Skimmer for 80G SPS tank?

[LordDarth Bane]

Hi,



The Aquabee 2000i of the current skimmer just died last week after running for 8yrs. I am now looking for upgrading to a better skimmer and after some suggestion.



The display tank is 90x50x50cm (36"x20"x20"). Total system volume minus rocks is about 300L (~80G)



I saw the Vertex Omega 180i at the local store and it looks quite good. But would it be too big for my system?



The water depth of the sump is about 14". I read that the water depth for the 180i needs to be around 8" but I don't have enough space over the sump to raise it that high. If I place it like in 11" of water could it work? Would it be overflow?



Any other suggestion? How about the Bubble King Mini 180?



Cheers.

 

[slief]

Hi,



The Aquabee 2000i of the current skimmer just died last week after running for 8yrs. I am now looking for upgrading to a better skimmer and after some suggestion.



The display tank is 90x50x50cm (36”x20”x20”). Total system volume minus rocks is about 300L (~80G)



I saw the Vertex Omega 180i at the local store and it looks quite good. But would it be too big for my system?



The water depth of the sump is about 14”. I read that the water depth for the 180i needs to be around 8” but I don’t have enough space over the sump to raise it that high. If I place it like in 11” of water could it work? Would it be overflow?



Any other suggestion? How about the Bubble King Mini 180?



Cheers.

It’ll overflow as will most other skimmers including the Mini 180. The Mini 180 would be oversized for your display and not perform consistently anyways. The Mini 160 would be a much better choice for your display size but you’d still need to raise the skimmer to about 9” of depth.

 

[LordDarth Bane]

Thanks.

I read an old post that the mini 160 had the extra slim version but now I couldn't find it on any other website. Is it discontinued? It seems that they only make extra slim version for the 180 and 200 now?

https://************.com/2015/08/26/extra-slim-mini-bubble-king-160-vs12-skimmer/#

The skimmer compartment of my sump is 25cm x 40cm. I checked that the mini 160 is 23cm x 24cm. So if I place the 23cm side on the 25cm side, the water inlet of the pump would be very close to the glass (with only 1~2cm left)

The extra slim version would be more ideal as the water inlet is facing the other side. Would the 180 extra slim be really too big for my system?

Thanks.

 

[slief]

Thanks.

I read an old post that the mini 160 had the extra slim version but now I couldn't find it on any other website. Is it discontinued? It seems that they only make extra slim version for the 180 and 200 now?

https://************.com/2015/08/26/extra-slim-mini-bubble-king-160-vs12-skimmer/#

The skimmer compartment of my sump is 25cm x 40cm. I checked that the mini 160 is 23cm x 24cm. So if I place the 23cm side on the 25cm side, the water inlet of the pump would be very close to the glass (with only 1~2cm left)

The extra slim version would be more ideal as the water inlet is facing the other side. Would the 180 extra slim be really too big for my system?

Thanks.

The Mini 160 Extra Slims are not being produced at the moment. There was very little demand for them so the factory halted production for the foreseeable future. The lack of demand for that extra slim model didn't warrant the production costs.

 

[LordDarth Bane]

If my skimmer compartment is 40cm x 25cm, could you confirm if the Mini 160 could fit in?

If I place like this there is only 1cm left if the measurements are accurate.....

Or if I place like this, there would be 2cm left. But would it be too narrow for the water inlet of the pump? Also, I notice that there would be the power cable at the back which might take some space, so the actual clearance from the water inlet might be less than 2cm?

On the other hand, I am pretty sure the Mini180 extra slim could bit. For this case, would you consider it even if it's too big for my system?

Thanks!

 

[slief]

If my skimmer compartment is 40cm x 25cm, could you confirm if the Mini 160 could fit in?

If I place like this there is only 1cm left if the measurements are accurate.....

Thanks!

The way you have it in the first picture would be best since the skimmer is 240 long and you have 25cm (250mm). You don't want the nozzle 2cm from the side of the sump. I suppose you could try it that way. It may be OK provided you actually have 2cm but it would make nozzle removal difficult for routine cleaning of the venturi port. Thus, I would position the skimmer the way you have it in the first picture. As I said before, I think the Mini 180 would be too large unless you are planning an awful lot of fish. Personally I'd stick with the 160. Just make sure that your sump dimensions are internal dimensions and not the external dimensions.

 

[reeftivo]

first picture for sure. if your concerned about the effluent being restricted since it is so close to the corner you could raise you sump level a couple of inches and put it on a stand. that would lessen the restriction by allowing the effluent more room to release downward and out. if you can't or don't want to raise it, it should still work well.