thinking about adding a second skimmer opinion welcome.

[ddc0715]

ok i found a dang good deal on a small skimmer; that i can not pass over- its a Bubble Magus Curve 5 Protein Skimmer (In-Sump) the specs are----

• Maximum Tank Capability : 140G
• Dimensions: 7.28"L x 7.08"W x 18.5"H
• Water Level :9.5"-11"

at present, i am running a Skimz Monzter SM201 Internal Protein Skimmer. i believe I'm in the medium bioload range (determining that is another topic). anyway--the specs for it are

• Rated for tanks 211-528 gallons
  • Heavy Bioload (Most Common) - 190 gallons
  • Medium Bioload - 240 gallons
  • Light Bioload - 320 gallons
• Foot Print: 9.21” x 9.21” (234mm x 234mm)
• Total Height: 21.5” (545mm)

my skimmer chamber will hold both (it will be close tho). my tank is a 150g with a 55-gallon sump (holding only 25g of water) and a 10g frag tank (plumbed into the main system). so the total water volume is approximately 135 -150 (not sure how much water is lost to rock) so this number range is the best guess.

so reading about this topic here, I see that over-skimming is not really an issue cause you can only take out what's in the water with no major (tank-killing) effects on nutrients. if anything it will help keep the nutrients closer to a lower range which is what we want right? that's a pro to running two skimmers.

I also run ozone. I was thinking I may use it as a reactor and remove the ozone from my main skimmer. its still skimming the water, so I see no real reason to call it an ozone reactor. I can not just buy a larger skimmer because height is an issue. so has/does anyone run two skimmers? what is your experience running two? or should I just put this smaller skimmer in the closet until needed? thanks in advance

 

[Ron Reefman]

I don't think you really need it, but it shouldn't be a problem either.

If you ever set up a 2nd tank, frag tank, holding tank, this skimmer could come in handy. And if it's a great deal, I'd go for it. But then I have lots and lots of spares for my 2 tanks.

 

[jda]

I run at least two skimmers on every tank. First, and most importantly, I have the room in the sump. Second, I feed heavy and am a total believer in heavy import and heavy export... and multiple skimmers helps with heavy export. Third, a pair of even so-so skimmers can usually outperform a single high-end (expensive) skimmer. Somewhat unimportant, but when one does go down, I am not completely out of luck - this does not happen often.

There is little downside here.

 

[ddc0715]

Well its in an its tiny compared to my other how is something so small rated for a 140. Im going to raise it a bit tomorrow so I did not tuck my cords.

 

[Albertan22]

Well its in an its tiny compared to my other how is something so small rated for a 140. Im going to raise it a bit tomorrow so I did not tuck my cords.

Is the Bubble Magus tiny, or is your other one just a monster? Hint: it’s the second one ;)

 

[piranhaman00]

I am just debating this! Accidnetly bumped an old thread....

I am going to go ahead and get another skimmer and will report how it works! Very little info on this subject out there.

 

[piranhaman00]

Both skimmer working great ;)

 

[vetteguy53081]

two skimmers wouldnt hurt but perhaps a little overkill.

 

[piranhaman00]

two skimmers wouldnt hurt but perhaps a little overkil

Original skimmer is under sized and having NO3 issues with heavy feeding, can’t hurt!

 

[GillMeister]

Go big or go home. I just posted on a recent observation I've had about the benefits of a larger skimmer. I upgraded to a Bubble Magus D9 and my pH improved dramatically. It was a benefit I hadn't expected. The gas exchange you get with more skimming is as important as the skimming itself.