Skimmer to Small ?

[SDboatguy]

I just replaced a cone skimmer with a 6" body with a skimmer that also has a 6" body, The first was "rated" for tanks "up to 240 gal". The current one is only rated to 90 gal. They seem pretty much the same physically and pull about the same amount of skimmate out. I am noticing the new one is a little more erratic as far as day to day amount , but over a week about the same. So how can I tell if it really is to small for the system?

 

[davocean]

Different companies seem to have their own ratings, some more accurate or realistic than others, so to better answer your question it would help to know what brand of skimmers we are talking about, and maybe what size your tank is.

 

[SDboatguy]

Fair enough , tho I was looking for non bias answers!! I had a Seaside Aquatics Hero 180 ( Bubble Magus CS 180?) and I'm currently running the new Vertex Somatic 60. Tank is 60x18x20 with a 35 gal sump/fuge , so about 130gal by vol. I knew the new skimmer was rated lowwer than what I had , but it is almost identical in size ...

 

[jason2459]

6" body is a good size for your tank with a neck smaller then 4" and around 800-900lph air draw.

I don't look at the skimmers ratings. I look at the body dimensions, neck dimensions, and pump air draw.

6" body is good for around 90 to 150. By then I'd bump up to an 8" body and around a 4" neck and 1000+ lph air draw.

If dealing with a needle wheel skimmer...

 

[SDboatguy]

Thanks Jason, that's what I was looking at. The neck on the somatc is slightly less than 4" ,I think, and definitely a tad smaller than the previous skimmer. As far as air draw , I think the somatic states 400-600lph , so a little low. As I said , it does seem to be doing the job, just not sure how good a job its doing!

 

[jason2459]

The more air draw and bigger neck will need more DOC to produce. That seems pretty low for air draw so would need a smaller neck.

Its a balancing act between it all. What I stated above is pretty loose. Like a 6" skimmer with around 1000lph air draw and a 4" neck would need a good amount of bioload but could easily handle a 150 heavily stocked.