What skimmer for a BIG tank?

dt90gt

Member
OK, so I just picked up a 360 gallon tank (8'x2.5'x2.5') as a HUGE upgrade to my 90gal. I have the tank, 100 gallon sump, 2 return pumps and 2 closed loop pumps. I need to get a large skimmer for the sump, and I have never had a tank think big, so what kind of options are there out there, where can I purchase?
 
1. What is your budget?

2. Any size requirements?

3. Will noise be an issue?

4. Are electrical costs a factor?
 
H&S 300- 2x1260 would probably do a good job for your tank. Its rated for around 700 gallons, but with the sump and everything it should work very well.
 
IMO the bubble master looks like a great skimmer but, the water chopping system looks a little junky...I much perfer a deltec, asm, euro-reef, or bubble king style bubble chopping impeller.
 
my options for a moderate/heavily stocked 600 gallon fowlr were

bk 400 external
deltec ap1003
h&s 3 x 1260
euroreef rc1000
spazz custom recirculating dart needlewheel

going with spazz 55" tall, 18" diameter, 150 scfh of air almost as much as the biggest bk at 1/4 the price and under 200 watts to run
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8341957#post8341957 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by PatrickJ
IMO the bubble master looks like a great skimmer but, the water chopping system looks a little junky...I much perfer a deltec, asm, euro-reef, or bubble king style bubble chopping impeller.

Looks mean nothing, 90 SCFH @ 60 watts
Obey your thurst
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8340927#post8340927 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hop
1. What is your budget?

2. Any size requirements?

3. Will noise be an issue?

4. Are electrical costs a factor?
bump

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8342011#post8342011 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by clekchau
my options for a moderate/heavily stocked 600 gallon fowlr were

going with 55" tall, 18" diameter, 150 scfh of air almost as much as the biggest bk at 1/4 the price and under 200 watts to run
$1800??? yaeh Thats a winner!!!!
 
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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8342310#post8342310 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Hammercoral
How bout a big beckett, downdraft, or venturi. ETSS or RK2 style?

yeahman. That's what I'd do.

I have big success with my ETSS skimmer.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8342533#post8342533 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Roland Jacques

HAHA I love this site, sorry, went to dinner after posting, and a billion answers, and of course most of them related to tanks WAY bigger than 360!

OK budget, cheapest possible for something which can handle a moderately stocked 360. The tank will be built slowly, so no need for massive skimming to start. I actually got a really good deal on an ASM G5 for $320 which is what I am considering at the moment.


Noise is not an issue, and obviously electrical costs should be a at minimum. I am a minimalist. I DO NOT want the top of the line newest bestest skimmer which is 5x the cost of everything else to skim 5% more effectively than everything else.

Bear in mind, the total cost for the tank, 2 closed loop pumps, 2 sumps, and 2 return pumps is 1K. So spending 2k on a skimmer would be ridiculous. I want realistic options in the <1k range.

i.e. is there a skimmer out there for around $500 which will outperform an ASM G5 on this size tank?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8343036#post8343036 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Craig Lambert
On a 360G tank? You're kidding right?.........

Why?
Too big, too small?
They are great skimmers, that aren't exorbitant.

Aquamedic Site Info
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8342533#post8342533 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Roland Jacques
bump

$1800??? yaeh Thats a winner!!!!

i assume by that comment you are inferring that it is too expensive ? :confused: i guess i could have rephrased it to "it is cheaper than h&s, deltec, bk and even euroreef and outperforms them all". is that more to your liking? :rolleye1:

could you build something that performs better on less watts for cheaper?
 
$1800 is a great price for the sheer skimming power you're getting out of that beast. The ASM G5 is an OK skimmer but not even close in terms of skimming potential when compared with the other skimmers mentioned. I know cost is always a factor with these kinds of things but good skimming is something a lot of people seem to forget about when upgrading to really large tanks. A big system requires a big, effective skimmer and they aren't cheap!
 
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