Skimmer help for a new build

[LightingBug]

I tried to read through the Skimmer sticky but it's 150+ pages long...

Building a new system, a 32EXT and a 11EXT as a display fuge tied together and going into the same sump. The sump is a Fiji-24, which should run around 12-15 gallons when in use. All of those are without displacement from rock, equipment, etc. I think it will be around 50-ish gallons +/-.

I have an aquamaxx DRC-2 which shows a rating of 160 gallons with a heavy bioload.

My question is - will this be too big for this volume? I would rather know now while it is still new in box so I can get something different if needed.

 

[blaxsun]

It's definitely overkill, yes. I would try to find a more compact skimmer (Reef Octopus, etc.) to give you more flexibility in your sump.

 

[LightingBug]

It's definitely overkill, yes. I would try to find a more compact skimmer (Reef Octopus, etc.) to give you more flexibility in your sump.

Got it - I originally had the DRC-3 but it physically didn't fit in the chamber.

I guess it's back to skimmer research.

One more question - given this volume and I have the potential to have a heavy bioload, any advice on the rating of the skimmer? Like should I be looking for something rated for slightly higher than my volume or try to match closely?
I would like to have a skimmer I can grow on down the line if that is feasible.

 

[blaxsun]

Got it - I originally had the DRC-3 but it physically didn't fit in the chamber.

I guess it's back to skimmer research.

One more question - given this volume and I have the potential to have a heavy bioload, any advice on the rating of the skimmer? Like should I be looking for something rated for slightly higher than my volume or try to match closely?
I would like to have a skimmer I can grow on down the line if that is feasible.

It's always a toss-up between making the best utilization of space (now) and having a skimmer to meet expanded requirements (later).

It's not so much the rating but the footprint - I think you can find more compact skimmers (with the pump inside as opposed to outside). Something that's rated for a high bioload in the 80-100 gallon range would probably be a good fit.

 

[LightingBug]

FWIW, I ordered an Adaptive Reef A6 DC 200.
It has interchangeable necks for the future. The 2" neck shows about 90 gallons and it can grow up to the 4" neck which is rated for 200 gallons at high bioload.

Also was one of the 2 favorite skimmers by BRS.
Thanks for the advice and also thanks for the relief for my back.

After ordering this my wallet shrunk so much it helped my bad back lol.