oversized protein skimmer

AdamMillerDO · 01/20/2012, 07:45 PM

Is over sizing your skimmer a good idea? I am have a 75 gallon display with a 20 gallon sump/fuge. I have ordered a Reef Octopus 150. Are there any problems with oversizing as such?

Aquatron · 01/20/2012, 07:52 PM

Hello,

That skimmer will be fine as having a .5 to 1. over SIZE helps incase there is a problem with DT.

zigzag1 · 01/20/2012, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdamMillerDO

Is over sizing your skimmer a good idea? I am have a 75 gallon display with a 20 gallon sump/fuge. I have ordered a Reef Octopus 150. Are there any problems with oversizing as such?

Way, way oversized can be a problem, as the skimmer will stop skimming and seem to never produce foam. But I think you will be fine with your setup and skimmer. Even more so as your tank becomes well stocked. JMTC & GL!

RyanSweatt2004 · 01/20/2012, 09:24 PM

I run a SRO 3000 on my 120 gallon reef with mild bioload of maybe a dozen fish and a cleanup crew. It never has any issues pulling a good amount of dark crud. I even ran it for a while on my old 75 gallon before I upgraded to my 120 and it still pulled a ton of gunk out with even less fish load. Always builds an thick dark foam. I always try and buy a bigger skimmer and have never had any issues.

brob22 · 01/20/2012, 10:20 PM

i had an sro 5000 over my 50 gallon tank. it was way to big, pulled nothing out.

i now run the sro 1000 and its a perfect fit. the point is the sro 1000 seems to be a good oversized skimmer for my tank and any bigger would probably be less efficient.

Reef264 · 01/21/2012, 12:30 AM

45-60 gallons over rated is what I shoot for.

AC2020x · 06/25/2012, 10:37 AM

I have a reef octopus 150 that I used to use on my 125g. w/ 29g sump... Now I don't have the means for a 125g tank.. but I have two 29g tanks.. Would I be able to use that same skimmer do you think?? Probably 45ish g of water in the system. Or way to overkill?

Thanks

minireef30 · 06/25/2012, 11:42 AM

I use a older model xtreme 160 on my 30 cube and it pulls stuff all the time.
I do think something a little smaller would work better though.

aguz1126 · 06/25/2012, 11:48 AM

Great matching IMO

AC2020x · 06/25/2012, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by minireef30

I use a older model xtreme 160 on my 30 cube and it pulls stuff all the time.
I do think something a little smaller would work better though.

Perhaps I will try it and see how it works out and if I get any results... If not.. I guess I'll be looking for a smaller skimmer.

reefgeezer · 06/25/2012, 05:42 PM

Keep the skimmer you have. Spend the money on something else. If you think it is too efficient, put it on a timer.

AC2020x · 06/25/2012, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefgeezer

Keep the skimmer you have. Spend the money on something else. If you think it is too efficient, put it on a timer.

Cool.. thats what I'm thinking I will do.. I'm planning on getting a mp10 so that will save me money for that!

Thanks,
-AC

Crkbaby · 06/25/2012, 07:47 PM

I always go for double the skimming on my tanks it has worked well, I ran a turbo floater 1000 on my 40 gallon, and currently run a SRO 3000 and Vertex RE 200 on my 120 there is about 280 gallons in the system with my frag tank and sump but they both pull out tons. The SRO 150 is a good choice you could go one size higher I am sure. Besides when you go to upgrade it's nice not to have to buy a new one ^^

Carey1465 · 06/25/2012, 08:00 PM

Another thing to take in consideration is some of these skimmers are over rated. For instance when I first got into saltwater a couple years ago, I bought the coralife 220 for my 110 gal. That piece of crap barely worked and it was rated for a 220 gal. I would over skim!!

Preston7 · 06/25/2012, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carey1465

another thing to take in consideration is some of these skimmers are over rated. For instance when i first got into saltwater a couple years ago, i bought the coralife 220 for my 110 gal. That piece of crap barely worked and it was rated for a 220 gal. I would over skim!!

bingo!

Hyperion1337 · 06/25/2012, 10:05 PM

would a Euro Reef RS 135 with seadra 500 with modded mesh wheel be overkill for a 40 breeder (36"x18"x16") with a 20 gal. sump?

minireef30 · 06/25/2012, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hyperion1337

would a Euro Reef RS 135 with seadra 500 with modded mesh wheel be overkill for a 40 breeder (36"x18"x16") with a 20 gal. sump?

I would say no, should work fine if the tank is well stocked.
I had an old cs 6-3 on a 120 gallon and needed a bigger skimmer imho.

Hyperion1337 · 06/25/2012, 10:39 PM

the tank will be well stocked lol gonna be a mixed reef with a good amount of fish.

AC2020x · 06/26/2012, 09:25 AM

Yeah.. Id say that should be fine... I'm feeling much better about this decision now... Thanks guys! Now I just need to find a good stand for 29g tank and 29g sump

TimeConsumer · 06/26/2012, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC2020x

Yeah.. Id say that should be fine... I'm feeling much better about this decision now... Thanks guys! Now I just need to find a good stand for 29g tank and 29g sump

Just to pigyback on everyone else:

I have a 75g display with a Reef Octopus Extreme XS 160 (rated for 160g) working great. You're not oversized.

Hyperion1337 · 06/28/2012, 09:52 PM

How would a Aquamaxx HOB-1 do on a 40 breeder with 10 gallon sump? The tank would be mainly sps and would be medium to heavily stocked

Hyperion1337 · 06/29/2012, 09:02 AM

bump

Theo Reef · 03/04/2019, 06:09 PM

Bring up a very very old thread. I have always had a problem with a small skimmer. I just bought a sro 6000 ext for my 150 g reef. I know I probably made a mistake, but it’s done. What can I do to make this skimmer efficient?

freeswimmingfis · 03/04/2019, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Theo Reef

Bring up a very very old thread. I have always had a problem with a small skimmer. I just bought a sro 6000 ext for my 150 g reef. I know I probably made a mistake, but it’s done. What can I do to make this skimmer efficient?

I had a SRO 3000int on my 160. It was way too big, it never skimmed properly, was never able to keep a good skim froth head.
I sold it and bought a Lifereef, best, most consistent skimmer I’ve ever had.
Hope this helps.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Big E · 03/05/2019, 05:29 AM

I've always used oversized skimmers.......3-4 times manufacturing recommendations. I went 10+ years not having to use any other add ons (GFO, carbon dosing,algae filter, ect) to keep P04 & N03 in check.

Been using a Amaxx Cone S3 rated for 270g (heavy bioload) for the past 5 years on my 90g total volume tank.

A larger skimmer stays well ahead of actual nutrient production and why less comes out & less foam.

01/20/2012, 07:45 PM	#1
AdamMillerDO Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 14	oversized protein skimmer Is over sizing your skimmer a good idea? I am have a 75 gallon display with a 20 gallon sump/fuge. I have ordered a Reef Octopus 150. Are there any problems with oversizing as such?

01/20/2012, 07:52 PM	#2
Aquatron Refugium pat.#D414,242 Join Date: Dec 2011 Posts: 844	That Work's Hello, That skimmer will be fine as having a .5 to 1. over SIZE helps incase there is a problem with DT. __________________ Doctor "Aquatron" Mister "Spinner" 300 gallon TRUVU AquaSystem "Mod" w/ 150 gallon control center....... Build Thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2276765&highlight=300+dt+

01/21/2012, 12:30 AM	#6
Reef264 Where's The Reef? Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Southaven, Ms Posts: 2,098	45-60 gallons over rated is what I shoot for. __________________ I'd rather Die on my feet, than Live on my Knees. Current Tank Info: 150g SPS Reef, 2x250w 14k Pheonix Metal Halides w/T-5 Actinics, 2 Tunze 6095's, Tunze 7096 controller, Ozone, Precision Marine Skimmer, Reef Octopus Bio-Churn Bio Pellet Reactor, GFO & Carbon Reactor, Ozone Reactor, ATO, Reef Keeper.

06/25/2012, 10:37 AM	#7
AC2020x Marine Conservationist Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: State College, PA Posts: 501	I have a reef octopus 150 that I used to use on my 125g. w/ 29g sump... Now I don't have the means for a 125g tank.. but I have two 29g tanks.. Would I be able to use that same skimmer do you think?? Probably 45ish g of water in the system. Or way to overkill? Thanks __________________ In progress: 29g nano-ish reef with DIY LED Lights / Broken Down: 125g Predator FOWLR tank.

06/25/2012, 05:42 PM	#11
reefgeezer Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 2,621	Keep the skimmer you have. Spend the money on something else. If you think it is too efficient, put it on a timer. __________________ John, Current Tank Info: In-process, 90 Gallon SPS Reef

01/20/2012, 09:24 PM	#4
RyanSweatt2004 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: maine Posts: 590	I run a SRO 3000 on my 120 gallon reef with mild bioload of maybe a dozen fish and a cleanup crew. It never has any issues pulling a good amount of dark crud. I even ran it for a while on my old 75 gallon before I upgraded to my 120 and it still pulled a ton of gunk out with even less fish load. Always builds an thick dark foam. I always try and buy a bigger skimmer and have never had any issues.

01/20/2012, 10:20 PM	#5
brob22 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 1,114	i had an sro 5000 over my 50 gallon tank. it was way to big, pulled nothing out. i now run the sro 1000 and its a perfect fit. the point is the sro 1000 seems to be a good oversized skimmer for my tank and any bigger would probably be less efficient.

06/25/2012, 11:42 AM	#8
minireef30 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Bessemer City,NC Posts: 291	I use a older model xtreme 160 on my 30 cube and it pulls stuff all the time. I do think something a little smaller would work better though.

06/25/2012, 11:48 AM	#9
aguz1126 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Gates Chili (Rochester) Posts: 148	Great matching IMO

06/25/2012, 07:47 PM	#13
Crkbaby Registered Member. Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Cleveland Ohio Posts: 422	I always go for double the skimming on my tanks it has worked well, I ran a turbo floater 1000 on my 40 gallon, and currently run a SRO 3000 and Vertex RE 200 on my 120 there is about 280 gallons in the system with my frag tank and sump but they both pull out tons. The SRO 150 is a good choice you could go one size higher I am sure. Besides when you go to upgrade it's nice not to have to buy a new one ^^

06/25/2012, 08:00 PM	#14
Carey1465 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Atlanta, Ga Posts: 251	Another thing to take in consideration is some of these skimmers are over rated. For instance when I first got into saltwater a couple years ago, I bought the coralife 220 for my 110 gal. That piece of crap barely worked and it was rated for a 220 gal. I would over skim!!

06/25/2012, 10:05 PM	#16
Hyperion1337 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: South Miami Posts: 1,741	would a Euro Reef RS 135 with seadra 500 with modded mesh wheel be overkill for a 40 breeder (36"x18"x16") with a 20 gal. sump?

06/25/2012, 10:39 PM	#18
Hyperion1337 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: South Miami Posts: 1,741	the tank will be well stocked lol gonna be a mixed reef with a good amount of fish.

06/26/2012, 09:25 AM	#19
AC2020x Marine Conservationist Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: State College, PA Posts: 501	Yeah.. Id say that should be fine... I'm feeling much better about this decision now... Thanks guys! Now I just need to find a good stand for 29g tank and 29g sump __________________ In progress: 29g nano-ish reef with DIY LED Lights / Broken Down: 125g Predator FOWLR tank.

06/28/2012, 09:52 PM	#21
Hyperion1337 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: South Miami Posts: 1,741	How would a Aquamaxx HOB-1 do on a 40 breeder with 10 gallon sump? The tank would be mainly sps and would be medium to heavily stocked

06/29/2012, 09:02 AM	#22
Hyperion1337 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: South Miami Posts: 1,741	bump

03/04/2019, 06:09 PM	#23
Theo Reef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: South-Africa, Pretoria Posts: 41	Bring up a very very old thread. I have always had a problem with a small skimmer. I just bought a sro 6000 ext for my 150 g reef. I know I probably made a mistake, but it’s done. What can I do to make this skimmer efficient?

03/05/2019, 05:29 AM	#25
Big E Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: South Euclid, OH Posts: 4,281	I've always used oversized skimmers.......3-4 times manufacturing recommendations. I went 10+ years not having to use any other add ons (GFO, carbon dosing,algae filter, ect) to keep P04 & N03 in check. Been using a Amaxx Cone S3 rated for 270g (heavy bioload) for the past 5 years on my 90g total volume tank. A larger skimmer stays well ahead of actual nutrient production and why less comes out & less foam. __________________ 80g Rimless Acropora System reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2197142&page=31 Ed