Skimmer options for the 135gal

[misu]

I'm looking at the Tunze 9016 skimmer as a possible future upgrade, any input on it?
It's basically the only one that will fit inside the first sump compartment where the return is, space there is 4.5".

Right now I have an aqua medic turboflotor multi hang-on but I'm worried the small cup will overflow.

Are there better options out there for a standalone skimmer that can be gravity fed from one of the returns maybe? There's plenty of space to the right of the sump for one.

 

[crewdawg1981]

I'm sure others will chime in, but I would say you should ask Mojo~ on RC as well. If you arent familiar, he has a massive thread where he's basically tested every skimmer known to man and can give good recs on what to buy. Shoot him a PM and tell him what you're looking for. It might take him a few hours to get back to you.

He helped me out yesterday.

 

[mockery]

I would look at the octopus recirc skimmers. They can run outside of the sump and have a small footprint. Ivegotcrabs has a brand new needle wheel 150 for a good price!

 

[misu]

Mockery;549641 wrote: I would look at the octopus recirc skimmers. They can run outside of the sump and have a small footprint. Ivegotcrabs has a brand new needle wheel 150 for a good price!

Frankly I'm a bit worried of the extra plumbing I have to do for this, also the Tunze is more power efficient.

 

[eandrews]

misu;549648 wrote: Frankly I'm a bit worried of the extra plumbing I have to do for this, also the Tunze is more power efficient.

Yea but its also 150.00 more... The reef octopus is great for the money, I'm looking at the in sump extreme 200

 

[gmpolan]

fyi, my out of water octo tends to leak...such a hassle

 

[acroholic]

Leaking is always a possibility. You just have to get over the fear of that, really. If you don't have any room in the sump, then external is your only way (outside of HOB).

If you go with a Ref Octopus type, then you should definitely get a waste collector. A waste collector will not prevent overflowing, unless you are using a Beckett style skimmer and the waste collector has one of those ping pong ball air cutoffs. A recirc skimmer will fillp the collector and keep on going, flooding your room.

Here is the solution:

http://www.reefspecialty.com/Protein-Skimmers-Accessories/c21_64/p378/NEW-Coral-Vue-Auto-Shut-off-Waste-Collector/product_info.html">http://www.reefspecialty.com/Protein-Skimmers-Accessories/c21_64/p378/NEW-Coral-Vue-Auto-Shut-off-Waste-Collector/product_info.html</a>

Plug the feed pump and the recirc pump into this, then if the skimmer overskimms and the waste receptacle fills all the way up the float switch cuts power to the skimmer. I had one with my Reeflo Orca 200 pro external, and it works great. I had two overskimming floods on my floor prior to buying it.

 

[merkywater]

mockery;549641 wrote: i would look at the octopus recirc skimmers. They can run outside of the sump and have a small footprint. Ivegotcrabs has a brand new needle wheel 150 for a good price!

+1

 

[misu]

so with the additional waste collector and plumbing why not just go for the Tunze and put it in the sump, it even has an option for a waste collector. Are they really not that good?

I like the recirc idea especially if I can feed it from the return and avoid another pump but from what I can see nobody can even get close to the 20W the Tunze is using.

I'd like to green with this tank eventually, I'm planning eco-vortechs, a Reeflo return pump, LED lightning and minimal extra equipment.

 

[acroholic]

I'm sure the Tunze would be fine. You were looking for other options. If you are trying to be green, then avoid Beckett skimmers. They rely on high flow, high draw pumps.

I have a Royal Exclusiv Alpha Vertex 250 Cone (in sump) and the RD pump in it only draws 35 watts nominal.

 

[mockery]

My Octopus pulls around 45 watts which is really nothing.

 

[misu]

anybody running one of those Tunzes? or even better has a used one they want to get rid of?

Edit: so as I'm typing the questions above I get an email from marine depot that they lowered the prices on Tunzes, that's a sign

 

[misu]

if I go the recirculating skimmer route is it ok to feed it from one of the overflows? this one calls for 400gph and I'm probably close to that any issues if I put a ball valve on one of the overflows?