Protein Skimmer suggestions

[wunderlong88]

I'm am setting up 180 gal display (+40 gal. in the sump). Planning a large refugium area but it will take some time to get the macros going in there. I've considering not using a skimmer thinking eventually my fuge will take care of nutrients but I know it will be awhile and I don't know if I should get a skimmer for the early stages to help keep water quality good and hopefully water changes down to a reasonable amount/schedule.

I'm thinking undersizing since at first I don't need as much (my load will be light for a long time). By the time the load is going up I should have the fuge more mature.

I am looking for a reasonably priced option and am not sure what to consider. I've watched videos until my mind is in overload. I looked at Bubble Magus Curve 5 and Curve 7. I know 5 is under but thought maybe it would fit my needs.

I've considered just waiting and seeing how badly I need one at all.

Please any advice or suggestions on skimmers is welcome.

Thanks!

 

[Troylee]

Do a curve 7 or 9 on that tank! The 5 is waaaay too small and will be a waste! You’ll find you’ll always run the skimmer it adds lots of benefits.

 

[Catawba_Valley_Reef]

Agree, put an appropriately sized skimmer on there. What if the fuge doesn’t work out if you can’t get the macros to grow?

Plus a skimmer will help oxygenate the water and drive up ph.

 

[ChrisfromBrick]

can’t go wrong with bubble magus, though i’ve never owned such a large tank

 

[lombeard]

What type of stocking are you planning for the tank? If it's just zoas for instance then a skimmer is less of a requirement than if it was sps dominant.

 

[wunderlong88]

What type of stocking are you planning for the tank? If it's just zoas for instance then a skimmer is less of a requirement than if it was sps dominant.

Good question. I didn't think about specifying. It will be soft corals, fish, inverts. Probably medium to heavy load, if all goes well. Also using Australian Live Rock mixed with Gulf Live Rock and sand.

 

[wunderlong88]

I see the Curve 9 is discontinued on BRS. I wonder why?

 

[Prowler66gt]

I'm partial to Reef Octopus, I have the SRO2000 and love it. The SRO3000 would be a good fit for your tank IMO

 

[MarineandReef Jaron]

I am partial to traditional skimmer designs with the pump outside the skimmer body. I find them much easier to maintain. I would look at a Classic 200 INT as a budget option and a Tunze 9415 as a premium option. The Tunze Skimmers are way underrated IMO

 

[Tangdora]

Reef octo regal series is great. Currently running there External version.

 

[exnisstech]

I don't find a skimmer is always necessary. I currently have 5 tanks ranging from 330g down to 8g (8g is new) including a 65g acro tank and only the 330 has a skimmer. I run one in that tank because I have a huge bioload due to my fish which include some large tangs.
I never had much luck reducing nutrients with a macro algae fuge in the past tho it seems many folks do. I do find them a great place pods and other small critters to reproduce.