what size skimmer, is bigger better?

Kingsnake · 07/02/2011, 08:07 AM

If a skimmer says up to 160G and I have a 150g tank is it better to maybe go 180g or 200g skimmer?

After putting live rock in the tank my 150g is probably much less so will the 160g skimmer be fine. what are the rules when buying a skimmer?

Ron Reefman · 07/02/2011, 08:39 AM

The rule is, when it comes to skimmers, there are no rules. The LR you added probably didn't displace as much water as you may think (if it was quality LR). The skimmer you are looking at will work, BUT, it depends on what you plan to do with the tank. In a softy tank with a light bio-load of fish it will be OK, not great, but OK. If you have great lights, lots of flow and want to do SPS and/or have a heavy bio-load of fish, IMHO you probably want to look for a skimmer that is rated 50% to 100% bigger than your system.

Ron

Kingsnake · 07/02/2011, 08:49 AM

For the tank I am putting this one in it will be fish only. I ordered a huge skimmer for my reef tank.

I may go with the 200g skimmer for my fish only then.

07/02/2011, 08:07 AM	#1
Kingsnake Moved On Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 120	what size skimmer, is bigger better? If a skimmer says up to 160G and I have a 150g tank is it better to maybe go 180g or 200g skimmer? After putting live rock in the tank my 150g is probably much less so will the 160g skimmer be fine. what are the rules when buying a skimmer?

07/02/2011, 08:39 AM	#2
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	The rule is, when it comes to skimmers, there are no rules. The LR you added probably didn't displace as much water as you may think (if it was quality LR). The skimmer you are looking at will work, BUT, it depends on what you plan to do with the tank. In a softy tank with a light bio-load of fish it will be OK, not great, but OK. If you have great lights, lots of flow and want to do SPS and/or have a heavy bio-load of fish, IMHO you probably want to look for a skimmer that is rated 50% to 100% bigger than your system. Ron __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

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07/02/2011, 08:49 AM	#3
Kingsnake Moved On Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 120	For the tank I am putting this one in it will be fish only. I ordered a huge skimmer for my reef tank. I may go with the 200g skimmer for my fish only then.