Skimmer and Heater size?

bo0sted2g · 05/27/2011, 05:43 AM

Ok things are moving along nicely. It looks like im getting closer to having my tank ready for operation. Got my lighting and plumbing all set up and working, and a shipment from BulkReefSupply coming on Tuesday with Rock and RO/DI system.
The last 2 pieces that I need before we are ready to go are a heater and a skimmer. I have a 55gal with a 20gal sump what do my fellow reefers reccomend as far as skimmers for this size tank.

Also need input on heater size

thebkramer · 05/27/2011, 06:07 AM

How exciting!!

Not sure for skimmer as I have a Eshopps HOB.. works awesome!! I have a 55g too.. and I know Eshopps makes HOB skimmers that also work in sumps.. just to give you an idea

As for Heater... I have a Fluval "E200" series with "VueTech Technology"... it is the MOST amazing heater I've had over the past 5yrs!! Its digital and also has a built in thermometer & will tell me if its too cold or too hot or not enough flow for it... really nice piece of equipment IMHO..

Welcome to the Addiction!! and of course RC!!

Haapy Reefing!!!

thegrun · 05/27/2011, 08:49 AM

The general rule of thumb for heaters is 3-5 watts per gallon of water, so for your tank you will want a total wattage somewhere between 150 and 250 watts. If you keep your house heated 24/7 during the winter at 64 degrees or warmer, 3 watts per gallon would be fine, if your house gets colder, adjust the wattage upward. I strongly recommend using two heaters at half the required wattage rather than just one. When your heater goes bad (they all do eventually) they stick either in the on or off position. Using two heaters at half wattage gives you time to notice the problem and correct it before your tank crashes from over or under heating. I recommend two heaters even if you are using a controller (also recommended) for additional protection. I like titanium heaters, I've never had one split like the plastic ones do. Also, calibrate the heater with a good thermometer. I've seen the dial indicator off by more than 4 degrees. Good luck with the new tank!

sponger0 · 05/27/2011, 09:16 AM

Reef Octopus I heard are awesome skimmers

bo0sted2g · 05/27/2011, 06:27 PM

Anyone else love the skimmer they have?
Or know of a good one to reccomend?

snorvich · 05/27/2011, 07:29 PM

Be sure to run heaters on a ranco controller or equivalent. You will sleep better.

zeeter · 05/27/2011, 07:53 PM

Most advice that I've gotten is that for a reef tank you want double the skimming power over the tank volume. So a 55 gallon tank would need a 110, or a 100 since it doesn't have to be perfect and I doubt they make a 110 capacity skimmer. I don't think you add the sump volume to this since in general your sump won't be producing skimmage, but maybe someone will correct me on that if I'm wrong. A FOWLR tank doesn't necessarily require the doubling.

bo0sted2g · 05/28/2011, 04:35 PM

Is this a decent skimmer?
http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...p-skimmer.html

seems like the RC community likes the reef octopus!
but Is this one any good?

muttley000 · 05/28/2011, 04:41 PM

I would suggest the Aqua C skimmer in my sig line to anyone with under 100 gallons total system, it's been working great for me. Agree with the temp controller comments above.

05/27/2011, 05:43 AM	#1
bo0sted2g Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Vail Colorado Posts: 215	Skimmer and Heater size? Ok things are moving along nicely. It looks like im getting closer to having my tank ready for operation. Got my lighting and plumbing all set up and working, and a shipment from BulkReefSupply coming on Tuesday with Rock and RO/DI system. The last 2 pieces that I need before we are ready to go are a heater and a skimmer. I have a 55gal with a 20gal sump what do my fellow reefers reccomend as far as skimmers for this size tank. Also need input on heater size

05/27/2011, 06:07 AM	#2
thebkramer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Clifton Park, NY Posts: 3,198	How exciting!! Not sure for skimmer as I have a Eshopps HOB.. works awesome!! I have a 55g too.. and I know Eshopps makes HOB skimmers that also work in sumps.. just to give you an idea As for Heater... I have a Fluval "E200" series with "VueTech Technology"... it is the MOST amazing heater I've had over the past 5yrs!! Its digital and also has a built in thermometer & will tell me if its too cold or too hot or not enough flow for it... really nice piece of equipment IMHO.. Welcome to the Addiction!! and of course RC!! Haapy Reefing!!! __________________ Rhonda There is NO such things as Dumb Questions!! There are However.. Dumb Answers!!! ;) ____________ Current Tank Info: 55g reef....Current Orbit SunPaq Lights, HOB Eshopps, HOB AquaClear 110, 2-1400 Koralia Powerheads & 1 Nano Koralia, 40+ lbs LR, 2" LS

05/27/2011, 07:29 PM	#6
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	Be sure to run heaters on a ranco controller or equivalent. You will sleep better. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

05/28/2011, 04:41 PM	#9
muttley000 MTS Sufferer! Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: NW Ohio Posts: 1,926	I would suggest the Aqua C skimmer in my sig line to anyone with under 100 gallons total system, it's been working great for me. Agree with the temp controller comments above. __________________ Next step on the system is adding A 90 gallon! Current Tank Info: 475 multitank system is now running! Several hundred gallons of additions planned!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
finnex titanium heater size	boyooso	Reef Discussion	0	06/28/2006 10:18 PM
heater sizing spreadhseet	BeanAnimal	Do It Yourself	5	05/21/2006 09:17 PM
Heater sizing spreadsheet	BeanAnimal	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	0	05/20/2006 01:33 PM
Heater Size and Placement	HowieUMD	Lighting, Filtration & Other Equipment	1	02/09/2006 11:24 AM
Heater size?	Secondgen	Reef Discussion	5	01/14/2006 09:36 AM

05/27/2011, 08:49 AM	#3
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	The general rule of thumb for heaters is 3-5 watts per gallon of water, so for your tank you will want a total wattage somewhere between 150 and 250 watts. If you keep your house heated 24/7 during the winter at 64 degrees or warmer, 3 watts per gallon would be fine, if your house gets colder, adjust the wattage upward. I strongly recommend using two heaters at half the required wattage rather than just one. When your heater goes bad (they all do eventually) they stick either in the on or off position. Using two heaters at half wattage gives you time to notice the problem and correct it before your tank crashes from over or under heating. I recommend two heaters even if you are using a controller (also recommended) for additional protection. I like titanium heaters, I've never had one split like the plastic ones do. Also, calibrate the heater with a good thermometer. I've seen the dial indicator off by more than 4 degrees. Good luck with the new tank!

05/27/2011, 09:16 AM	#4
sponger0 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 6,659	Reef Octopus I heard are awesome skimmers

05/27/2011, 06:27 PM	#5
bo0sted2g Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Vail Colorado Posts: 215	Anyone else love the skimmer they have? Or know of a good one to reccomend?

05/27/2011, 07:53 PM	#7
zeeter Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Posts: 386	Most advice that I've gotten is that for a reef tank you want double the skimming power over the tank volume. So a 55 gallon tank would need a 110, or a 100 since it doesn't have to be perfect and I doubt they make a 110 capacity skimmer. I don't think you add the sump volume to this since in general your sump won't be producing skimmage, but maybe someone will correct me on that if I'm wrong. A FOWLR tank doesn't necessarily require the doubling.

05/28/2011, 04:35 PM	#8
bo0sted2g Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Vail Colorado Posts: 215	Is this a decent skimmer? http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...p-skimmer.html seems like the RC community likes the reef octopus! but Is this one any good?