skimmer for a 300gallon

rsantangelo3@co · 12/13/2008, 07:54 PM

Any skimmer ideas for a 300 gallon with fish and live rock? Also what size return pump?

joe blo · 12/13/2008, 07:59 PM

atb, don't settle for anything less

fisherman2 · 12/14/2008, 12:23 AM

reeflo return pump maybe a super dart or a hammerhead and as for a skimmer im asking myself the same question. thinking about a diy modeled after the bk

mg426 · 12/14/2008, 12:56 AM

This one would work pretty well for you.

http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/ca...duct_info.html

rsantangelo3@co · 12/14/2008, 03:39 PM

Any within the 200 range that will be good for a 300 gallon tank?

Poorcollegereef · 12/14/2008, 04:48 PM

The REAL question is how much do you want to spend...

I assume your question about the 200 is about the MSX 200.

I have one on my 65g (yeah, but thats not the smallest tank the MSX is currently being run on... some madman or GENIUS! has it on a 26g) and it is a workhorse... but if you want to stock your tank a bit on the heavy side, then I would suggest going with a bigger skimmer.
Check out the 300 or better yet the new MSX cones
http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/ca...duct_info.html
I know it is a bit more, but I think it is always good to oversize.
Other options are Reeflo, ATB makes some darn good stuff (even if it cost an arm and a leg)... Bubbleking if you want to pay a soul... but since it sound like a fishonly tank, get a oversized skimmer to reduce water change demand (since you are not worried about CA or other minerals) and spend only as much as you want.

rsantangelo3@co · 12/14/2008, 05:21 PM

200 bucks!

danorth · 12/14/2008, 06:32 PM

I have the Octo Extreme 300 with a 240 and plenty of fish. It works well but is touchy to get the air out of the pumps. The mesh wheels it came with were good for 25 scfh (get used to reading these units of air), but now with my own efforts, I have them up to 30-35 each.

$200 limit, you won't get one.

Poorcollegereef · 12/14/2008, 08:39 PM

for $200, Im not sure if there is a skimmer in that price range that would legitimately skim you tank. There are skimmer that may claim that but I would be weary if it does not have a big price tag. It sounds like the MSX/Octo Extreme line is the best bet. The smallest skimmer you might be able to get away with is the 250 (with the extended neck) Here:
http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/ca...duct_info.html
It is true that the pumps can be particular, but if you are careful and don't mind doing some slight adjustment, the the mesh is great. Otherwise, get the larger skimmer and use the pinwheels that comes with it. Still, I would try to "overskim" as much as possible to reduce the need for water changes. My old Euroreef claimed it could handle a 80g system, but I still had to upgrade to the MSX.

picassoman · 12/14/2008, 08:43 PM

Nothing for $200. If you are setting up a 300 gallon tank, that is going to cost a small fortune to setup and stock. Don't skimp on a skimmer, skimp other places

Paulairduck · 12/14/2008, 09:17 PM

I hope you did not say 200???

viggen · 12/15/2008, 07:21 AM

skip the LR & do a FO tank with a wet dry. My FO tank has been skimmerless on & off for 15+ years now

H20 changes.....

spend the money you saved on a proper/better skimmer

pump wise depends on the flow , internal/external

velocity pumps are silent & if you want/need more flow a snapper or dart should be considered

danorth · 12/15/2008, 10:54 AM

Viggen, what do you use for caves and such then? That DIY rock?

12/13/2008, 07:54 PM	#1
rsantangelo3@co Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ct Posts: 846	skimmer for a 300gallon Any skimmer ideas for a 300 gallon with fish and live rock? Also what size return pump?

12/14/2008, 12:56 AM	#4
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	This one would work pretty well for you. http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/ca...duct_info.html __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

12/15/2008, 07:21 AM	#12
viggen Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Dayton, Ohio Posts: 2,213	skip the LR & do a FO tank with a wet dry. My FO tank has been skimmerless on & off for 15+ years now H20 changes..... spend the money you saved on a proper/better skimmer pump wise depends on the flow , internal/external velocity pumps are silent & if you want/need more flow a snapper or dart should be considered __________________ A tub of fish

12/13/2008, 07:59 PM	#2
joe blo Moved On Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: sactown Posts: 89	atb, don't settle for anything less

12/14/2008, 12:23 AM	#3
fisherman2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 171	reeflo return pump maybe a super dart or a hammerhead and as for a skimmer im asking myself the same question. thinking about a diy modeled after the bk

12/14/2008, 03:39 PM	#5
rsantangelo3@co Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ct Posts: 846	Any within the 200 range that will be good for a 300 gallon tank?

12/14/2008, 04:48 PM	#6
Poorcollegereef Future Doc Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: DC Posts: 961	The REAL question is how much do you want to spend... I assume your question about the 200 is about the MSX 200. I have one on my 65g (yeah, but thats not the smallest tank the MSX is currently being run on... some madman or GENIUS! has it on a 26g) and it is a workhorse... but if you want to stock your tank a bit on the heavy side, then I would suggest going with a bigger skimmer. Check out the 300 or better yet the new MSX cones http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/ca...duct_info.html I know it is a bit more, but I think it is always good to oversize. Other options are Reeflo, ATB makes some darn good stuff (even if it cost an arm and a leg)... Bubbleking if you want to pay a soul... but since it sound like a fishonly tank, get a oversized skimmer to reduce water change demand (since you are not worried about CA or other minerals) and spend only as much as you want.

12/14/2008, 05:21 PM	#7
rsantangelo3@co Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Ct Posts: 846	200 bucks!

12/14/2008, 06:32 PM	#8
danorth Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: roseville, CA Posts: 3,701	I have the Octo Extreme 300 with a 240 and plenty of fish. It works well but is touchy to get the air out of the pumps. The mesh wheels it came with were good for 25 scfh (get used to reading these units of air), but now with my own efforts, I have them up to 30-35 each. $200 limit, you won't get one.

12/14/2008, 08:39 PM	#9
Poorcollegereef Future Doc Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: DC Posts: 961	for $200, Im not sure if there is a skimmer in that price range that would legitimately skim you tank. There are skimmer that may claim that but I would be weary if it does not have a big price tag. It sounds like the MSX/Octo Extreme line is the best bet. The smallest skimmer you might be able to get away with is the 250 (with the extended neck) Here: http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/ca...duct_info.html It is true that the pumps can be particular, but if you are careful and don't mind doing some slight adjustment, the the mesh is great. Otherwise, get the larger skimmer and use the pinwheels that comes with it. Still, I would try to "overskim" as much as possible to reduce the need for water changes. My old Euroreef claimed it could handle a 80g system, but I still had to upgrade to the MSX.

12/14/2008, 08:43 PM	#10
picassoman Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 219	Nothing for $200. If you are setting up a 300 gallon tank, that is going to cost a small fortune to setup and stock. Don't skimp on a skimmer, skimp other places

12/14/2008, 09:17 PM	#11
Paulairduck I LOVE FREE FRAGS!!! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Chino Hills Posts: 2,909	I hope you did not say 200???

12/15/2008, 10:54 AM	#13
danorth Moved On Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: roseville, CA Posts: 3,701	Viggen, what do you use for caves and such then? That DIY rock?