Running Dual skimmers.

[SeanT]

I have a 180 w/ 125 sump.
Currently I have a Deltec AP 702...great skimmer.
I don't know if it is big enough for the tank I am planning.

So my choices are either to buy a larger Deltec or BK, or buy another skimmer similarly rated and run them in tandem.

I posted this in the large tank forum then I got to thinking.

My common sense would dictate to me that running two smaller skimmers would get a better skim as more of the tanks volume is getting skimmed.

That seem sound?

 

[goodreef]

There was lots of Bros here in Malaysia that was asking the same question also ... I know of 2 people who tried, but found that when running 2 skimmers, one will be working extra hard, but the second will almost be totally flat!!!

Not sure why, but the general feeling is that it is better to use 1 skimmer rather than 2.

 

[SeanT]

Very interesting.
I wonder why that is.

 

[demonsp]

Over skimming can remove wanted trace eliments. If your current skimmer cant keep up then i would upgrade or reduce amount of fish.

 

[NATIVEVAMAN]

Maybe the one skimmer works harder than th other because of competition for raw water.Since tanks as large as you plan have more than one overflow,why not put a skimmer at each end of the sump?

 

[goodreef]

If I had to install 2 skimmer, I'll split the overflow into 2, which goes DIRECTLY into the 2 skimmers. This would ensure that each skimmer has first-hand protein rich over flow water to skim.

 

[ConsultantERP]

I would think that if one skimmer is doing work and the second is flat, then 1 skimmer is enough. Try Macro Algae in a refugium, my understaning is that Macro Algae will remove more types of nutrients than a skimmer is capable of removing.

 

[SeanT]

I am only running one skimmer.
I am considering upgrading tanks and instead of buying a larger skimmer, it would be easier to buy another same sized skimmer.

 

[diverdick]

I have had two set up simultaneously and for what its worth, only one produced skimate at any one given time. Not sure about this one. One good thing is you can clean one while the other stays and vis-versa....

--Rich

 

[tonyespinoza]

There's a guy in the SPS forum that runs two H&S skimmers (one wet and one dry). In fact he runs his wet one so wet that he has to top off with salt water! I think his name is Anthony -- beautiful tank.

I've heard of some folks (JarHead) planning to run a smaller skimmer in his sump because he says it will keep his sump cleaner. (This is a 500g+ system.)

While I like the redundancy aspect, my gut says that over the longer term keeping one skimmer cranking along and clean would be the preferable route from a husbandry perspective.

 

[goodreef]

I also run my skimmer SUPER WET. I remove about 1 ltr of skim every 12 hrs (before work & before bed). This way, I save a bit of work during my regular water changes!!

 

[Saboral]

I am in the opposite opinion of a lot of people, I feel you can't over-skim. I have crystal clear water and I run a twin injector MR3 on a 90 Gallon. I do this because I am planning on a larger setup very run, but at the same time I feel it has done wonders for my tank. I use amino acid dosing and several other high concentration dosings to make sure the trace elements stay up, but if you can afford to dose in the first place I wouldn't worry about the skimmer "overdoing" it.

 

[zens]

when you run really wet do you have to add salt to your top off?

 

[hahnmeister]

Actually, in the EU, running dual skimmers isnt uncommon. The reasoning is that after you clean some skimmers, they take a day to break in again and skim (depends on the skimmer no doubt). So they run two skimmers and clean them on different days... that way there is no lag in skimming.

 

[SeanT]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12315809#post12315809 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by zens
when you run really wet do you have to add salt to your top off?

I don't.
Just keep an eye on your salinity...if it gets low add some salt water to your sump.
That way the evap won't be replaced by fresh water from your top off.

 

[little_squid]

i run 2 asm g4x on a 125 and love it both are fed by the returns

 

[Shawn D]

I like how little squid does it it makes a lot of sense sense all water coming out of the display tank is being skimmed.

 

[Roland Jacques]

I think there might be some good benifits to running 2 skimmer that are very different than each other.

1 skimmer large with 1 mintes plus dwell/flow through.
1 high flow type skimmer. (quad beckett...)

I think their are waste particals that over time loss thier ability to be pulled out by skimming. So the sooner this waste sees the skimmer the better.

Then i think their are waste particals that need a gental area and/or longer times for the waste to stay attached to thier bubble.