Which Skimmer For 48x18x16 SPS

[birdman1979]

Looking for skimmer suggestions. I will be moving to San Diego in a few months and planning my reef. Appreciate any advice.. Tank details and equipment in my possession below:

- Tank is rimless 48x18x16 3side starfire with 1/2 glass. 20 gallon long for sump with dedicated skimmer chamber.
- It will be SPS only with a moderate to heavy fish population.
- Lighting will be Giesemann Spectra with 250 watt radiums and T-5s.
- Flow will be 2 MP40s

I have a BK mini 180 that I know will be too big. Also have an Octopus NW-150 that I think might be too big as well for a consistent skim.

Thinking of putting a Vertex Omega 130 on it. Thoughts?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Looking for skimmer suggestions. I will be moving to San Diego in a few months and planning my reef. Appreciate any advice.. Tank details and equipment in my possession below:

- Tank is rimless 48x18x16 3side starfire with 1/2 glass. 20 gallon long for sump with dedicated skimmer chamber.
- It will be SPS only with a moderate to heavy fish population.
- Lighting will be Giesemann Spectra with 250 watt radiums and T-5s.
- Flow will be 2 MP40s

I have a BK mini 180 that I know will be too big. Also have an Octopus NW-150 that I think might be too big as well for a consistent skim.

Thinking of putting a Vertex Omega 130 on it. Thoughts?

Welcome to Reef2Reef.
I dont know that skimmer off hand, I will say I do know San Diego, as its very nice here today!
you may want to wait till you get here as the reefing comunity is quite large and active, so there's always a deal on excellent used gear from good dudes.
Heres the local club.http://www.sdreefs.com/

 

[birdman1979]

Thanks! I will check it out. Looking forward to the change!

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Thanks! I will check it out. Looking forward to the change!

where are you coming from?Its winter here! so you need to dress for it.

That means long sleeve hoodie and shorts.

 

[birdman1979]

Philly... cant wait for warm weather and sunshine!

 

[reefboxerguy317]

Take a look at the Lifereef skimmers. I've been through quite a few skimmers in the last 8 years or so, and by far best one I've used is the Lifereef. It's an older design but it works very well. I have a similar setup and have the 24 inch version on my tank.

 

[birdman1979]

Which pump do you have on it? Is it loud?

 

[Bps619]

I have an omega 180i for my 48x30x18 and from my experiences It's too much for the system. I might downgrade to the 130 which I think will be perfect for your reef.

Welcome to San Diego.

 

[favites]

I have the same set up with the BK mini 160..quiet, compact, skims great-- sounds like your already familiar with the line.

Mark

 

[justingraham]

Where are u at in philly?
Sorry I don't know anything about skimmers

 

[birdman1979]

I have an omega 180i for my 48x30x18 and from my experiences It's too much for the system. I might downgrade to the 130 which I think will be perfect for your reef.

Welcome to San Diego.

Thank you! I spent a couple years in SD in the 90s. I miss it. started my first saltwater tank there:)

 

[birdman1979]

I have the same set up with the BK mini 160..quiet, compact, skims great-- sounds like your already familiar with the line.

Mark

BK makes great skimmers. I had the 180 hooked up for a while but never got a consistent skim.... Just not enough bio load for my small tank. Are you able to dry skim with the 160?

 

[birdman1979]

Where are u at in philly?
Sorry I don't know anything about skimmers

I am in Manayunk.

 

[birdman1979]

Anyone have experience with the BK 130 double cone?

 

[justingraham]

I am in Manayunk.

I work for septa enjoy ur new home

 

[favites]

BM-- i skim on the 'drier' side of things, not sure how best to describe otherwise. i have a fairly heavy bioload, i would say it took some time for my tank to grow into the skimmer which is ideal i think, aggressive flow with 2 mp40s and a mp10 and open structure facilitates export as well.

 

[birdman1979]

Sounds like the

BM-- i skim on the 'drier' side of things, not sure how best to describe otherwise. i have a fairly heavy bioload, i would say it took some time for my tank to grow into the skimmer which is ideal i think, aggressive flow with 2 mp40s and a mp10 and open structure facilitates export as well.

Sounds like the BK 160 would be ideal for my tank plans. BK skimmers are worth every penny. Appreciate your feedback.

 

[birdman1979]

I work for septa enjoy ur new home

Thank you!

 

[helldiver]

The reef octopus skimmers are awesome with the gate valve the 202 classic u can get for about 300

 

[reefboxerguy317]

Which pump do you have on it? Is it loud?

Right now I have the mag 9.5 that came with the skimmer, but the really nice thing about Lifereef and similar designs is you can basically use any pump you want as it's within certain gph range. The mag isn't too loud, but I'm going to replace it soon with either sicce or one of the DC pumps.