is skimmer overrated for tank??

[4age]

Hi guys

Im planning on redoing my tank...current external skimmer has a mesh wheel mod and will be changed, as I believe the meshwheel coupled with the np pellets is chowing potassium as I have to dose the tank constantly( daily on a doser) to keep potassium stable, also need the space under the tank for another tank.

total water volume will be about 120-140 gallons considering displacement by rock etc..probably closer to 120 gallons..tank is running on np pellets and planning on going bare base..i am planning on using a Reef Octopus sro 3000sss skimmer..you guys think it will be overkill on the system?worried bout overskimming

should I be concerned or should I just run the skimmer and add more fish?

 

[PaleHorse]

nope

 

[trueblackpercula]

is skimmer overrated for tank??

Nope I think they help a reef tank thrive

 

[4age]

lol..sorry..title not very clear..meant to be if the sro3000 was over rated for size of tank

 

[Bpb]

I've observed skimmers being both under and over rated. More often over rated. I like to run one for the oxygenation they provide, as well as the small waste removal fudge factor. I've heard new hobbyists talk about wanting a skimmer so badly because they believe it will rid their tank of algae overnight, and others claim that they literally do nothing.

Oops. Misread the post topic as well...I say run the largest skimmer you can fit, and run it dry if it's working too well

 

[Hollifields]

+1

Totally agree with Bpb and if you upgrade your skimmer may no need be!

 

[Fishy 1]

Generally speaking you cannot over skim a tank (especially a SPS dominant one).
Go big or go home I say

 

[AdamNC]

I have a 29 gallon tank with a skimmer that is rated for up to 75 gallon.

 

[fijisrfr]

I have a 50 gal with skimmer rated for 130 gal.

 

[bogg]

To answer your ?
If your having potassium issues yes ime switching out the nw will make a world of a difference I currently have a kz s on an elos 120xl
Also ime you CAN over skim I did it with an swc a1
I've also done it with a couple g3s modded on a 100
Ime it needs to be right sized
Results will vary depending on the tank and stocking bio load etc but your talking
Bb with bp etc so the above quotes pertain

 

[Stevenliu9]

The only time I heard someone 'downgrade' their skimmer (this guys tank was amazing) was while the skimmer makes his acro happy, it was killing his zoas and he thinks they prefer the water a 'tad' dirty, so he switched to a smaller skimmer as compromize to make everything reltivelt happy.

 

[Funkateer_1]

Venturi skimming is much easier on elements ime. Ditch the needlewheel, try a tunze DOC, Aqua-C, or KZ skimmer.

 

[Benar]

KZ Revolution M on an 80g? I'd consider this over skimming, it sits idle A LOT and gets to work for a bit after feeding.

 

[animalkingdom]

If you use a commercial skimmer I dont think you can overskim as you can always skim dryer.
Modded skimmers are another story. I once put a bubble blaster 2000 on a Skimz SM121 body and sitting 4 inches above the water line I got skim mate like I was used to. Over time I noticed corals were suffering. I put the eden pump that came with the skimz back on it and things went back to normal. I think the oversized needle wheel pump to body ratio was too much.

 

[4age]

Venturi skimming is much easier on elements ime. Ditch the needlewheel, try a tunze DOC, Aqua-C, or KZ skimmer.

ok cool..i do have a spare tunze doc 9011 rated for 1000 litres and my tank is about 500litres with sump etc. might be better to sell the bb3000 and just use the tunze..its super quiet as well which is a plus

 

[Piper27]

The only time I heard someone 'downgrade' their skimmer (this guys tank was amazing) was while the skimmer makes his acro happy, it was killing his zoas and he thinks they prefer the water a 'tad' dirty, so he switched to a smaller skimmer as compromize to make everything reltivelt happy.

I dont believe a skimmer will kill zoas. Zoas liking dirty water is not true ime.

 

[4age]

anyone think the tunze 9011 doc will be sufficient for a 120-140 gallon sps system run with np pellets?

 

[Piper27]

I thought that skimmer was overrated when i tried it. It always skimmed dark but for its size i guess it worked ok. By no means a beast imo. I wouldnt use it on a 120 if it was heavily stocked with biopelets. But that doesnt mean it wont work for you.