In-Sump Skimmer Time!!

[E.intheC]

I'm excited. After almost 3 years of HOB skimmers with many different tanks, I'm finally ready to say that I'm jumping into the world of sumps

I've always had HOB skimmers, and only have some knowledge of in-sump skimmers. I know most brands, and have read a lot.. a whole lot. Problem is; it's all reading, and not hands on experience. Now it's time to ask for some advice.

My tank is a 30 cube, mixed reef with a decent bioload. I want my skimmer to be oversized, but not to the point that it's skimming inconsistently.

The only real hurdles I'm looking at are:

A.) Budget. Saving up for a wedding doesn't allow for much room, so it'll have to be under $250 or so. I will absolutely look for a used skimmer if necessary, as I have a little while before the upgrade is happening.

B.) Size. My sump is a 10 gallon stock tank, so the skimmer has to have a footprint of less than 10 inches. The length has more play, as I haven't made any baffles yet.

Thanks!

 

[moondoggy4]

Euro Reef RS 80 . I should be following soon as soon as I get a Life Reef overflow. I will put a Euro Reef CS5/3 in it.

 

[E.intheC]

interesting you should say that, moondoggy. I just got a Life Reef overflow and the ER RS 80 is on the top of my list

 

[E.intheC]

So let's see.. so far I'm considering the following: Euro Reef RS 80.

or the PM Red Line 100..
http://www.aquacave.com/precision-marine-red-line-br-100-protein-skimmer--2299.html

or a Vertex IN 100
http://www.aquacave.com/vertex-in-100-in-sump-br-protein-skimmer-br-generation-2-2505.html

or the Marine Solutions 150
http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/c...ewheel-150-with-Funnel-Neck/product_info.html

I'm sure there are more out there. Any suggestions on the above?

 

[sjm817]

If you get a Lifereef overflow, you would want the nano model. I would pick the Vertex or ER over the other models. The In-100 is the RS-80 equivalent.

 

[E.intheC]

Very interesting info. Are there specific reasons why you don't recommend the PM redline or the SWC skimmer?

I already have the lifereef overflow, and it's not the nano version.. I bought it used for a great deal.

 

[E.intheC]

these skimmers won't be 'too much' for my tank, correct? I typically don't believe you can overskim, however I don't want the skimmate to be inconsistent.

 

[sjm817]

You may want to contact Jeff @ Lifereef and get the smaller U Tube. You can use the bigger one, but you have to have enough flow through it to keep bubbles from accumulating. If you are going to run less than 200 GPH (or so), you need the smaller tube.

You have ~ 40G, so keep the skimmer small. The small diameter skimmer like the RS80 should work well.

 

[LeviChar1]

I recommend buying a skimmer for the tank size and ignoring the sump size.

Once you go sump, you never ...uh....n...never mind.

 

[E.intheC]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14952988#post14952988 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sjm817
You may want to contact Jeff @ Lifereef and get the smaller U Tube. You can use the bigger one, but you have to have enough flow through it to keep bubbles from accumulating. If you are going to run less than 200 GPH (or so), you need the smaller tube.

You have ~ 40G, so keep the skimmer small. The small diameter skimmer like the RS80 should work well.

I was thinking of using an Ocean Runner 2500 return pump. It pushes about 650 gph and is energy efficient. I want to attach that to a SWD to help randomize flow a bit. I will be using powerheads to provide most of the flow though.

I've seen this work in other circumstances, but if I'm being an idiot about it, please let me know. :lol:

 

[E.intheC]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14953125#post14953125 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by LeviChar1
I recommend buying a skimmer for the tank size and ignoring the sump size.

Once you go sump, you never ...uh....n...never mind.

:lol: Although I agree with you to an extent, my tank is relatively small. I'm sure a 10 gallon sump will be plenty large enough to accommodate my skimmer requirements.

 

[E.intheC]

Possible line on a Euro Reef RS 135.... but is this too big for my tank?

 

[jonnybravo22]

I was about to start a new thread but this one does it.

hope you dont mind my re-asking the question.

I also have a (roughly) 30g display and 10g sump. originally i was gonna get an ATB Econo 840 but now i'm hearing that it wouldnt skim consistently on a small system (not enough gunk to pull so after 2 weeks it will have taken out everything in the water and then it'll just collect gunk in the neck as there wont be enough to foam over).

so what's the BEST skimmer for small systems? have heard Vertex IN on two threads.

Warner Marine S125 was also recommended

 

[E.intheC]

don't mind at all. I'd love to try out a Warner Marine skimmer, but they're out of my price range. As are the ATB's..

I have also heard good things about the vertex skimmers, but they're almost as expensive as the Euro Reef skimmers, and I prefer the latter.

 

[jonnybravo22]

have you used either (as basis for the preference)?

havent heard of the euro reef before, but i'll do some more research.

my thing is -- i want a cool looking cone that would actually work on a small system, i cant believe that none of the big names make a skimmer for nanos given their popularity.

 

[jonnybravo22]

Also: I currently run a Sapphire Aquatics Nano skimmer. any reason to believe that a Vertex / any of the others mentioned would be an upgrade?

 

[Rwinfrey]

hold on you said an oceanrunner return (stop right there)they run a little hot and in the size tank you have to watch out for that take a look at the new larger maxi jet line you can get it from fosters and smith. Or tried and true ehiem.
as far as skimmers go there is nothing wrong with any of your choices even the PM solid company as is premium aquatics who has the vertex.

 

[E.intheC]

Rwinfrey, besides running a bit hot, do you have other problems with the Ocean Runner? I haven't bought a pump yet. The reason why I'm leaning toward that one is I've used it before, and have heard a few stories of how reliable they are long term.

Also, Eheims are much more expensive and require 2x the wattage for the same gph...

 

[E.intheC]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14983593#post14983593 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jonnybravo22
Also: I currently run a Sapphire Aquatics Nano skimmer. any reason to believe that a Vertex / any of the others mentioned would be an upgrade?

I don't have any personal experience with a Sapphire Aquatics skimmer, but I've heard they're about the same (some say better, most say a little bit worse) than my Tunze 9002. I'm going for the in-sump skimmer because it's a lot larger, will (hopefully anyway) work a lot better, and it's all hidden in my sump.

 

[Rwinfrey]

You will be fighting heat and that would be one more supplier of it .I also mentioned the new maxi jets (supposed to be cool running).In this hobby you have to say say to yourself pay now or pay later either way you are going to pay.So buy the good stuff first not second.