Oversized Skimmer....so what?

[Anemone0524]

I've been conditioned to believe that getting a skimmer designed for a much larger system is a bad thing. It occurred to me i'm not exactly sure why.

I have a 150 gallon tank, 200 total gallons of water in the system. Currently run a MSX200, which "does just fine". It's not an overperforming beast, but it gets the job done.

I have an option of getting a deal on a Bubble Master 250, which according to its specs is rated for 500 gallons. What would happen if I ran it on my system?

Currently i have a light bioload as i'm just gearing back up to stocking it. Would it just not foam properly because of not enough protein to extract? What's the actual disadvantage for overdoing it on a skimmer? Because honestly, i'd love it if it was just extremely amazing at pulling out proteins. I'm shooting for an ULNS anyways.

Thanks

 

[pimp4cheddar]

Always go bigger...

Many believe that at some point you will rob your system of vital trace elements (which is somewhat true)...but you're currently pumping 200 gallons through your system!

If you were throwing a Bubble Master 250 on a 20 gallon tank...I'd say no; but on a 200 gallon system...SKIM AWAY!

 

[Sk8r]

If you're keeping a lot of fish, a big skimmer; if you're keeping a lot of fish with lps or softies, the skimmer you've got is just fine: your corals will filter a lot of stuff, and love it; if you're keeping sps, the bigger the better.

 

[mscarpena]

If your going for a ULNS go right ahead. Just be sure you tank inhabitant are suited for a ULNS. Softies and some LPS do not do well under those conditions.

 

[canesfan44]

I think you should be fine. I typically use a skimmer that's rated for double my actual tank volume, but then again, the biggest tank I ever had was 75gallons.

 

[sandman111]

I'm running a bubble master 250 on my 180 with a 75 gallon sump.. I love it!

by the way it likes 7" of water.