Tell me which BK skimmer to buy

[RobertK]

Well, I can not wait any longer for the new BK cones to come out. I am going to go ahead and get a BK mini but not sure whether to get the 160 or 180. The tank is 70 gal w/ 15 gal sump and 10 gal refugium. It is heavily stocked and fed and has a lot of nuisance algae that I want to reduce. My old Euroreef CS6-2 still works but I need a skimmer that will outperform it. I know the 160 is rated for this size and the 180 for a bigger tank but I don't mind paying extra for the 180 if it will do a better job removing nutrients than the euroreef and the 160. However, I don't want to oversize the skimmer if it will underperform in a tank this size. Water level in the sump is 7.5". Please advise.
Thanks,
Robert

 

[Jeremy B.]

I would go with the Mini 160 on that size tank. Having said that, I still think the EuroReef CS6-2 is one of the best skimmers you will come across in that size range, and for that the size of system that you have. I really don't think you're going to see any performance difference even if you went up to the Mini 180. I would put the 6-2 up against any skimmer you coulkd pick out for that size system and it will perform just as good as any of them, if not better.

 

[RobertK]

Thanks for the advice, but I'm sorry to hear it. I have spent the last two years doing everything I can think of to fight this algae problem (and no, I don't want to get into all of that here) and springing for a new skimmer was the last thing I could think of. If that doesn't work I need a whole new system.

 

[Jeremy B.]

I would say just go straight to the Mini 180 then and leave no doubt, rather than the Mini 160 that I previously recommended. The 180 will not be so oversized that it will not skim well on that size system.

 

[RobertK]

The 180 will not be so oversized that it will not skim well on that size system.

Thank you. This is really what I wanted to know. If nothing else it should be quieter than the Sedra pump on the ER. Plus, if I do wind up with a new system it will no doubt be larger and I could still use the 180.

One last question before I order:
How much added clearance above the stated height of the skimmer is needed for removal of the collection cup? The inside height of my stand is 25.5".

Thanks again,
RK

 

[mojo~]

about 1/4 inch the cup comes right off the top. One of the best designs in my opinion. I think the 180 will be a little big. IMO but for a little more money you do get a lot more skimmer.

 

[RobertK]

...for a little more money you do get a lot more skimmer.

Well, I tend to think this way too. If I am going to spend over $900 for a skimmer I'd rather spend another $150 to get a much better one, unless there is a compelling reason not to, and not look back. As long as it is not so oversized that it won't skim properly I don't mind spending the extra money for the 180. I have room for either one.

 

[birdman1979]

Have you tried vodka dosing to get rid of your HA? I have the BK 180 on my 75 gallon tank. It works well but I think you could save some money and get better results if you tried vodka dosing.

 

[RobertK]

Well, its not hair algae but a stubborn turf algae on the rocks, plus recurrent bouts of cyano. I have not tried vodka because my nitrates and phosphates have almost always measured zero.