What Size Protien Skimmer?

FreakonaReef · 08/28/2011, 03:01 PM

The question is, What size protein skimmer do I need and why? I don't want an answer like the biggest you can afford or 1 1/2 times recommended or this brand is the best.

I want to know why and here is why. I have a 450gal mixed reef with 30 fish, I feed the fish everyday and sometimes twice a day. I also feed the reef twice a week. I use a Euro-Reef RS250 which is rated for half the tank. My readings are all near zero and my corals and fish have more than doubled in the last year. I have no problems with my tank, but have been told many times that my skimmer is to small.

WHY?

89Foxbody · 08/28/2011, 04:39 PM

Most people would recommend, like you said, "overskimming," however, I think the saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" applies here. If you aren't having any issues and your parameters are acceptable, why mess with it?

scarface70706 · 08/28/2011, 04:49 PM

if i was you i would go plus one with your skimmer. im too looking for a skimmer for my 90 gal. with my 90 gallons and the 25 gallon sump im thinking of going with the swc 160 which is rated up to 150 gallons. the bio load should be between heavy and medium load. theres no need to double rate your skimmer as you can see your skimmer is smaller then what your tank needs and your water readings are fine. IMO just go a little over of what you got if you really want to. (the reason why people go plus one is to have some cushion if something goes wrong.)

FreakonaReef · 08/29/2011, 07:50 AM

Thx. Anyone else have a good answer?

MattinIdaho · 09/11/2011, 06:38 PM

I'm hoping to get several different responses from people on this as well. For the same reason Freakonareef asked.
I bought a used 120 with a 40 gallon sump. It came with a Aqua Med Blue 1000 skimmer which is rated for 125 gallons. When I went to look at the tank when it was setup it was beautiful. I didn't know enough to even ask more about it other than just to notice what a nice setup it was.
I have it set up now and it is definitely pulling skimmate everyday. I am wanting to upgrade but question if I really need to. I also question how big I need to go if I do.
I'm as guilty as most people of wanting to have a diverse tank which pushes me into the heavy bioload zone I suppose.
One way I look at it is that if I were to upgrade to a NWB 150 it would be more than I have right now and right now I have the money for something in that range.
I know there are people out there who have better answers for this. Let this be a learning experience for me.

whitepickle · 09/12/2011, 07:46 AM

Skimmer ratings are like a cable guy appointment. "I'll be there between 8:00 and 5:00." I had an ASM G-2, rated for 200 gallons, on a heavily stocked 150. It did fine. A few years later I wanted something new. No real reason. I have a small space for skimmer, so choices were limited. I got an reef octopus extreme xs 160, rated for 160. Most people would say I should get double the skimmer I have, but I couldn't fit it. This thing collects more in 1 day than the ASM did in a week. And it's rated 40 gallons less. If you're doing fine, then leave it.

drunkfish3 · 09/12/2011, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreakonaReef

Thx. Anyone else have a good answer?

How often do you do water changes and how much water do you change?

08/28/2011, 03:01 PM	#1
FreakonaReef Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: N. Las Vegas, NV Posts: 176	What Size Protien Skimmer? The question is, What size protein skimmer do I need and why? I don't want an answer like the biggest you can afford or 1 1/2 times recommended or this brand is the best. I want to know why and here is why. I have a 450gal mixed reef with 30 fish, I feed the fish everyday and sometimes twice a day. I also feed the reef twice a week. I use a Euro-Reef RS250 which is rated for half the tank. My readings are all near zero and my corals and fish have more than doubled in the last year. I have no problems with my tank, but have been told many times that my skimmer is to small. WHY?

08/28/2011, 04:39 PM	#2
89Foxbody Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Norwich, CT Posts: 1,532	Most people would recommend, like you said, "overskimming," however, I think the saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" applies here. If you aren't having any issues and your parameters are acceptable, why mess with it? __________________ Red Sea Max 130D Mixed Reef: ReefKeeper2, Rapid-LED retrofit, MiniMaxx Reactor, Tunze 9001 Skimmer, 2x Jebao RW-4, 2x Maxi-Jet 600 returns, 2x Koralia Nano 425

09/11/2011, 06:38 PM	#5
MattinIdaho Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Teton, Idaho Posts: 229	I'm hoping to get several different responses from people on this as well. For the same reason Freakonareef asked. I bought a used 120 with a 40 gallon sump. It came with a Aqua Med Blue 1000 skimmer which is rated for 125 gallons. When I went to look at the tank when it was setup it was beautiful. I didn't know enough to even ask more about it other than just to notice what a nice setup it was. I have it set up now and it is definitely pulling skimmate everyday. I am wanting to upgrade but question if I really need to. I also question how big I need to go if I do. I'm as guilty as most people of wanting to have a diverse tank which pushes me into the heavy bioload zone I suppose. One way I look at it is that if I were to upgrade to a NWB 150 it would be more than I have right now and right now I have the money for something in that range. I know there are people out there who have better answers for this. Let this be a learning experience for me. __________________ 180 Gallon Mixed Reef Current Tank Info: 180 Gallon Mixed Reef, SRO XP3000 Skimmer, Reefkeeper Lite Controller, Mix of 4 Koralia 5's and 6's on a Smartwave, Eheim Jager 250x2

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08/28/2011, 04:49 PM	#3
scarface70706 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 1,364	if i was you i would go plus one with your skimmer. im too looking for a skimmer for my 90 gal. with my 90 gallons and the 25 gallon sump im thinking of going with the swc 160 which is rated up to 150 gallons. the bio load should be between heavy and medium load. theres no need to double rate your skimmer as you can see your skimmer is smaller then what your tank needs and your water readings are fine. IMO just go a little over of what you got if you really want to. (the reason why people go plus one is to have some cushion if something goes wrong.)

08/29/2011, 07:50 AM	#4
FreakonaReef Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: N. Las Vegas, NV Posts: 176	Thx. Anyone else have a good answer?

09/12/2011, 07:46 AM	#6
whitepickle Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Port St. Lucie, FL Posts: 53	Skimmer ratings are like a cable guy appointment. "I'll be there between 8:00 and 5:00." I had an ASM G-2, rated for 200 gallons, on a heavily stocked 150. It did fine. A few years later I wanted something new. No real reason. I have a small space for skimmer, so choices were limited. I got an reef octopus extreme xs 160, rated for 160. Most people would say I should get double the skimmer I have, but I couldn't fit it. This thing collects more in 1 day than the ASM did in a week. And it's rated 40 gallons less. If you're doing fine, then leave it.