One Skimmer or Two?

[jermahin]

Currently I have approximately a 120 gallon system (110 tank/20 gallon sump/fuge- rock) that I have a Reef Octopus XS200 skimmer on that is working great. In the near future I will be upgrading to a 240g tank with a 50g sump/fuge. Would it be more beneficial to run one larger skimmer or two smaller skimmers (2-XS200's)? I'm not trying to avoid buying a new, larger skimmer. I'm just wondering if there is a benefit (or disadvantage) to running two skimmers as opposed to only one.

 

[jermahin]

???

 

[yh1185]

I would think as long as you had adequate flow throughout the system, there wouldn't be too much of a difference between either option. Though if the price doesn't really matter i don't think it'd hurt to get the bigger one just in case the xs200 you have now starts to have a problem. Just a thought. Good luck with the upgrade.

 

[tkeracer619]

One will result in better overall performance but dual skimmers is a possibility. I would however wait until you have purchased your new tank before buying a new properly sized one.

FWIW I think an XS200 would be fine on a 240g tank for a while until you start increasing the bioload from what you currently have that will be transferred. You might even be able to get away with a bb3000 pump replacement depending on how you stock and feed it.

 

[jermahin]

Thanks for the advice. I have a pretty low bio-load as it is now, I'll probably continue using the current skimmer until I put a plan together of how I will be stocking the new system. Thanks again