External Skimmer suggestions - set-up

[richmorris25]

I will soon begin setting up my 240 and i ran into an issue. I do not have enough clearance to put a skimmer in the sump and be able to pull it out for maintenance etc...

The height of my sump is 18" and ceiling height in stand around 26". Not much clearance at all to move an appropiate skimmer in/out.

I am thinking about this one: Reef Octopus SUPER SRO 2000EXT External Protein Skimmer

http://www.aquacave.com/Reef-Octopu...r-P3339.aspx?gclid=CKuipriRybACFUZN4Aod2AG6YA

I do not have any experience in this type of set-up, but it looks like it will fit under the stand as is. But do i have to raise the skimmer for the water return? I cant go any higher. typically how are these set up? I also was looking at the Aqua C as well.

I also considered doing a main sump in the basement, but my wife squashed that idea

thanks.

Rich

 

[sirreal63]

I ovule skip the AquaC with zero hesitation in favor of the Octo, but I would get the next size up.

 

[tkeracer619]

The SRO 3000INT will fit. However the water height in the skimmer compartment will need to be much shallower then 18". This can easily be done with baffling unless the sump is already finished.

IME I would work the basement sump some more. While it will use more energy to get a return pump it will be quieter and give you a lot more room to work on stuff.

The 2000 is too small for a 240. A 3000 is just right and depending on your bio load and coral requirements along with carbon dosing you could even step up to a 5000 model.

 

[richmorris25]

thanks...what about Tunze skimmers?

thanks...what about Tunze skimmers?

Thanks for the feedback. Does anyone have experience with Tunze Skimmers. it looks compact and may fit perfectly within the sump. however - reviews are all over the place.

I will have a mixed reef - 240 gallons - leathers, lps and some SPS.
HEAVY Bioload. Tangs - 2 yellow, hippo, unicorn, mata, sailfin and purple
3 Wrasses, 1 clown, flame angle and 3cardinal fish.
refugium sump - adhi 60.
Running Chinese LEDs on my new set-up. dimable units.

so total water volume has to be around 260-280. taking into consideration water displacement by live rock and sand.

thanks,

Rich

 

[sirreal63]

I never went the Tunze skimmer route, but yes the reviews are all over the place. It is a shame the SRO3000 EXT won't fit, it would handle the Tang poop machines, but the SRO3000 INT will fit and would be a better choice than the 2000. I agree with TKE, try and do the basement sump, space will not be an issue and you can run the 3000EXT. They are both SRO3000's but the recirc handles more water, which helps explain the extra 100 gallons of rating.

 

[tkeracer619]

A 240 is too small for a unicorn and a mata. You are asking for trouble. Consider a powder if you are looking for an acanthurus tang and a blonde naso instead of the unicorn. 5 tangs in a 240 is a lot. 7 is going to end bad especially with two larger then 12". The mata tang can be extremely aggressive as well.

I would strongly suggest you keep it to 5 max and I suggest you really think about your realistic goals for the tank. Loading those tangs in that tank will result in very high nutrients and without a serious skimmer they will either be underfed or your tank will be rather dirty.

Also consider avoiding the leathers but if you insist on keeping them with lps and sps make sure to run carbon all the time.

Water volume is irrelevant. Its what you feed the tank that matters. Water volume is just based on what stocking would be like. 7 tangs, a bunch of other smaller fish, and a smaller then desirable skimmer is going to be a challenge to your husbandry skills.

Personally I would go with a basement sump and a SRO 5000 with your planned bioload even without the 12" + tangs. A SRO 3000, tunze, or anything available with your height requirements won't support your as is stock list with proper feeding.

AquaC skimmers are IME terrible IME. I wouldn't consider them. I am aware that some people have had great results.

 

[tkeracer619]

Also........

Consider changing out the stand or raising it somehow. The 360 I just got had a 24" tall steel stand. I modified it with some 2x14s to raise it 13" so I could get a skimmer in there.

Post some pics of your stand. Maybe there is something you can do.

 

[sirreal63]

I hate this iPad, I yep (type) faster an the touch keypad recognizes then does weird corrections. I don't see well enough to catch all of them. It sucks approaching raisin status.

 

[tkeracer619]

:lol: No worries Jack, most of us understand auto correct

 

[sirreal63]

I took her old first gen 64 gig when she got the 3rd gen 64 gig. I miss my laptop for typing but his is easier to surf with. It plays Angry Burds well though.

Rich, let's see some pics and get this tank up and running.

 

[richmorris25]

Hey - thanks for the feedback! I agree on the tangs, i dont know what i was thinking with the Mata and apparently they grow fast. There will be alot of waste needed to be skimmed.

I will try to take sme pics tomorrow. The stand is an all glass (180-220) that has been customized to support the acrylic along the bottom with additonal braces for support.

Some more details - this was the post from the guy i bought the set-up from.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1862281

also i am running a blueline 70 for the return pump.

This should give you a nice snapshot.

Best/

Rich

 

[richmorris25]

pic of tank

pic of tank

Here is a shot of the tank and stand. This was taken when i bought the tank from a fellow reefcentral member.

 

[tkeracer619]

I see. Its a tall tank. They definitely come with short stands.

When I worked for a maintenance company we were challenged with adding a sump to a tank with a 6" tall stand... no that is not a typo :lol:

What we did was built a nice looking box that would blend in beside it. Put a custom sump, holes in the back for fans, and a hinged top. Was a beautiful thing. It was a 225g tank iirc and we used a ReefOcto Pro 300. Pretty much the SRO 5000 of today.

I would suggest doing what I did with the 2x14s but I don't think you will be able to make it match.

With the sump installed is there enough room to one side of it to cut out the floor and mount an external skimmer in the stand? This usually gives a few more inches or room...

 

[sirreal63]

Nice tall tank, short stand though. I would push hard for the basement but if that fails, I would be building a taller stand, that one makes fitting appropriate equipment under it a challenge. I really like the tank though, I would find a way to make it work the way you want it to.