Skimmer size

[robmiller2]

I recently came into a Bashsea 8-24 twisted skimmer. This skimmer is rated for 150-250 gallons. I am wondering if I ran it on a 75 with a 30 gallon sump would it be too much or just a lot more gas exchange. I have read both things here on the forums. I currently run a Reef Octopus 150SSS set to 50%.

 

[Dan_P]

I recently came into a Bashsea 8-24 twisted skimmer. This skimmer is rated for 150-250 gallons. I am wondering if I ran it on a 75 with a 30 gallon sump would it be too much or just a lot more gas exchange. I have read both things here on the forums. I currently run a Reef Octopus 150SSS set to 50%.

I think the sizing is only based on the capability of passing so much water per day through the skimmer. A “big” skimmer used on a smaller system just means the water visits the skimmer more often. A skimmer can’t completely “strip“ out organics but it does achieve a lower concentration. This means that a big skimmer on a small system gets to the low point sooner than later. As for aeration, maybe it is better than a smaller one. For fun, use both skimmers in parallel.

 

[robmiller2]

I may try it out just to see how it all works. I would like to run it recirculating on a CO2 scrubber but I will probably have to drill the acrylic, not sure if I want to do that.

 

[Doctorgori]

Just my opinion/experience but oversized skimmers dont always work out on small tanks…
if it can pull gunk, and thats a big if, then just run it periodically,,,,
may as well give it a shot

 

[00W]

Whatever the skimmer is rated for I cut that in half.
They are great skimmers so you might as well go for it and see what happens.
Worst case you put the Octo back in. It's a good skimmer too.

 

[twentyleagues]

Bashsea skimmers work. that 8-24 is rated 250-350g not 150-250 that'd be a 6 series. I had the 8-24 years ago skimming my 120, 125, 90 and 3 100g stock tank sump worked flawlessly. When I only had the 120 up i had this same skimmer running and still worked fine.

 

[argiBK]

Whatever the skimmer is rated for I cut that in half.
They are great skimmers so you might as well go for it and see what happens.
Worst case you put the Octo back in. It's a good skimmer too.

I find that skimmers are never as efficient or effective as the manufacturer documentation says, so I always upsize. I also think it’s good to have an oversized skimmer for emergency situations and if you need to overskim to quickly reduce nutrients or other potential waste products in the water (e.g. if an anemone decides to commit suicide by powerhead).

I also like DC pumps on oversized skimmers, because you can always tune to them to your system’s needs and flex up or down to fine tune nitrate/phosphate extraction.