Can you over-skim?

DMBFan · 12/04/2012, 04:16 PM

If I bought a skimmer rated for 260+ gallons and put it in my 120 gallon... is this an issue?

grcforce327 · 12/04/2012, 05:00 PM

Probably not,but could you post the skimmer type, as some are overrated.

Painted skin · 12/04/2012, 06:55 PM

What is it rated for heavy bio load?

DMBFan · 12/04/2012, 07:00 PM

I don't have a specific skimmer in mind yet. I'm just asking the question now before I buy something that's WAY too big for my (currently) low bio-load 120. New setup, so about to start the cycle.

horwitzs · 12/04/2012, 08:53 PM

Good thinking, easier to justify an upgrade to the wife when some of your equipment is already for the bigger tank

NemosNems · 12/04/2012, 09:00 PM

You can oversize skimmers a little as a lot of raitings are un-realistic (skimmers rated for 250 are really only good for a 180 or so normally stocked tank).

But if you go to big (mainly in neck size). Then yes you can have a skimmer that is to big and will perform poorly.

Palting · 12/04/2012, 10:35 PM

Most say double the tank size is best, like a skimmer rated for a 300 gallon for your 120. I have a skimmer rated for 300 for my 150 gallon tank, the whole system volume is about 200 gallons, with a flow of 1400gph through the sump.

If your question is a little more controversial, like say, can you remove too many good things by overskimming, then you may get a lot of controversy. There are actually several threads on the issue of how overskimming can become a bad thing, or how too much of a good thing can be bad. I am not well versed enough to give you a good summary, but either someone more knowledgeable than me can or you can do search.

Jpruitt546 · 12/04/2012, 11:16 PM

I agree with Palting i have a skimmer rated for 120 gallons and i dont have any problems with coral growth. But i would do some research and go with what you want.

Painted skin · 12/05/2012, 02:19 AM

General basic rule say go with a plus 1 in size. You want to look at medium-heavy load rating most of us keep medium to heavy, because we are like little kids in a candy store when we go to the LFS or online.

Ocean Paradise · 12/05/2012, 06:58 AM

I used to run a CC skimmer for 120g on my 30g tank but never had any problems with my corals before.

12/04/2012, 04:16 PM	#1
DMBFan Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: 92843 Posts: 133	Can you over-skim? If I bought a skimmer rated for 260+ gallons and put it in my 120 gallon... is this an issue? __________________ So long and thanks for all the fish Current Tank Info: All Empty

12/04/2012, 07:00 PM	#4
DMBFan Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: 92843 Posts: 133	I don't have a specific skimmer in mind yet. I'm just asking the question now before I buy something that's WAY too big for my (currently) low bio-load 120. New setup, so about to start the cycle. __________________ So long and thanks for all the fish Current Tank Info: All Empty

12/04/2012, 08:53 PM	#5
horwitzs Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Kitsap Penninsula Posts: 470	Good thinking, easier to justify an upgrade to the wife when some of your equipment is already for the bigger tank __________________ -Seth Current Tank Info: 120g fresh, 150g salt.

12/04/2012, 10:35 PM	#7
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	Most say double the tank size is best, like a skimmer rated for a 300 gallon for your 120. I have a skimmer rated for 300 for my 150 gallon tank, the whole system volume is about 200 gallons, with a flow of 1400gph through the sump. If your question is a little more controversial, like say, can you remove too many good things by overskimming, then you may get a lot of controversy. There are actually several threads on the issue of how overskimming can become a bad thing, or how too much of a good thing can be bad. I am not well versed enough to give you a good summary, but either someone more knowledgeable than me can or you can do search. __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

12/04/2012, 05:00 PM	#2
grcforce327 Moved On Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 395	Probably not,but could you post the skimmer type, as some are overrated.

12/04/2012, 06:55 PM	#3
Painted skin Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 679	What is it rated for heavy bio load?

12/04/2012, 09:00 PM	#6
NemosNems Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 10	You can oversize skimmers a little as a lot of raitings are un-realistic (skimmers rated for 250 are really only good for a 180 or so normally stocked tank). But if you go to big (mainly in neck size). Then yes you can have a skimmer that is to big and will perform poorly.

12/04/2012, 11:16 PM	#8
Jpruitt546 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Sherman TX Posts: 74	I agree with Palting i have a skimmer rated for 120 gallons and i dont have any problems with coral growth. But i would do some research and go with what you want.

12/05/2012, 02:19 AM	#9
Painted skin Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 679	General basic rule say go with a plus 1 in size. You want to look at medium-heavy load rating most of us keep medium to heavy, because we are like little kids in a candy store when we go to the LFS or online.

12/05/2012, 06:58 AM	#10
Ocean Paradise Moved On Join Date: Dec 2012 Posts: 6	I used to run a CC skimmer for 120g on my 30g tank but never had any problems with my corals before.