Royal Exclusiv Skimmer Sizing

[AmateurAlchemist]

Hi folks, I'm looking for some feedback on skimmer sizing from those that may have a similar size tank and/or skimmer.

Red Sea S-850 - 680L display, probably 100L worth of rock, moderately stocked, moderately fed; with ReefMat 1200.

For context, it's currently running on an Octo Elite 150-int from a previous tank but it's overwhelmed.

I'm weighing up the Royal Exclusiv Supermarin 160 vs DeLuxe 200 Light.

SM is rated for 400-1000L so I'm probably bang in the middle of it's operating range.

DL is rated for "up to" 1200L, so, especially with the ReefMat and moderate bioload, it's potentially oversized, but they do say it has a wider operating range than other skimmers.

Does anyone have any experience with these two skimmers specifically? What size tank do you run them on and is it well sized? Do you run a bigger or smaller skimmer on the same size of tank?

 

[Pod_01]

I do not have those skimmers but I use Royal Exclusiv Bubble King Double Cone 130 on my Red Sea 250 system.
I don’t have any roller, I only use skimmer and GAC for filtration and although that is right size skimmer for my tank I wish there one size smaller.

When Royal Exclusiv states the rating they do mean it, if you have a roller you should go one size down vs. what they recommend.

You should size the BK skimmer based on fish population not corals, corals ack like additional filtration in your tank. Also use the display size for sizing the skimmer, do not include the sump volume. Sump is part of the filtration…

If you oversize Bubble King skimmer it will skim inconsistent and will not be able to create proper foam. Think of it as expensive air stone.

I do have medium to heavy fish load and few large corals and as a result I could use smidge smaller skimmer.

You may want to reach out to Royal Exclusiv and inquire what they recommend.
When I inquired they actually suggested the BK Double Cone 130, my intention was to buy larger skimmer.

Good luck,

 

[AmateurAlchemist]

I do not have those skimmers but I use Royal Exclusiv Bubble King Double Cone 130 on my Red Sea 250 system.
I don’t have any roller, I only use skimmer and GAC for filtration and although that is right size skimmer for my tank I wish there one size smaller.

When Royal Exclusiv states the rating they do mean it, if you have a roller you should go one size down vs. what they recommend.

You should size the BK skimmer based on fish population not corals, corals ack like additional filtration in your tank. Also use the display size for sizing the skimmer, do not include the sump volume. Sump is part of the filtration…

If you oversize Bubble King skimmer it will skim inconsistent and will not be able to create proper foam. Think of it as expensive air stone.

I do have medium to heavy fish load and few large corals and as a result I could use smidge smaller skimmer.

You may want to reach out to Royal Exclusiv and inquire what they recommend.
When I inquired they actually suggested the BK Double Cone 130, my intention was to buy larger skimmer.

Good luck,

That's good context, thanks! I was considering the Double Cone but the 180 is rated for 500L which seems a little low and the 200 is 1000L which is almost certainly oversized. I need a Double Cone 190 :D

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

Hi folks, I'm looking for some feedback on skimmer sizing from those that may have a similar size tank and/or skimmer.

Red Sea S-850 - 680L display, probably 100L worth of rock, moderately stocked, moderately fed; with ReefMat 1200.

For context, it's currently running on an Octo Elite 150-int from a previous tank but it's overwhelmed.

I'm weighing up the Royal Exclusiv Supermarin 160 vs DeLuxe 200 Light.

SM is rated for 400-1000L so I'm probably bang in the middle of it's operating range.

DL is rated for "up to" 1200L, so, especially with the ReefMat and moderate bioload, it's potentially oversized, but they do say it has a wider operating range than other skimmers.

Does anyone have any experience with these two skimmers specifically? What size tank do you run them on and is it well sized? Do you run a bigger or smaller skimmer on the same size of tank?

For comparisons - I have 525 gallons 28 fish and I feed 5 times a day frozen and 4 times a day flake. I have 2 1200 rollers and a Royal Exclusive 200 deluxe. Greatest skimmer I have ever owned. I’m at 32 watts and it works flawlessly. Keeps solid foam, will skim anyway I want from super dry to super wet. My collection cup that I feed to is pitch black. I vent it outside. The amount that this pulls out is insane.

 

[backbayreef]

I never understood the oversized skimming part. I usually get the biggest skimmer I can fit inside the sump (and within budget) for many years without issues. I would rather oversize than undersize the skimmer, a vital part of your filtration and adds oxygenation. I’m currently running a BK300 on a 450gal and super happy with it.

 

[AmateurAlchemist]

For comparisons - I have 525 gallons 28 fish and I feed 5 times a day frozen and 4 times a day flake. I have 2 1200 rollers and a Royal Exclusive 200 deluxe. Greatest skimmer I have ever owned. I’m at 32 watts and it works flawlessly. Keeps solid foam, will skim anyway I want from super dry to super wet. My collection cup that I feed to is pitch black. I vent it outside. The amount that this pulls out is insane.

Good to know, sounds like it's likely going to be too big for my tank!

I've reached out to Royal Exclusiv so will see what they recommend and report back.

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

I should note, due to using 2 rollers I undersized by design.

 

[AmateurAlchemist]

Royal Exclusiv (Germany) came back to me with an excellent, detailed reply. In summary, their advice was to double their recommended tank size when using a fleece filter, and suggested I go with the Double Cone 180.

I'm going to tinker with the current skimmer for a few weeks just in case something transient has set it off. I must say, I am a little nervous about going with something so "small", but they are the experts...!

It's not often a company will steer you away from their flagship and towards something considerably cheaper!

 

[WhatCouldGoWrong71]

Yeah, that’s what I did. It’s working perfectly. By water volume I am nearly double, for sure.

 

[Daoheng_Hu]

I think the BKmini200 or BKD200 is suitable for your tank. Double their recommended tank size is sensible choice.

 

[spsick]

They size their skimmers for display size in gallons and heavy load. I was going to suggest to size down with a fleece roller, but looks like they’ve already given that advice so that’s great!