Atb 1050

[desjardinii]

What's your thoughts with this skimmer on a heavily stocked, heavily fed and carbon dosed 150g. How do you think it would stack up against a similar priced SRO XP5000 External?

[ridetheducati]

The ATB is a fine skimmer. Although, the SRO is probably too large for that system. I would think the 3000 would be on the same level, if you will.

Total water volume is probably 120-130g unless you have a large sump.

[Drae]

Both skimmers are too big for a 150. Look at the atb 840 v2 or the reef octopus sro 3000.

[desjardinii]

Thankyou both for your replies, I already do run an xp5000 external on a 150+50g sump and it does an awesome job, sorry for not being clear. Like I mentioned the tank's got a big load and I run biopellet effluent straight into the skimmer via the feed pump. The SRO never idles, is a dream to use and very consistent, for a skimmate locker I use a 5gal bucket lol. I ran an rlss r8i on this set up and it couldn't really cope! I am trying to decide on an in-sump skimmer for another 150g tank that will give similar performance to the big sro. Thanks but I feel the 840's a little on the small side, better for a 75-90g.

[Drae]

External skimmers have a wide sweet spot and can be a lot larger than the system needs. Internal skimmers are a little different. They can't be adjusted as much as an external and should be fitted accordingly. A 10" in sump skimmer and a 10" external skimmer are very different. The atb 840 v2 would be perfect in sump for a 150 and the IMO the sro in sump skimmers are very finicky and overflow a lot. The external sro line is head and shoulders above the internals.

[desjardinii]

Thanks Drae, I totally agree about the internal SRO's and none are on my wish-list. Still not convinced about the 840 though lol, even with the rlss I wished I got the r10i instead of the 8 but their hit or miss dc pumps have put me off. The main issue is the carbon dosing as I've found the smaller 8" skimmers can't deal very well with the froth and I'd have lids being lifted off and stinky foam stuck to plumbing and cabinet walls. I don't really want another smallish skimmer I have to wash every 2 days.

[solitude127]

IMO, I feel the 1050 would be a little too much skimmer. Maybe look at the atb 8.5 deluxe? Also, how many and what fish do you have in your 150?

[gcarroll]

I would go 1050 all day. But then again, I have always been known to have too much skimmer. I feel it's better to have that extra power on hand just in case good times go bad.

[tom obrecht]

Fwiw I currently run a 1050 deluxe on a 120 sps tank and it does a fine job. I do not have a large fish load either and I get a fair amount of nasty nog weekly. IMO the ATB is far superior in workmanship and performance than the octo skimmers. I have used many skimmers including Deltec and bubble king and in my eyes the ATB out performs them all. I know there are newer models and brand names out there but IMO the atb's are a solid unit that gets the job done. I feel the 1050 would be fine on that size tank.

[swcc]

Originally Posted by desjardinii

Thankyou both for your replies, I already do run an xp5000 external on a 150+50g sump and it does an awesome job, sorry for not being clear. Like I mentioned the tank's got a big load and I run biopellet effluent straight into the skimmer via the feed pump. The SRO never idles, is a dream to use and very consistent, for a skimmate locker I use a 5gal bucket lol. I ran an rlss r8i on this set up and it couldn't really cope! I am trying to decide on an in-sump skimmer for another 150g tank that will give similar performance to the big sro. Thanks but I feel the 840's a little on the small side, better for a 75-90g.

The atb is an outstanding skimmer...but... It probably won't make any noticablle difference on your tank. If the sro works .... Stick with it unless it is imperative to go to an internal skimmer.