Is it possible to overskim your tank?

[fliynhi]

I just got a 90RR tank and will be starting to get it set up soon. Right now I'm running a Remora w/ the maxijet 1200 on my 55. I know that won't be enough for the 90 so I am looking around for an appropriate skimmer. I plan to have numerous colored sticks and plates in the tank so water quality is an obvious must have. I only have 3 fish in my tank now and plan to add 1, maybe 2, more. I found, what seems to be a good deal, and was wondering if it would be overkill. It's a DIY skimmer that the owner was using on a 180 reef. I figure if it worked on a 180 it should work on my 90. Any thoughts or suggestions? Thanks for any and all input.

Shane

 

[Murphs205]

the bigger the better ,,,crank it up !!! you will get a difference of opinion with that question. but most will say heck no ,,,the cleaner the better. does it mean you will need to add Iodine and supplements that a skimmer takes out of your water ??? you bet ya ,,,,,,,, if you keep your water to the right parameters with adding in the chemicals that a killer skimmer take out it should work out just fine for you .. even more so if your doing SPS , you will need a good REEF test kit and check it pretty often to see that things are in line with all of your trace elements.

Good luck
Murph

 

[serpentman]

Although its possible to overskim, its pretty hard to do on a 90g. In this case, I am betting you will be ok. If you had something that was a larger mismatch such as something rated for 180g on a nano, it would be a bigger issue.

 

[fliynhi]

Cool. Thanks Murph, never thought about it taking out the good stuff too. I appreciate the input guys.

 

[Murphs205]

there are tons of good skimmers for under 125 gal tanks , Euro-reef
ASM G series, homemade as well .. most go with Euro-reef , i have a G-2 on my 90 gal total with gate mod and mesh mod that works pretty darn well. its really a coin toss when your talking smaller skimmers ,,, when you get into the big mac's is where the difference comes in

 

[fliynhi]

It looks like this one is based off of the AquaC big skimmers like the 400 or 1000. He said I would need either a Mag 12 or 18 for it. Nothing set in stone yet, but it seems like it may work out.

 

[aninjaatemyshoe]

The problem with putting a heavy-duty skimmer on a smaller system than what it is designed for is not overskimming. It is actually the case that it might not skim enough. Really large skimmers need a whole lot of crap to skim, otherwise they won't produce a consistent amount of skimmate.

I've experienced this first hand in a zealous attempt to over-skim my tank. I used a skimmer that was designed for a 300+ system on a 70 gallon. I found out that I got more consistent skimmate from a much smaller skimmer. Lesson learned.

Smaller better-designed skimmers will outperform oversized less well-designed skimmers on small to medium sized systems. I've never used the Aqua-C line or similar skimmers before, so I can't really comment on them. Personally, I've had pretty good luck with recirculating needlewheel skimmers like the Octopus Recirc. That is the way I would go if I was in your position, JMO.

 

[itZme]

Take a look at the power requirements for a Mag 12 (110 watts) or 18 (145 watts). They use a bunch of electricity when compared to a needlewheel recirculating skimmer. Most of the recirc skimmers use something like 40 watts for the recirc pump. If you consider the extra 100 watts of electricity (and heat) you may see the long term savings.
It is like running a 100 watt bulb in your house 24/7 and also the same as running a 100 watt heater in your tank at all times. Every 10 hours you will use an extra kilowatt/hr of electricity.

Check out something like a Reef Octopus 150 or similar.

Hope that helps.
-- Kevin

 

[Murphs205]

you REALLY need to watch the watts in a pump for skimmers , they dont take a break or are on timers ,,they run alllllllllll the time ,,, like Itzme stated, it can run a good bit of money over the spread of a years time ,,,, Reef-Octopus are real nice skimmers too. and dont kill the electric bill , or get your temp elevated from running in your sump.

 

[crazyseany]

I was really happy with my Euro-reef..... produced lots of skimmate...

also don't forget to factor in your sump size.... if you plumb it into a 75 gallon sump..... you no longer have a 90 gallon system.


sean

 

[fliynhi]

Awesome info guys! Never really thought about the power consumption side of it. In this hobby I've found few reasons to look for cheaper alternatives. They usually cost me more in the long run. The octopus is one that I had looked at but I just want to make sure I'm getting enough production to maintain water quality. I just read on RC all the time about how the manufacturer's always hype up their product to more than its capable of actually doing. I've found that with my remora. As far as the sump goes, I figure it will add about another 20gal or so for 110 total. Again, thanks for the input and keep it coming if you have more advice.

 

[DiscoReefRover]

I hands down love my euro reefs great skimmer well built for the money and they work awsome ....jmo
Sean

 

[Eggs]

I'm using 3 Mag 12's (2 skimmers, 1 return pump) between my two tanks, and I would have to agree that they're running up my electric bill.

Makes me think I should look into an alternative.

 

[bebereef]

i'm facing that same problem. I used to have my MCE-600 on my 120 reef, it was dooing all right but since i decided to go smaller with a 45 gal. cube but trying to keep that skimmer, it's a pain in the but ever since!

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13735371#post13735371 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by aninjaatemyshoe
The problem with putting a heavy-duty skimmer on a smaller system than what it is designed for is not overskimming. It is actually the case that it might not skim enough. Really large skimmers need a whole lot of crap to skim, otherwise they won't produce a consistent amount of skimmate.

I've experienced this first hand in a zealous attempt to over-skim my tank. I used a skimmer that was designed for a 300+ system on a 70 gallon. I found out that I got more consistent skimmate from a much smaller skimmer. Lesson learned.

Smaller better-designed skimmers will outperform oversized less well-designed skimmers on small to medium sized systems. I've never used the Aqua-C line or similar skimmers before, so I can't really comment on them. Personally, I've had pretty good luck with recirculating needlewheel skimmers like the Octopus Recirc. That is the way I would go if I was in your position, JMO.

 

[fliynhi]

Well I passed on the skimmer after considering the power consumption issue. I'm thinking I'll go back to looking for an Octopus or, if I can find a good deal, a Euro Reef. I really appreciate all of the input from you guys. Helped to make a decision with info I had never even considered. I'll be back to pick your brains some more as the months go on and I try to get my new tank set up.
Thanks again,
Shane