Skimmers

[WatercolorsGuy]

Is there such a thing as too big? How do you figure skimmer size?

View attachment 11773
Image from R2R

 

[cdrewferd]

I do think that you can go too big. There is a huge thread on RC about this. Basically the height of the skimmer isn't going to matter as long as you have the pump to fill it with bubbles. The most important thing is to make sure that you don't get a skimmer with too big of a neck. If the neck is too big for your bioload, then you won't be able to fully utilize it's capacity.

 

[WatercolorsGuy]

Re: Skimmers

The neck being the foam concentrator before the cup? How do you decide proper size? Or would the foam eventually make it to the cup regardless?

 

[cdrewferd]

No clue, but that's what I remember reading.

 

[WatercolorsGuy]

Re: Skimmers

I have an undersized skimmer on my system. I empty the cup every other day, skimmimg pretty dry. It is dark and thick skimmate. Just trying to see what upgrades I need to do eventually.

 

[cdrewferd]

I have a way oversized skimmer on my tank. It's rated for a heavy stocked 200. I have maybe 140g of water volume and 10 fish, so not a huge bioload. It pulls almost black crap and I only have to clean it every 2 weeks because it starts smelling up the house.

 

[Walkpraz]

The only con of buying a super sized skimmer is that it will pull al the gunk out of your water then stop pulling skimmate. Although relatively oversized is beneficial, as far as flexability goes. I have an ASM g 2 running a Sedra 5000 on my 40b about 60gallon total water volume.

 

[280g-reefman]

I have always based it off of what tank size they are rated for and then moved to the next size up because i usually stock heavy on both the coral and fish. That method has always worked nicely for me.

 

[WatercolorsGuy]

Re: Skimmers

Ok thanks everyone for the helpful advice. I definitely need to upgrade.

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[daverf]

That barbie doll sure looks life like next to your skimmers, michael.

Interesting that there's a thread discussing that overskimming is possible, as it seems most guidance out there is you cannot overskim and one should buy a skimmer as big as their budget/sump allow. Maybe some kinds of corals or filter feeders in aquariums have a diminished nutrient supply if skimming is too heavy? Seems the advantages to overskimming would still override.