Skimmer size for total volume? or not?

[kc350twin]

Hello all I am in the process of a new build (slow). It will be a 112g display with a basement sump. I'm not totally sure on what size sump yet but was thinking in the 100-150g range. Do I buy a skimmer rated for the Display/ Bioload size or total volume size.

Thanks for your help this is new territory for me

Kc3

 

[mojo~]

usually you buy one based on the display volume. unless you are going with a really large sump. Its not a big deal really but you still really need to base it on the load in your tank. The load is in your display.

Ask yourself what are you doing with the sump? are you going to add more filtration ? or are you going to add a frag tank? qt? ect...?

Kc just shoot me a pm if ya need to.

 

[kc350twin]

Thanks Mojo
I mainly want to just add volume and maybe a frag section. Just glad to not be restricted by my stand dimensions.




Kc3

 

[Donkeykong]

I always consider total water volume and estimated Bio-load. Then go a bit bigger than I think I need, cause I always end up putting in a bit more bio load into the display then originally planned.

 

[BigBarnacles]

I would get a skimmer made to handle your total water volume. Since your sump flows to your display and your display drains to your sump it's all part of the system. If your skimmer is rated for 100 gallons and your total volume is 200 gallons you'll be under skimming your system. Look at it this way for example. Your display is 100 gallons and your sump is 50 gallons. Do you buy a heater to cover just the 100 gallon display? Of course not, you have 150 gallons of water to heat. Just my opinion.

 

[jerpa]

I would probably go somewhere between the total volume and DT volume. Skimmers remove waste generated by the life in your DT, but waste will also be produced from life in a refugium, and frag tank. I would add these into the equation and not worry about the equipment sump volume. Mojo knows his stuff and can give you specific recommendations since some manufacturer ratings are misleading.

I don't agree with the heater analogy though. All the water in your system needs heated and all the water does need cleaned. However skimmers are sized, supposedly, based on the amount of waste entering a system and the skimmers ability to remove it. A 75 gal tank with a moderate load and a 20 gallon sump will need a larger skimmer than a 40 gal with a moderate load and a 40 gal sump despite similar total volumes.

 

[n00311]

choose a skimmer based on the total water volume and the bio load you plan on having and choose one a little bigger

 

[BigBarnacles]

I would probably go somewhere between the total volume and DT volume. Skimmers remove waste generated by the life in your DT, but waste will also be produced from life in a refugium, and frag tank. I would add these into the equation and not worry about the equipment sump volume. Mojo knows his stuff and can give you specific recommendations since some manufacturer ratings are misleading.

I don't agree with the heater analogy though. All the water in your system needs heated and all the water does need cleaned. However skimmers are sized, supposedly, based on the amount of waste entering a system and the skimmers ability to remove it. A 75 gal tank with a moderate load and a 20 gallon sump will need a larger skimmer than a 40 gal with a moderate load and a 40 gal sump despite similar total volumes.

Not arguing, just picking your brain and discussing. How do you determine that not all of the water needs to be cleaned? You can't pick what water to clean and not to clean in a system. It all runs through the skimmer regardless. I guess your saying that it only needs to be so clean. My disagreement is that I've never heard of problems with someone's tank being to clean. I've heard of many problems with excess nutrients due to under skimmed tanks. Total water volume is total water volume. Whether your heating it or cleaning it it's still there and is part of your overall system. I guess I just disagree with suggesting a skimmer rated for 100 gal on a 200 gal system. Would the analogy "my new skimmer doesn't work well but that's ok since I really don't need the water that clean" work better than the heater analogy? Like I said, not picking a fight, just don't agree with you. I want the OP to see why his question is important.

 

[BigBarnacles]

Sorry...misread your post. Thought you disagreed with all of the water not needing cleaning. :crazy1: My opinion still stands however.