Multiple Skimmers for one system?

[Atomic081]

Im in the process of planning a 750 gallon tank (120"x48"x30"). Ill have somewhere around 1200 total gallons by the time im done with the sump, fragtank, refugium, etc. The problem is that finding a used skimmer for this size tank is very hard and new ones are VERY expensive. I also have one smaller 400g rated skimmer for my current tank. Im going to have 2 overflows from the display, each of them will run to a separate 50g rubbermaid stock tank, then to 2 7" filtersocks, then down to a 150g sump and back to the display. This picture shows what it will look like.



because its a 10ft tank and the overflows will be at opposite sides and they are in separate sumps. I dont think they will compete with each other. I might even add a 3rd skimmer/skimmer sump off the frag tank if needed.

Do you think multiple skimmers will work as well as one big one?

 

[billdogg]

I don't think it'd be a problem at all

 

[ericarenee]

looks sound to me... Not to mention if you have one of the skimmers go down your Not dead without one until you get it back up...

 

[Atomic081]

looks sound to me... Not to mention if you have one of the skimmers go down your Not dead without one until you get it back up...

Exactly what i was thinking. Ill also go with 6 smaller heaters when i could probably get by with 3 bigger ones.

 

[Atomic081]

i did find a Bubble Magus curve D12 for under 600 dollars. Not bad for 1000+ gal rating.

Any clue what that rating really means? Cause if I have a 850 gallons of stocked tanks (display and frag tank) but 1200 gallons including a refugium, liverock bin, skimmer sumps, UV filter, ATS, and water changing station. Do i need rating for all 1200 gallons?

 

[zoolan70]

i did find a Bubble Magus curve D12 for under 600 dollars. Not bad for 1000+ gal rating.

Any clue what that rating really means? Cause if I have a 850 gallons of stocked tanks (display and frag tank) but 1200 gallons including a refugium, liverock bin, skimmer sumps, UV filter, ATS, and water changing station. Do i need rating for all 1200 gallons?

It all depends on your stocking level and what the company is using as a baseline. I've always felt it best to buy skimmers with a rating double of my water volume that will contain fish. So, if I have a 500 gallon display and a 100 gallon frag tank with fish it, I wouldn't go smaller than a 1200 gallon rating.

Now, once you get into 'commercial grade' skimmers, I'm not sure that they are as 'flexible' with their ratings, so they maybe closer to real-life numbers.

If you haven't, take a look at Bill Wann's stuff. He might have something that fits a sweet spot for you.

 

[Vinny Kreyling]

Nanook Is selling his big skimmer.

 

[ca1ore]

Skimmer rating is poppycock if you ask me. I am unaware of any comprehensive testing across multiple systems with sophisticated testing of organics levels. It's the 'well it looks like it ought to handle ..... ' approach to sizing. Even if the sizing was accurate, no way to accurately proxy the bio load in your tank anyhow. But of course we're in the era of fake facts, so why not skimmers .....

 

[Spatler]

I am currently thinking of doing the same thing. The only concern I have is over skimming the tank and stripping the water.

 

[ComforablyNumb]

"The only concern I have is over skimming the tank and stripping the water."

I thought for sps you wanted the water as pristine as possible... as for softies starving because of clean water, maybe it happens but I haven't experienced it.

 

[Spatler]

Depends on what you read I guess. Eric Bourneman seemed to have thought so.

 

[ComforablyNumb]

I guess it does depend on who you speak to. sleif (RC sponsor) says over skimming is a myth.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2622649

 

[Spatler]

Thanks for the link. And without hijacking the thread I shall have a good old read up.