New tank, new BK skimmer

[LesMartin]

I've always wanted a Bubble King. The build quality, the reputation, the name Tank is 1000 Litres and will have a fairly heavy bioload as I keep several carpet anemones which are fed several times a week and a group of relatively large anthias - A. pictillis - along with an assortment of other wrasse, amongst them a C.gaimard at 8" and a largish pair of clowns etc. I've got my eye on a Supermarin 250 with RD3. Is this too big ? Tell me it's just right.

 

[Premiumaq]

LesMartin -

I would ask slief via PM for a recommendation, because he's involved with all of the discussions regarding the BK line.

Here's a quick link to PM: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/private.php?do=newpm&u=225253

 

[slief]

I've always wanted a Bubble King. The build quality, the reputation, the name Tank is 1000 Litres and will have a fairly heavy bioload as I keep several carpet anemones which are fed several times a week and a group of relatively large anthias - A. pictillis - along with an assortment of other wrasse, amongst them a C.gaimard at 8" and a largish pair of clowns etc. I've got my eye on a Supermarin 250 with RD3. Is this too big ? Tell me it's just right.

Sorry for the late response. I was actually at the RE USA Florida facility this last week and got back yesterday.

Your tank size is right at the minium for the SM250. While it would work OK, I don't really see your bioload as being all that heavy and I don't think your tank would have enough dissolved organics to keep the skimmer as consistent as I would like if it were my tank. I run a Supermarin 250 with the RD3 on my 480g display and absolutely love it but I have around 60 fish in it that are fed 3x a day. Several of my fish are large 8" plus tangs along with a big butterfly and a large foxface, several anthias, more than a dozen good sized cardinals and a bunch of other fish. I had an Alpha 300 before my SM250 and switched because the Alpha was a bit oversized my tank size and load despite my heavy stock and heavy feedings. The end result was that the Alpha wasn't nearly as consistent as the smaller SM250 which does a much better job for me with no futzing.

My concern would be consistancy given the size of that skimmer and you relatively low load for that particular skimmer . If it were me, I'd lean towards the Supermarin 200. It's a bit smaller and would be more consistent for your tank and stock load. These skimmers are extremely efficient and I'm of the mindset that you are far better off with a skimmer that works consistently hard than an oversized skimmer (relative to the bio load) that hardly has to work and is inconsistent as a result.

You could go either way but if it were me, I'd go with the SM200 with the RD3 or the double Cone 250 with the RD3. Both are great skimmers and either of those two would do a great job on your tank and be much more consistent than the SM250 IMO.

 

[LesMartin]

Thanks for the comprehensive reply. Unfortunately (?) I've already ordered the 250 as it was on sale. Oh well, I'll have to get some more fish

 

[slief]

Thanks for the comprehensive reply. Unfortunately (?) I've already ordered the 250 as it was on sale. Oh well, I'll have to get some more fish

I think you will be fine. Set your sump level to 9" and set the skimmer pump to around 38-40 watts and see how it does. If you need to, then close the wedge pipe a bit. You will love that skimmer and you can certainly keep a well stocked tank with it. :thumbsup: