Help me pick the right sized skimmer

[BriansBrain]

I’ll be transferring two aquariums into one larger one fish, coral, rock. The system will be about 210-220gal and a display of 180. I have a decent sized fish population with a mix of nano sized to larger tangs and fox face.

Keeping the filtration simple with an open sump, ReefMat 1200, and a skimmer. I’ve tried refugiums and scrubbers in the past, but they’re not for me.

My nutrients as of recently have been high. Nitrates in the 20-30ppm range and phosphates of 0.4-0.6ppm. I’d like to get back within “normal” range. When I was in that “normal” things jived the best for me personally. I just don’t want to run multiple means of smaller filtration anymore.

I’ve preferred Reef Octopus’s line of skimmers to others I’ve tried over 10ish years. I’d also consider Royal Exclusive Double Cone if a Black Friday sale is good enough, but they’re just soo expensive.

With current higher nutrients and fish load should I get the larger 250/220 size? Will the filter roller negate the need for the larger size and go for the 200? Decisions..

 

[ReefGeezer]

I'm a fan of the Reef Octo External skimmers. Using a separate feed pump allows you to modify flow through the skimmer without effecting the air column. In addition, the level inside the skimmer is easily adjustable, rock solid, and not dependent on sump water level. If you have a large enough sump, they can be used internally as well as the pump is submersible. An EXT 200 would probably suit your needs.

 

[BriansBrain]

I'm a fan of the Reef Octo External skimmers. Using a separate feed pump allows you to modify flow through the skimmer without effecting the air column. In addition, the level inside the skimmer is easily adjustable, rock solid, and not dependent on sump water level. If you have a large enough sump, they can be used internally as well as the pump is submersible. An EXT 200 would probably suit your needs.

I’ll look into a 200 recirculating. I’ve never had one but have the space in sump for one this time. Thanks

 

[MonsoonMan&RainChild]

I’m currently setting up a tank with a more complicated sump and it’s cool, but I can see myself doing what you’re doing on a future tank and doing an open sump with a roller filter, skimmer, and a return pump. That’s the way!

 

[BriansBrain]

I'm a fan of the Reef Octo External skimmers. Using a separate feed pump allows you to modify flow through the skimmer without effecting the air column. In addition, the level inside the skimmer is easily adjustable, rock solid, and not dependent on sump water level. If you have a large enough sump, they can be used internally as well as the pump is submersible. An EXT 200 would probably suit your needs.

I’d also assume I’d still be able to run recirculating co2 scrubber?

 

[BriansBrain]

I’m currently setting up a tank with a more complicated sump and it’s cool, but I can see myself doing what you’re doing on a future tank and doing an open sump with a roller filter, skimmer, and a return pump. That’s the way!

Yea my last sumps have been pretty restricting for me with multiple chambers etc. Personally I’m not a gear/tech junky or plan to win an award for nicest sump lol. I just want space for as big minimal equipment as I need and maybe still room for a sump frag tank to get rid of display frag racks

 

[Kodski]

I’d also assume I’d still be able to run recirculating co2 scrubber?

Yes you can. I also can vouch for the recirculating Reef Octopus skimmers. They are the king of skimmers IMO. Its basically impossible to oversize them too. I ran the RO 250-EXT on my 80 gallon display and it worked AMAZINGLY. I have since moved the sump to under the aquarium and lost room for the EXT skimmer. I now have a RO Elite 150-SSS and its the second best skimmer that I've used, but it doesn't come close to touching the EXT. I can't wait for the day I can put my 250-EXT back to work.

 

[mcarroll]

With current higher nutrients and fish load should I get the larger 250/220 size? Will the filter roller negate the need for the larger size and go for the 200? Decisions..

With the pics, I can't see siding with you on any of the changes that break continuity with what I'm looking at.

In case it helps your decision making....your nutrient levels are only "high" according to artificial limits some folks took too much to heart back (roughly) in the 2000's.

According to corals, your levels are perfect – I mean just look at em', they're screaming it at you!

But even more empirically that's true. I have saved dozens of scientific journal articles (check the coral or nutrient sections of my blog for links) that talk all about the subject...and there just isn't a "too high" to worry about. The only worry is having too little (especially too little P) – which can be devastating.

Your N and P are in good shape....you just have a high bio-load. Your corals are obviously well adapted though, so don't fix what isn't broken! :)

FYI, I would only use the roller if you had a detritus problem....but with a tank full of corals like that, I would look at detritus as a food source and add another pump to keep it moving (so a coral can eat it) instead of an export device.

As for the skimmer, larger is probably better...just make sure you're oversizing enough. All the choices are fine so far.

Have you looked at Tunze? (...for pumps too? Stream 6105's are supreme in a 180....like they were made for it. So strong it's crazy.)

 

[RobertK]

20% off at royalexclusiv.com next week!