help on skimmer selection

[natereinhold1]

I have a really light bio load, 1x black clown, 1x oce. clown, 1x naked clown, 1x sailfin tang (small), 1x warty goby, bunch of softies and minimal sps. the display is a 75gal RR with about 65lbs LR and 80lbs LS running about 500gph, the refugium is 140gal with 115lbs LS and 60lbs LR and MAJOR cheato and several other macros, with a wet/dry with 300 1.25" bio-balls running about 3500gph(total pump volume is 4000+gph), sulfur de-nitrator(1/2 lb) buffered with 20lbs crushed coral on about 30 dpm. I need an economicaly priced skimmer, and as i will not be adding any more fish and the fuge is only 3/4 the way full the system volume i guess is somewhere between 165-180ish i was wondering about the current usa fission skimmers rated at 225 gallons, as they are recirc. skimmers and good price, would that be sufficient enough for now, with the possiblility of adding another later if needed.

 

[natereinhold1]

oh, and a 4 stage canister filter for polishing and carbon, posphate remover duty running 315gph in the display(the intake is in the overflow and the outlet is in the tank)

 

[natereinhold1]

or possibly a etss sump buddy

 

[E.intheC]

I haven't heard good things about the fission skimmers, unfortunately. No personal experience, but from what I've read, they're not the best. It will be helpful to list your budget so they can be narrowed down a bit. There's TONS of skimmers out there. Makes it that much more confusing. Trust me, I can relate.

 

[natereinhold1]

i would like to stay under $225. I was reading about the etss skimmers and they sound like they work well and i have heard them recomended before, but i would like to hear first hand experience with them. I like the down draft idea, and i have PLENTY of pump left to run one. Also does my system, other than the lack of working skimmer sound alright, i whant a good skimmer for the price and will be adding a Ca reactor later. The fuge lighting is 2x 250 mh 20,000k and 260watt pc, and the display is 4x54 t5 ati bulbs(will be adding 2-4 more 54watters later), i had the mh over the 75 but i run long photo periods and most of my corals where losing color, so i switched.

 

[tav]

There's a member here, mojo, that has reviewed lots of skimmers including the sump buddy. Do a search for that review, it was a positive one. I just ordered one of these skimmers for my 90G from Aquacave, $199 shipped no pump. As long as you drive it with an adequate pump it's a great skimmer for the money and the small footprint.

 

[tpenn187]

octopus extreme, i know a little more than 225, vertex skimmers are getting good reviews. i have a msx 200 and love it!

 

[KafudaFish]

Just curious but why are you running so much lighting on your fuge? Is it a display fuge or are you simply running it for nutrient export?

 

[hansmatt]

I'd also get rid of the bioballs...I know you're running a nitrate reactor, but they can really do a number on the nitrates.
Skimmers under $200ish? I've heard good things about the vertex, and the MSX160 might be a good option. I would recommend a better skimmer before the Ca Reactor...two part is cheap & relativly easy, clean water is something you can't easily do without very regular water changes...hence a good skimmer.

I have an ER 5-3, and love it.on y 130 system..you may be able to find a used ER for $200 or so

 

[natereinhold1]

The nitrate that bio-balls produce are due to the natural nitrogen cycle, so if there is nitrates that means that ammo. and nitrites are being broken down, so i don't mind, especially with the de-nitrator(0 ppm nitrates, nitrites, ammo, and they never rise at all)... but i agree on skimmer b4 Ca reactor whole-heartedly. The lighting was originally on the display but i switched to t5s so i guess that it was out of convienience more than anything, but it has turned into nutrient export. thanks everyone for your help, looks like i'm gonna go with the sump buddy.

 

[tav]

Since you seem to be leaning towards the SumpBuddy 40 I'd be interested in reading updates on your experience when you get it running.

 

[KafudaFish]

I was going to suggest selling your MH and PC lighting, buying a 4 x 54 T5 retro and the money you save in bulb replacement and electric costs could be used for a bigger skimmer budget.
Good luck.

 

[roadracn]

+1 on the MSX

 

[natereinhold1]

I would rather not sell the MH's, just for the fact that I will be getting a bigger tank some time later, proly a taller tank that is 6 foot long as both mhs are 24 inchers. the 75 imo was to shallow for 2x 250watts mh, and i do not like pc 'cept for actinics. I will be adding 2-4 more 54w t5s tho, just after the skimmer and maybe b4 the ca reactor, haven't decided.