Help me decide on a skimmer.

[fermentedhiker]

In the process of planning a new build. Tank is acrylic 36x24x24 internal coast to coast overflow bean animal arrangement.

It's going to house 2 or 3 dwarf lionfish so needless to say a bit messy. The plan is to over skim a bit to help out.

The problem lies in space under the cabinet(isn't it always) which ends up being 34x22. I feel like because of a woodstove in the room I should run a chiller as insurance against overheating the tank.

The chiller I was looking at is 1/10HP and measures 14.5x10x14.5. Which means I can't use a 20L for a sump. The longest I can use is a 24" tank so I'm looking at using a standard 15 gallon 24x12x12. I could fit the chiller in with a 20x20 trigger sump but then no space for an ATO reservoir.

The skimmer I was originally going to go with was a reef octopus classic 150int but it's footprint is 12.4x8.7 which means it would have to be turned sideway or at least diagonal to fit in the 15 gallon sump. Eating up horizontal space in the sump.

Other skimmer options;
RO spacesaver nwb 110. Same price as the 150, smaller footprint, but lower skimming capactity.

RO classic 152s. 30$ more, but smaller footprint and equal skimming

RO classic 150 spacesaver. 40$, smaller footprint equal or better skimming

Bubble magus curve 5. by far the cheapest. small footprint, as a con likes deeper water than a lot of premade sumps are designed for but that shouldn't be an issue for this build.

Thoughts/suggestions....at the moment the 152s looks like the best bang for my buck from the alternatives from RO although the Bubble magus is cheaper I'm just not as familiar with them.

 

[ComforablyNumb]

Have you considered HOB skimmers?

 

[jasonandsarah]

I had a curve 7 (I think lol) might of been a 5, no complaints at all from me. If budget means anything I'd save the money and just get the Bubble magnus.


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[fermentedhiker]

I had a curve 7 (I think lol) might of been a 5, no complaints at all from me. If budget means anything I'd save the money and just get the Bubble magnus.


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That good to hear. Good to see you around as well Jason Hopefully we'll be able to catch up at the next frag draft.

 

[fermentedhiker]

Have you considered HOB skimmers?

No. I have a hob skimmer on another tank. This tank EVERYTHING except the light is going to be hidden.

 

[ksicard]

I've got a good recommendation that might be better for your needs.

https://premiumaquatics.com/products/eshopps-x120-axium-protein-skimmer-rated-40120gallons.html

I have the x-160 and it pulls some impressive skim mate on my system. It's got a tiny foot print and is just as cheap as the curve 5 except it has a sicce pump. Might be worth looking into.

I attached a picture of what my x-160 pulls out in a week. I'm sure the x-120 would be a awesome fit for your tank

 

[jasonandsarah]

That good to hear. Good to see you around as well Jason Hopefully we'll be able to catch up at the next frag draft.

Haha didn't even notice this isn't MFS, taptalks sending me notifications from all forums lately lol.....
Just been a lot going on with the move and plus going to a swap without being able to buy something is just straight torture for me. [emoji3]

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[fermentedhiker]

Haha didn't even notice this isn't MFS, taptalks sending me notifications from all forums lately lol.....
Just been a lot going on with the move and plus going to a swap without being able to buy something is just straight torture for me. [emoji3]

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I hear you. I was the same for the last swap. Too busy and didn't have any place to put anything at the time so I didn't bother to make the trip. I probably won't have this tank setup in time for the next one either but we'll see.

 

[fermentedhiker]

I've got a good recommendation that might be better for your needs.

https://premiumaquatics.com/products/eshopps-x120-axium-protein-skimmer-rated-40120gallons.html

I have the x-160 and it pulls some impressive skim mate on my system. It's got a tiny foot print and is just as cheap as the curve 5 except it has a sicce pump. Might be worth looking into.

I attached a picture of what my x-160 pulls out in a week. I'm sure the x-120 would be a awesome fit for your tank

Thanks I'll definitely check it out.

 

[BryanS4]

I've got a good recommendation that might be better for your needs.

https://premiumaquatics.com/products/eshopps-x120-axium-protein-skimmer-rated-40120gallons.html

I have the x-160 and it pulls some impressive skim mate on my system. It's got a tiny foot print and is just as cheap as the curve 5 except it has a sicce pump. Might be worth looking into.

I attached a picture of what my x-160 pulls out in a week. I'm sure the x-120 would be a awesome fit for your tank

Second this. Killer skimmer with a tiny foot print.

 

[robsk]

Second this. Killer skimmer with a tiny foot print.

I'll third this...lol. I have the x-120. Small footprint. Good size barrel. Sicce pump. Been running a couple months now and does great.

 

[fermentedhiker]

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

 

[CK00020]

What temp are you planning on running the tank at?

 

[fermentedhiker]

Probably around 78F.

 

[CK00020]

You really think a chiller is necessary, unless it's like 80 room temp all the time

 

[CK00020]

Just thinking out loud, but then you could have a way bigger skimmer or room for ato

 

[fermentedhiker]

Normally no, but there is a wood stove in the same room. The chiller is insurance against overheating when the stove is on. I expect the chiller would only run parts of evenings and weekends during the winter. The rest of the time it'll just be an expensive box taking up space.

I've debated about trying to run without it as I could have a larger sump and larger ATO(currently i'm planning on using a 15 gallon aquarium for a sump and a 5.5 gallon aquarium for ATO resevoir). I'm planning on venting the cabinet with a 4" icecap cooling fan. I could additionally add a fan pointed at the sump to use evaporative cooling which might be enough especially if I keep an eye on the stove and don't let it overheat.

The problem is if I build without planning for the chiller there won't be room for it if I end up needing it. As far as not letting the stove overheat.........95% of the time I'm sure I can do so. It's the 5% I might not pay good enough attention that I could potentially loose everything that has me worried.

Worst case scenario would be fully loading the stove in the morning and leaving the house and forgetting and leaving it running wide open instead of shutting the airflow down. In this case the stove generates a tremendous amount of heat for a couple of hours before running out of steam. It's possible that the thermal mass of the tank would mean that a single load of the stove would not raise the temp too much in the time before it runs out of fuel. I'm just not sure of the math. I'd love to skip it as a bigger sump would make life easier for sure.

 

[CK00020]

I do see your concern, you are going to have some crazy evap loss with that wood fire in the room

 

[fermentedhiker]

Yeah I can see a couple of gallons a day easy during the winter.

 

[henryle]

I don't know if you have space but have you considered a nightstand next the the tank and put the chiller in there? My sump takes up my whole stand(bad planning). I bought a nightstand that had drawers, out everything together and used plywood to make a door instead of drawers. I then out the drawer fronts on and nobody can tell!


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