I have a 225 RR tank with a 75gal sump. I figure total volume to be somewhere around 275gal. I have a fairly medium to large bio-load.
I am currently running an OCT NW-200--i know--a little bit underpowered for the size of system.
Anyway--the tank has been doing great and the skimmer really pulls out a lot of gunk--especially since I started dosing sugar a few months back.
I have a few things that I would like to accomplish, but I'm not sure if I should just look at upgrading to a different/larger skimmer, or just try to do some mods to this one.
Here are my questions and goals:
1. Even though everything is doing great currently--is the system going to suffer in the long run from not having a larger and/or more efficient skimmer?
2. Since I started dosing sugar I have to clean out the waste collector weekly--I really like the idea of a waste collector with the auto-shutoff option--but they seem to only be available for certain brands of skimmer (ex. AquaC). Is their another option?
Also I've heard that some people don't use waste colletors because it keeps you from cleaning the collection cup as often thus reducing skimmer performance. Is this true or fiction?
I would think it would be the opposite, but I really don't know.
3. My current skimmer is 24" tall--so if I do go to another brand of skimmer I need to keep the height around the same. I can go larger in diameter, as it is a standard 75gal tank that I'm using for my sump. I could probably also squeeze another few inches on height, but I would definitely need to incorporate a waste collector as it would be very difficult to remove the collection cup if it was taller.
And--as always, I need to stay within reason on budget. I can't afford the Ferrari of skimmers, so please don't start recommending Deltic, BK, and H&S as there is no way I can afford those.
I don't mind spending a little money if it will really benefit the system, but I'm not looking to spend more than my house payment on a skimmer.
Hope all this makes sense.
Please give all the recommendations and opinions you have, as I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks
I am currently running an OCT NW-200--i know--a little bit underpowered for the size of system.
Anyway--the tank has been doing great and the skimmer really pulls out a lot of gunk--especially since I started dosing sugar a few months back.
I have a few things that I would like to accomplish, but I'm not sure if I should just look at upgrading to a different/larger skimmer, or just try to do some mods to this one.
Here are my questions and goals:
1. Even though everything is doing great currently--is the system going to suffer in the long run from not having a larger and/or more efficient skimmer?
2. Since I started dosing sugar I have to clean out the waste collector weekly--I really like the idea of a waste collector with the auto-shutoff option--but they seem to only be available for certain brands of skimmer (ex. AquaC). Is their another option?
Also I've heard that some people don't use waste colletors because it keeps you from cleaning the collection cup as often thus reducing skimmer performance. Is this true or fiction?
I would think it would be the opposite, but I really don't know.
3. My current skimmer is 24" tall--so if I do go to another brand of skimmer I need to keep the height around the same. I can go larger in diameter, as it is a standard 75gal tank that I'm using for my sump. I could probably also squeeze another few inches on height, but I would definitely need to incorporate a waste collector as it would be very difficult to remove the collection cup if it was taller.
And--as always, I need to stay within reason on budget. I can't afford the Ferrari of skimmers, so please don't start recommending Deltic, BK, and H&S as there is no way I can afford those.
I don't mind spending a little money if it will really benefit the system, but I'm not looking to spend more than my house payment on a skimmer.
Hope all this makes sense.
Please give all the recommendations and opinions you have, as I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks
