What's the best bang for the buck skimmer these days for a very heavily stocked 250 gallons of total water volume? Lots of fish and coral -all varieties. I fear my current internal octopus 2000 sro isn't keeping up anymore. I have space for an external and would like to expand the Refugium area in my sump. Thanks
Recommend an external skimmer for 250 gallons
- Thread starter giants4pc
- Start date
ridetheducati
20 and Over Club
We get bored and even worried once we stare at equipment too long.
What makes you feel that your skimmer is not producing?
Are fish dying?
Do you see a greasy film at the top of the water line?
Are SPS dying?
Is nitrate and phosphates off the chart despite weekly 20% water changes?
Chances are that your skimmer is probably ok but for an external skimmer from the people I have met over the years it seems the reef octupus external skimmers are very reliable.
What makes you feel that your skimmer is not producing?
Are fish dying?
Do you see a greasy film at the top of the water line?
Are SPS dying?
Is nitrate and phosphates off the chart despite weekly 20% water changes?
Chances are that your skimmer is probably ok but for an external skimmer from the people I have met over the years it seems the reef octupus external skimmers are very reliable.
I have lost a few fish over the past few months. I don't see a greasy film but I do have consistently brown sand. Coral looks great though so no complaints there. I do weekly 20 gallon water changes and continuously run carbon and gfo in reactors.
I just think I should be getting more skimmate. Each week it probably collects about an inch worth of skimmate. Another reason I want a new one is that I would like to expand the fuge area of my sump. An external would allow me to do so.
Measure nitrates and phosphates. If they are climbing, then export mechanisms are inadequate (of which the skimmer is one component). If you conclude a better skimmer is in the cards, then for a tank of this size I'd be looking at something a bit more robust, MRC, MRC or Lifereef.
Drae
RAIDER NATION!
What size is your display? Chances are your 6" diameter sro 2000 is absolutely maxed out and isn't keeping up and in turn your phosphates and nitrates are rising. I tend to size skimmers a tad on the smaller side of over sizing... if your display is a fully stocked 180 or bigger your skimmer is too small.
gcarroll
Active member
I would suggest getting one of the fine European skimmers however the prices are insane. Years ago they raised the prices of European skimmers because of the exchange rate. Unfortunately, the dollar is super strong right now but the European products prices do not reflect that. If the prices were adjusted for the exchange rate even Bubble King Skimmers would be somewhat more reasonable!
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