Bubble King / Red Dragon sizing

[Nuuze]

Hi slief,

I'm about to pull the trigger on ordering a Red Sea Reefer 650 Peninsula after a 10yr break from reefing. Can you recommend the correct sizing skimmer and return pump? I tend to veer towards the very very heavy SPS/LPS and fish direction since this is my third time returning!


Display: 140g, Total: 175
Skimmer chamber: 23.2" x 20"

For skimmers I was looking at the DC180 or DC200. What about the Super Marin, overpowered?


System height: 63"

For return pump I was looking at Red Dragon 3 50w and 100w. I plan to run that for return manifold to tank and feed misc filter/reactors.

Are Royal Exclusiv models with 10v now to use with APEX and have distribution in US? Or re-seller like Premium Aquatics?

Thanks for your time!

 

[slief]

Hi slief,

I'm about to pull the trigger on ordering a Red Sea Reefer 650 Peninsula after a 10yr break from reefing. Can you recommend the correct sizing skimmer and return pump? I tend to veer towards the very very heavy SPS/LPS and fish direction since this is my third time returning!


Display: 140g, Total: 175
Skimmer chamber: 23.2" x 20"

For skimmers I was looking at the DC180 or DC200. What about the Super Marin, overpowered?


System height: 63"

For return pump I was looking at Red Dragon 3 50w and 100w. I plan to run that for return manifold to tank and feed misc filter/reactors.

Are Royal Exclusiv models with 10v now to use with APEX and have distribution in US? Or re-seller like Premium Aquatics?

Thanks for your time!

For the skimmer, either the Double Cone 180 if you are planning a low to medium fish load and the Double Cone 200 if you are planning a heavy fish load. And yes, the Supermarin would be oversized for any load you could put in a 175 unless you planned a stupidly heavy fish load. These skimmers are very conservatively rated and the Supermarins are much more load sesitive.

For the Return pump, I'd recommend the RD3 100. Probably the High Pressure version since it has a 1" output and the Red Seas are very restrictive in terms of the return plumbing. That will give you good flow to the main display and plenty of extra flow for your reactors where as the 50w would be way too small.
All of our pumps are 0-10v compatible but you would need the 0-10v interface kit and would need to select the Apex version.

https://royalexclusiv.com/Flow-Pump....html?MODsid=ac05b62eb4c335866e67e4ca4bbab8c4

Not really sure why you'd want to control the return or skimmer via 0-10v. Both are set it and forget it devices unless you are going to use the 0-10v for feed mode or something. We stock these in the US and our resellers have them available as well.

 

[Nuuze]

Hi Slief,

Thanks so much for your prompt reply! Instead of 10v I could use one of the controllable outlets for feed mode.

Kind regards

 

[slief]

Hi Slief,

Thanks so much for your prompt reply! Instead of 10v I could use one of the controllable outlets for feed mode.

Kind regards

You could but shutting the outlet off on the EB while the pump is running isn't a great idea. I liken it to pulling the power cord on your computer while it's running. Also, when you power it on, there is always a chance of a surge. So if feed mode is a must, then either use the 0-10v interface kit or use the RD3 controller to power down the motor. Personally, I have never been a fan of feed modes for return pumps let alone skimmers. I've always advocated using the return flow to distribute the food throughout the tank as it not only allows more timid fish to get food away from the feeding frenzy of larger fish but it also distributes food to the corals and invertebrates. And as far as shutting down the skimmer, skimmers normally go a flat during feeding anyways because of the oils in the food and even so, I'd much prefer my skimmer remove any solids from food making it to the sump than having those solids collect in the sump and creating detritus down there.

 

[Nuuze]

Heres the current setup. Thank you so much Slief!

I currently have the skimmer in 8 3/4 water level @ 30w and valve completely open.

 

[slief]

Heres the current setup. Thank you so much Slief!

I currently have the skimmer in 8 3/4 water level @ 30w and valve completely open.

You have no fish in there so I wouldn’t expect it to make any good foam unless there are some dissolved organics from the rocks. You might lower the speed a bit so it’s at 28w.

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Scott, Since I often see your comments on shutting down pumps I will ask, how you would shut down a main pump, RD3, weekly for water changes?
There is not enough water in the sump while running without cavitation.

 

[slief]

Scott, Since I often see your comments on shutting down pumps I will ask, how you would shut down a main pump, RD3, weekly for water changes?
There is not enough water in the sump while running without cavitation.

Use the down arrow on the controller to power it down or use 0-10v if your have the 0-10v controllable pump.

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Thanks Scott, @ least I am doing it correctly.
Now we all know the right way.