over 5 gallons. As far as upgrading being worth it, it all depends on the kind of skimmer and what kind of upgrade. Sometimes its definitely worth it, sometimes not so much. What kind of skimmer do you have and what do you want to do with it? __________________ "Abraham Lincoln once said, 'If you are a racist, I will attack you with the North.'" -Michael Scott Current Tank Info: AGE 100 gal. 36x30x21 SPS dominated, ACJr, 400w 12k Reeflux in a Lumenarc III, Bubble King Mini 160 skimmer, Trigger Systems Custom Elite sump, 2x Tunze 6105 w/7095 controller, Eheim 1262 return, Geo 612 Calcium Reactor, 25 gallon frag tank inline

04/05/2008, 09:41 AM	#6
mcliffy2 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Downtown Chicago Posts: 4,093	The manufacturer puts a bunch of numbers in a hat, and pulls one out. Seriously, I would pay little attention to the manufacturer's ratings, just come here instead...luke and the rest of SAA (skimmer addicts anonymous) will point you in the right direction. __________________ 238g 60x36x26, 100g sump/fuge, 30g frag, 23g skimmer sump, 4 Vortechs, ATB L, Sfiligoi 12x54w T5 Bulb Combo: Super actinic, 6 Blue Plus/AS 22k, Fiji Purple, 2 Aquablue special, 2 Aquascience Duo

04/05/2008, 10:18 AM	#8
painkiller1009 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Marion - Ohio Posts: 518	S.A.A __________________ TravTEK modded T5 fixture ATI - Blue + KZ - Fiji Purple UVI - Aqua Sun ATI - Blue + ____________________________________ Tell them girls like DORITOS its NOTCHO CHEEZE Current Tank Info: 55G - mixed reef - TEK 4x54w T5HO - DAS EX-2....120xh in-wall O so close

04/05/2008, 04:50 PM	#12
Roland Jacques Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 2,848	You might consider the MSX 200 if you have the room only 50 bucks More. __________________ Roland

04/05/2008, 08:41 AM	#3
ozman3803 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: lincoln, ne Posts: 242	Im going to be running it on a roughly 300 gal total system, want dominate it with mostly sps and a decent amount of fish. I have the diy part to do a aqua c beckett skimmer but also would rather have a recirculation skimmer because I heard they are much quieter and of course dont use the large pump.

04/05/2008, 09:00 AM	#4
luke33 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,375	Size, design, dwell time, air pull.

04/05/2008, 09:05 AM	#5
USC-fan Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,626	upgrade for NW skimmers are the easiest. A lot of people will "recirculate mod" in sump models and mesh mod the pumps. /\/\ luke33 has a walk through for doing this for a Octopus Needlewheel Skimmer NW-200 If you do all the mods this could easily handle any tank up to 250gal IMO. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...readid=1284642

04/05/2008, 09:51 AM	#7
jimnrose Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The Villages, Florida Posts: 1,093	I've narrowed my search to either a Octopus or a Euro Reef. I have about 110 gallons, so is there a way to evaluate the Euro Reef RS80 (200 gal) the the Octopus NW150 (150 gal)?

04/05/2008, 10:31 AM	#9
triunfo Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: West New York Posts: 15	BK!!!!

04/05/2008, 04:40 PM	#11
jimnrose Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The Villages, Florida Posts: 1,093	MSX160 it is. Thanks for your help. Jim

04/06/2008, 06:24 AM	#13
jimnrose Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: The Villages, Florida Posts: 1,093	I tried (but obviously not hard enough) to find the footprint for the 160 to make sure it would fit. My sump's width is only 11 3/4" ID. I'll get both dimensions and go for the bigger one if it fits. Thanks, Jim