Skimmer Help

nihard

New member
HI Folks,

I purchased a 160g starfire glass tank with 40g sump. I want to know what type of skimmer I should get; in sump or external. Please advise.
 
You asked a very popular question where everyone will have their own answer.
Consider looking into the STICKY: ***SETTING UP: HOW TO!!! Comprehensive list of articles for the newbie aquarist!!!***
Amongst other topics it mentions skimmers.
With your size of DT and sump you definitely need a 200g or larger in-sump skimmer.
Have fun!
 
I have used both external and internal. With external you may experience some flooding when it overflows - and it will.

With an internal, when it overflows it will dump all the crap back into the tank.

Safest to prevent flooding is internal. My sump is in the basement on a concrete floor and flooding is not an issue. Don't want it but it won't harm anything.

Yes, floods will occur. My laminate flooring under and around the tank is destroyed. Was able to move the sump to the basement after a major flood brought down the finished ceiling in a part of the basement, this allowing me to run the necessary plumbing.
 
I have a big sump and like having everything with running water in the sump...

Just reduces the chance of a big leak...
 
i Have had both internal and external skimmers. I think internal skimmers Seem to be more Stable and less over flowing. Easier to get dialed in right. But of course I have a huge sump. So you must have a VERY Stable sump water level and at the level for the skimmer you choose..Internal equipment for me except Return pump. Mine is BIG with high head height and get HOT. Could not imagine a basement sump return pump internal.
 
Im using a Skimz Monzter SM201, it is rated for a tank your size, i love it, i am also using a 40b for a sump and it gives me enough room for a decent fuge and 7-8g return section.
 
Im using a Skimz Monzter SM201, it is rated for a tank your size, i love it, i am also using a 40b for a sump and it gives me enough room for a decent fuge and 7-8g return section.

Same skimmer here and its Doing Fine so Far. its on its 3rd week . The pump in these skimmers produce way more air then any i have seen. I have the air almost totally closed on mine and the gate near full open and its still Producing well..
This tells me i could increase my Bio load maybe 200% or so ...
 
Same skimmer here and its Doing Fine so Far. its on its 3rd week . The pump in these skimmers produce way more air then any i have seen. I have the air almost totally closed on mine and the gate near full open and its still Producing well..
This tells me i could increase my Bio load maybe 200% or so ...

yeah i have my air valve open about 1/4 turn been closing my gate valve to home in on the dry skim everyone seems to love, got a black skim a few days ago, then i cleaned the cup out and this skim is a bit wetter so im tuning again.
 
yeah i have my air valve open about 1/4 turn been closing my gate valve to home in on the dry skim everyone seems to love, got a black skim a few days ago, then i cleaned the cup out and this skim is a bit wetter so im tuning again.

You do not need to readjust it . When you clean it Just rinse the inside of the Cone off with water . do not clean it well. Just get the gunk off it..
in a hour it will be right back where it was before you emptied it.I am using a Collection Jug on the floor. So i Clean the top of the cone by just going around it with a kinda not so soft brush that picks up the buildup only.. Not Turning the skimmer off.
 
kk thanks ill start doing that, i have been cleaning the neck when i empty it, i may hook a drain tube up to it, i saw some containers at wally world that would suffice quite nicely.
Im just a fiddly person, im hoping the tank breaks me of that soon lol.
 
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