Oversized Skimmer

[mpcart]

I'm going to begin a tank upgrade soon and I want to begin by plumbing my 58G into a large sump in my soon-to-be tank room. Currently, all my plumbing and equipment is under my stand.

I want to replace my 20L sump with a 70G rubbermaid stock tank and add a 75G BB frag tank as well as a fuge. So my overall system volume will grow from about 65 gallons to about 200 gallons.

So here is my problem . . . I am currently running a small EuroReef skimmer and a small DIY calcium reactor - both of which need upgrading for the new system (I think). I want to upgrade to an Octopus Skimmer rated at 600 gallons just like Stupid's (see his 240 build thread) and a Geo calcium reactor rated at 400 gallons. This is all to support a future 300-400 gallon system.

Here are my questions:

1) Will a skimmer rated at 600 gallons be too big for the intermediate (200 gallon) system?

2) Will the same skimmer be oversized for the final (300-400 gallon system) or can I same some money and get a slightly smaller skimmer rated at 350 gallons?

3) Is an ER5-3 skimmer okay for a 200 gallon system? And I'll just buy the bigger skimmer when I get the bigger tank.


4) I'm assuming an oversized Ca Rx is not a problem since it will just run less on the smaller system. Does this sound right?

Thanks for your help.

-Mike

 

[capncapo]

I think that there is no such thing as an oversize skimmer. MOST manufacturers overrate the capabilities of their skimmers.

I think I would go with the Octopus from the start if possible. I doubt that the EuroReef would handle that amount of water volume well.

 

[geoxman]

I would shoot Rs2208 am PM. He is taking down his tank and he has a ridiculous ER 12in diameter with 4 pumps on it that he will be selling.
He also has a Geo Ca reactor that he might sell.
I believe this is his skimmer, but I think his has four pumps?? I just never pay too much attention to it.
I do not know how much he wants but he did say he wants to sell it after I take his clam. PM him
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=ER1619

 

[StupidsReef]

Ok Mike, here are my answer's. Keep in mind they are JMHO from all the research that I've done.

1) There is no such thing as "over skimming". Yes you can rip out all of the nutrients in a tank, that is true. But if you feed your tank ( food for the fish the coral exce...) anything at all you are replacing it again. All food is nutrients therefor I don't feel that you can overskimm a tank. Plus what Capo said is correct.

2) Go with the skimmer of your choice, what you like. Just keep in mind that all skimmer's over shoot there product's capabilities, so go slightly bigger than what they state. The next step down Octopus 250 + your current skimmer would work. But the you have 2 skimmers more pumps and so on.

3) No. It would work it heart of but never keep up.

4) I've researched Ca reactors a bit. From what I gather you would be correct. The bigger the CA the less you have to replace the media. With that said I think the one you have would do ok on your new system. You would have to change/replace the media more often than you do now.