Skimmer for 60 gallons of water for SPS tank.

JMurphy97 · 07/25/2013, 09:12 AM

I have a 40B with a 29 gallon sump that is holding maybe 15 gallons of water. I do have maybe 15 pounds of rock in the return section. I'm running the ebay sc-65 skimmer. I bought it when I had a 29 gallon with 10 gallon sump so I didn't have the space for anything larger.

I'm having a issue with some kind of algae and I'm guessing nutrients. I don't have a test for phosphates right but I have algae and my SPS coral have been struggling.

Parameters:
Temp- 77
SG- 1.025
Cal- 420
Alk- 11.5 dkh
Mag-1,350
Nitrate-0
Amonia- 0
Nitrite- 0
Reef crystal salt
Kalk-ATO drip

I'm looking at the reef octopus diablo xs 160 skimmer and the bubble magus nac-7 skimmer or the ebay sca-302. I'm pretty sure they are the same thing. If it's your money/tank what are you using? I'm down to these because any larger skimmer won't fit. I've been told to go "plus one" for skimmers. I would guess I have no more water volume then 60 gallons total.

I hope to keep SPS with a few LPS. I do 5 gallon water changes once a week and only feed the fish once a day with frozen food. I have two clowns only too. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Is any other skimmers that would fit this that are better/cheaper?

JMurphy97 · 07/25/2013, 09:25 AM

Also I run gfo and change that out with every water change and have a a radion running 18k for 8 hours max of 70% with a ramp up/down of an hour each side (10 total hours).

YoungREEFA · 07/25/2013, 10:05 AM

Test your phosphates man!! Get a kit or checker

YoungREEFA · 07/25/2013, 10:06 AM

Also the calcium could use a bump and a lower alk could help

lurch71 · 07/25/2013, 10:10 AM

I would checkout the sec 120 cone skimmer. I have the 160 and I'm very happy with it.

lurch71 · 07/25/2013, 10:12 AM

Sorry darn spell check its swc 120 cone skimmer

JMurphy97 · 07/25/2013, 11:00 AM

Lower alk for this slime type of algae? I will get a phosphate test eventually but right now I know that I have a problem with it considering the algae. Or am I wrong?

TimeConsumer · 07/25/2013, 04:31 PM

The XS 160 is too big for a 40g, I have to run mine a little wet on my 75g to get a steady foam head.

reeftivo · 07/25/2013, 05:49 PM

i'll put in my .02 for the aquamaxx coneS CO1.

JMurphy97 · 07/25/2013, 07:23 PM

That aquamaxx coneS CO1 looks nice. I feel better about that pump then the atman 2500. Lower running watts too. That skimmer would be plus one for my size of 60 gallons roughly?

reeftivo · 07/25/2013, 09:15 PM

It's rated for 175 light bio load but I believe it would be more like 120 to 150.

So the answer is yes +1 for you.

07/25/2013, 09:12 AM	#1
JMurphy97 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 397	Skimmer for 60 gallons of water for SPS tank. I have a 40B with a 29 gallon sump that is holding maybe 15 gallons of water. I do have maybe 15 pounds of rock in the return section. I'm running the ebay sc-65 skimmer. I bought it when I had a 29 gallon with 10 gallon sump so I didn't have the space for anything larger. I'm having a issue with some kind of algae and I'm guessing nutrients. I don't have a test for phosphates right but I have algae and my SPS coral have been struggling. Parameters: Temp- 77 SG- 1.025 Cal- 420 Alk- 11.5 dkh Mag-1,350 Nitrate-0 Amonia- 0 Nitrite- 0 Reef crystal salt Kalk-ATO drip I'm looking at the reef octopus diablo xs 160 skimmer and the bubble magus nac-7 skimmer or the ebay sca-302. I'm pretty sure they are the same thing. If it's your money/tank what are you using? I'm down to these because any larger skimmer won't fit. I've been told to go "plus one" for skimmers. I would guess I have no more water volume then 60 gallons total. I hope to keep SPS with a few LPS. I do 5 gallon water changes once a week and only feed the fish once a day with frozen food. I have two clowns only too. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Is any other skimmers that would fit this that are better/cheaper? __________________ 40 Breeder + 29g sump Glass-Holes 300 Overflow - Reef Dynamics INS-100 Skimmer Eheim compact 2000 Return Pump - 2-Vortech MP10es Vortech Radion Lighting - Reef Keeper Lite Controller BRS Reactor-

07/25/2013, 09:25 AM	#2
JMurphy97 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 397	Also I run gfo and change that out with every water change and have a a radion running 18k for 8 hours max of 70% with a ramp up/down of an hour each side (10 total hours). __________________ 40 Breeder + 29g sump Glass-Holes 300 Overflow - Reef Dynamics INS-100 Skimmer Eheim compact 2000 Return Pump - 2-Vortech MP10es Vortech Radion Lighting - Reef Keeper Lite Controller BRS Reactor-

07/25/2013, 11:00 AM	#7
JMurphy97 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 397	Lower alk for this slime type of algae? I will get a phosphate test eventually but right now I know that I have a problem with it considering the algae. Or am I wrong? __________________ 40 Breeder + 29g sump Glass-Holes 300 Overflow - Reef Dynamics INS-100 Skimmer Eheim compact 2000 Return Pump - 2-Vortech MP10es Vortech Radion Lighting - Reef Keeper Lite Controller BRS Reactor-

07/25/2013, 04:31 PM	#8
TimeConsumer Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: New Orleans, La Posts: 1,919	The XS 160 is too big for a 40g, I have to run mine a little wet on my 75g to get a steady foam head. __________________ Steve - Retired from reefing, for now.

07/25/2013, 05:49 PM	#9
reeftivo Skim junkie Join Date: May 2008 Location: chino, CA Posts: 3,417	i'll put in my .02 for the aquamaxx coneS CO1. __________________ I told you not to be stupid you moron!(Stern) Current Tank Info: 60 gal cube/20g tideline sump-mixed reef, Aquamaxx c-tech Ca Rx, Akula 160 skimmer, paxbellum N18, mitras LX7 lighting with T-5s, apex controller

07/25/2013, 10:05 AM	#3
YoungREEFA Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Indianapolis IN Posts: 895	Test your phosphates man!! Get a kit or checker

07/25/2013, 10:06 AM	#4
YoungREEFA Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Indianapolis IN Posts: 895	Also the calcium could use a bump and a lower alk could help

07/25/2013, 10:10 AM	#5
lurch71 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: oregon Posts: 55	I would checkout the sec 120 cone skimmer. I have the 160 and I'm very happy with it.

07/25/2013, 10:12 AM	#6
lurch71 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: oregon Posts: 55	Sorry darn spell check its swc 120 cone skimmer

07/25/2013, 07:23 PM	#10
JMurphy97 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 397	That aquamaxx coneS CO1 looks nice. I feel better about that pump then the atman 2500. Lower running watts too. That skimmer would be plus one for my size of 60 gallons roughly? __________________ 40 Breeder + 29g sump Glass-Holes 300 Overflow - Reef Dynamics INS-100 Skimmer Eheim compact 2000 Return Pump - 2-Vortech MP10es Vortech Radion Lighting - Reef Keeper Lite Controller BRS Reactor-

07/25/2013, 09:15 PM	#11
reeftivo Skim junkie Join Date: May 2008 Location: chino, CA Posts: 3,417	It's rated for 175 light bio load but I believe it would be more like 120 to 150. So the answer is yes +1 for you. __________________ I told you not to be stupid you moron!(Stern) Current Tank Info: 60 gal cube/20g tideline sump-mixed reef, Aquamaxx c-tech Ca Rx, Akula 160 skimmer, paxbellum N18, mitras LX7 lighting with T-5s, apex controller