Want to pick your brains...

[xian]

Hmmm... wonder how many people hitting this post in a search are looking for information on Platygyra...

Anyway

For my future reef, which will be a 125 I'm going to need a skimmer. I've investigated MRC but I could use some other ideas. I'm looking for a good machine but if it doesn't have to cost $500 with the pump that would be nice too. I'm figuring this system will have about 200gals of water.

The other item is overflows. This is purely an esthetic issue but...I can get a new 125 with corner-overflows or megaflows for the same price. I was leaning toward corner overflows because of the dead space created by the megaflows but this tank will be viewable from the side which means that iff you look in the side you'll be looking into the guts of the overflow. Thoughts?

 

[upstatedave]

I have the mega flow...bad idea...there is a lot of wasted space with it...and a huge dead area...with the corner overflows at least you could paint the area that would show...so it would just be black there..and still have the viewing area beside it...there are always the Aqua-C skimmers...I have 2 and they both work well....just my .02

 

[TA]

Hate the Megaflow.

 

[Lakeside518]

I was looking at a 150 gal W/ megaflows. Seemed like to much wasted space. I prefer the corner overflows. Bought Fishtanker's "Brian Gast" 125 RR all-glass tank with Corner overflows. Not yet setup. Sits in my basement for now. Kind of on the back burner for a few i guess.

I will end up painting the back and block out the internal view of the overflows with black paint.

Skimmer wise!.. I would go with the ASM G4 or G4x for the price. Depending on stocking maybe okay with the G3

Thats my .02

 

[michaelg]

Looking into the overflows is pretty neat. Mine is covered with feather dusters and sponges. Also a truckload of mysid shrimp in there. I would not recommend painting it- you will want to be able to look in there to make sure it is flowing OK- at least it gives me a piece of mind. Whatever type of durso standpipe goes in, it should be screened in some way- else anything from fish to snails will go for a ride (and in the case of a snail- can lead to a nice flood). I broke out a bunch of the dividers of the screen to make the holes bigger so it doesn't clog up as often and need cleaning.

For a skimmer- what about one of the cheap versions of a euro-reef skimmer (made with extruded acrylic instead of cast). It is the ES series. All other details are identical and know lots of people who love these skimmers- and opted from them in lieu of a beckett due to pump requirements.

 

[reefD]

i agree with mike on the painting thing. i said no when reading the post. you need to see how well the flow is working. a slight rise can be a warning for a blockage.

 

[reefD]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7203611#post7203611 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by reefD
i agree with mike on the painting thing. i said to myself "not a good idea" when reading the post. you need to see how well the flow is working. a slight rise can be a warning for a blockage.

 

[Lakeside518]

Even with an open top tank? Would it still be important then? If so then I won't paint the side, and will just do the back.

 

[xian]

Thanks for all the imput

Ok with that said megaflow is out again.

As for the skimmers I always have a tendency to "push the limit" so I'm going to try to overcompensate from the start so I won't try to "get away with a g3" however the G3 is rated for over 250 gallons. Thoughts?

Any good places to buy these at a good price?

Also The corallife superskimmer is a euroreef knockoff would the big one be big enough?

 

[reefD]

i think itrs a good practice to overcompensate when you get a skimmer. in anycase never had or saw a G3 in action so i can compare it. i believe there is a bigger coralife skimmer above mine which is the 125 model. if the larger model is anywhere as effective as the 125 you'll be happy with it. still would like to see the comparasion between the two. just to see which is better. by the way i have the 125 on my 55gallon tank. with sump and all its about75 gallons

 

[TA]

Thoughts?

I don't think skimmer ratings are acurate.
Bigger is better.

Not very helpful, I know

 

[xian]

Thats what I thought but there are big jumps in price from g3 to g4 to g4x. I don't want to under skim the tank and I probably should overcompensate, but I don't want to overspend either.

I would probably lean toward the g4 but thats still around $400 with shipping.

 

[Lakeside518]

I have a G3 with gate valve mod for a 30 gal sump. My plans were to use it on my 125 gal. Its rated for 180 gals on www.ASMskimmer.com

I also just ordered a CSS 125 for my 75 gal setup or may use it for a QT tank. CSS does make a 220 model.http://www.petsolutions.com/Coralife+Needle+Wheel+Skimmer-I-96333000-I-C-43-C-.aspx

For the price it doesn't seem like you can go wrong with ASM's!.. Unfortuneately I haven't tried it out yet. Really looking forward to it. Will have to wait I can't get a 30 gal sump under my 75 gal stand and its planned for the 125 gal tank anyhooo. It sits around collecting dust. I should box it back up

Not much help i know. Sorry