Two Skimmers

[WVReefJunkie]

Has anyone ever used two skimmers on a single system? Was curious if this would be more effective, say someone wanted to lower phosphates and nitrates a little more?

 

[Alexreefer]

Has anyone ever used two skimmers on a single system? Was curious if this would be more effective, say someone wanted to lower phosphates and nitrates a little more?

I would not have two skimmers, To me its a waste of money when you could get a good one for as much as 2. Turn it up and skim like crazy. It depends on the amount of bioload as well.

 

[ZoWhat]

I've been told AND read in articles that two skimmers compete with one another ....and instead of getting synergy (greater results of two sums) the two skimmers produce less efficiencies..... but I have no practical experience to comment first hand

I agree that instead of two skimmers, get ONE skimmer with TWICE the capacity

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Hey

I agree a larger skimmer is better. There is only going to be so much organic in the sump at any one time. It would be more efficient for an over rated skimmer to pull out than 2 smaller ones. If you run 2 Than 1 may pull a large portion into foam leaving the second skimmer less full since the other skimmer is pulling most of the load.

Edit, sorry I should have quoted @skimjim as +1

 

[Dom]

It is skimmer redundancy. I could understand that in return pumps.

Yeah... I agree... get 1 good one.

 

[saltwaterpicaso]

I am running a reef octopus elite 200 and a 120s skimmer on a 120g tank for about 8 months now and they both are pulling gunk and my tank has never been cleaner. If I was to go to one skimmer i would get a recirculating skimmer. The way I have it with two skimmers is complete overkill but for some reason the one skimmer that was overkill as it is was just not enough. The elite 200 is behind the ATS

 

[krash7172]

I'd consider an alternate method like an algae scrubber or refugium over a 2nd skimmer.

 

[saltwaterpicaso]

I have 2 skimmers an algea scrubber and UV if I really wanted to I could add the ozone back lol