Skimmer for 500G system

M

man1410

Member
Moving and looking to expand the system. 180 G tank, 150 G fuge and 150 G sump. I am expecting the total volume would be 400G or more.
Looking to get recommendations for skimmer from people with large systems- 'efficient skimmer and good value for money'.
Please feel free to share your experience.
Thanks.
 
I'm setting up a system for a guy with a 250 gallon display and I am using an H&S 250-2x1260 skimmer. I think its rated for around 500 gallons or so. Should handle your system nicely and is easy on the power consumption.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8758214#post8758214 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TurboSnail8898
I'm setting up a system for a guy with a 250 gallon display and I am using an H&S 250-2x1260 skimmer. I think its rated for around 500 gallons or so. Should handle your system nicely and is easy on the power consumption.
Click to expand...
AGREE! :thumbsup: $1699.99 and rated up to 750g capacity, but can more than handle a 500g heavy bioload.
 
Well this is gonna open a can of worms but...........

The ER RC500 has a 12" body with 3 eheim pumps. For $1668.

1 more pump then the mentioned skimmers above.

The H&S is a great skimmer, but the RC500 is bigger and more powerful for the same price. Probably a better choice for the OP.

Cheers,

Jim
 
What's your budget? do you want external? is wattage important to you? how much room?

IMO all of these well easyly handle you tank
H&S 250-2x1260 skimmer
$1700 Recirc (Best built)

Euroreef CS 400 correction
$850? insump

Octopus DNW-400
$1050 recirc (Very big)

ATI BM 250
$750 insump Lowest watage Highest air and very short

MCR MR-3R
$550 recirc lowest price
 
The new impellors for ER and finally getting back to Eheim pumps is a big plus. But based on what I've seen, you can just slap a good pump onto just any old skimmer body... I'm sure there's lots of Engineering that goes behind balancing a skimmer to the pumps. Manufacturer's specs don't mean a whole lot if the body diameter, column height, riser tube diameter and location height of the pump is not balanced to the pump. I got this info from discussions with several of the skimmer Engineers that fabricate some of the top skimmers. ER does look really promising... but read this thread before deciding:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=994815&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

I forwarded you some info on skimmer choices, please check your PM inbox when you get a chance.
 
I have really been impressed with the ER RC skimmers using the Eheim pump, but if you have the cash the H&S is worth it. The build quality is a little better than ER and much better than Deltec (based on my experience with the three skimmers). It doesn't take much to build an exceptional tank, as long as you have the financial means to get the right equipment.
 
Its all been discussed and the people in these threads are always the same 4-5 guys. The thing is everyone has different experiences and all have different preferences. ER, Deltec, H&S will all get the job done, bottom line.
 
i reaaly think you can get away with a much smaller skimmer than most of these mentioned here. depending aallot on your refugium and whats in it.

Your tank is a 180

The rest should not add to that Bio load, unless you design it to.

you need to put a lot of thought into the filter design, flow path, tank turn over... would all play apart in what size skimmer i would use. If your skimmer is only seeing 300- 400Gallons a hour or less consider that.
 
I always wonder about the total capacity thing. There is a 180G display, 150 sump, 150 fuge.

The only component that "produces" waste is the 180 display. The 150 fuge reduces waste, and lets call the sump neutral. Why do you need a skimmer for the whole system capacity?

Suppose you had a 180G with X amount of livestock, and a 400G with the same amount of livestock. Both would produce the same amount of waste. Shouldn't the skimmer be sized for the amount of waste it needs to remove?
 
Roland's right, what's your budget? He has a lot of good recommendations on his post.

I will also bow out, I don't want to be responsible for starting any skimmer wars. :D I got tired of being slammed by the many ER owners that I finally decided to post that last bit of info about manufacturer claims and ratings. Bye... :)

edit - jimdogg187 never slammed me, he's a nice ER owner!!! :thumbsup:
 
Last edited:
sjm817

I agreed,

But some fuges are very diferent than others. That why the design is important to me. I think in some cases fuges can add DOC depending on how it setup...
 
Thanks Guys.
I may spend the money if the skimmer is actually worth it. Sounds like the options are there and I need to figure out which one the is best for a given amount of money.
Answer to the question about the space- I am planning to put the fuge and sump in the basement. I am waiting for two Rubbermaid tubs to be delivered- 150G each.
 
roland just curious on what u think is a good fuge design? setting up a new tank looking for input...thanks scott
 
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