Protein Skimmer Recommendation for Large Tank

[antciam]

I just bought a my first house so obviously I am looking to upgrade my 75 gallon reef tank to something bigger. My three choices are a 220 gallon 72x24x30, the Marineland 200DD and the 300DD. I am trying to get an idea of the cost of equipment and I need some recommendations for a protein skimmer that is rated for such a large tank. Any advice would be useful.

 

[A Reef Scene]

I would go as big as money and time allows. I have used many different types, as of now I like the Skimz brand and use a monster 252. The olny draw back is finding a 50mm pvc to 1.5 inch union, that had to be special ordered.

 

[SUPPOReefer]

The SRO3000 line would be fine for any of those. The bubble blaster pump is hard to beat in performance and efficency.

 

[SPotter]

ATB skimmers are great!

 

[antciam]

Would you do in-sump or external?

 

[kevinandnadine]

I have really enjoyed my Super Reef Octopuse XP 3000-int with the automatic neck cleaner. I would definitely buy one again.
We have a 240gal with 24 fish and losts of LPS and a few SPS. Combined with a productive refugium this skimmer keeps our paramiters in line

 

[Pedro76]

Bubble King 300 Deluxe!

 

[SUPPOReefer]

Would you do in-sump or external?

If you have room, I recommend external. The internals don't require a feed pump, so there is a power savings. However, if you are using a pump to feed a UV filter, just use the output of the UV as the input for the external skimmer.

 

[cfsindorf]

NextReef externals!

 

[prop-frags]

We went big with our 300DD setup... SRO 6000 SS internal.
It's a beast, and the vendor support has been commendable.

 

[cesarjimen]

Hi, I'm planning to buy a 300 DD. did you get their stand and canopy? What type of sump are you using to fit the skimmer? Would love to compare notes.

 

[Renton777]

Just upgraded and am using a SRO 3000 in sump as well. Very much like it, had a SRO 2000 on my old tank and it was great as well.

 

[antciam]

I haven't decided if I am going to buy their stand and canopy. It really depends if I feel like being lazy or not. I can build a over the top stand, meaning using only 2*6 for half the price of their stand.

As for a sump I am planning on using a spare 75 gallon I have laying around. I haven't finalized a actual design yet.

Prop-frags I have been silently following your build and I am using it as a reference guide; you truly have an amazing tank. I agree with you, coralvue makes an amazing product and they back their products 100%. I am thinking about using their Reef Octopus Diablo XS 350. What do you think?

I am still trying to decide on which type of drain to use: herbie, bean animal, durso, etc. Any one have any suggestions? The sump will be under the tank in the stand and I don't object the idea of having external return pipes.

 

[cesarjimen]

That's a nice skimmer but at 25" tall that would only leave 0.75" left in the stand. I contacted marineland and the internal dimensions of the stand are 25.75". That's why I asked if you bought their stand because I'm struggling to find equipment that will fit under the tank for a 300 gal sps reef.

 

[antciam]

Yeah I know that's why I am leaning towards building my own stand.