Skimmer Question

[texhorns98]

Is the skimmer rating more a factor of bio load than tank size?

 

[falos]

Yep always try to go bigger if you won't more fish in your tank

 

[texhorns98]

What if I had a 400 gallon tank with one fish?

 

[jef4y]

Everything here is opinion and common-sense according to Jeffery, so it could be WAY off.

That said, I believe it's a bit of both.

A skimmer rated at 75 gallons on a 400 gallon tank is not going to get enough water through it for it to make a decent dent even if there was a TINY bioload. Basically the bioload would need to build up dramatically in order to get some of it pulled off in the underpowered skimmer.

Likewise, a skimmer rated ridiculously high in comparison to the bioload will not function properly. You will have a terrible time getting it to skim right without a decent bioload.

I have experienced the second scenario. A 100 gallon rated skimmer with a pump upgrade, on a 60 gallon tank that was very lightly stocked. I couldn't get it to skim for crap until I doubled my bioload and then it worked right.

Overall, it is my opinion and experience that a skimmer needs to be sized for both water volume and bioload with bioload being a bit more important than water volume.

 

[texhorns98]

Thanks for the input. The reason I'm asking is because I run an Octopus 160 Extreme on my current tank. I'm going up to 180 and it's rated for 160. I don't plan on keeping a heavy bioload, so I'm hoping I don't need a new sump and skimmer.

 

[silver surfer]

I would go much larger. Skimmers also help with ORP levels.

 

[texhorns98]

Silver Surfer;777545 wrote: I would go much larger. Skimmers also help with ORP levels.

I was afraid you would say that! At least it's something I can wait on a little.

 

[falos]

Silver Surfer;777545 wrote: I would go much larger. Skimmers also help with ORP levels.

Gess I should of put that down also
My skimmer is rated 3x system volume ph swings are few and far between even at night
Part of the reason for the large skimmer is I'm trying to git away from using carbon in my tank may sound weerd but wen I quit using carbon the BGA went away and has stayed away for 6weeks (no chem treatments were used)


You don't have to run a skimmer lots don't you just have to be carefull with feeding and rember not to forgot your wc

 

[ralph atl]

in the meantime, I would just run Rox carbon in a reactor and change it out every two weeks or so. It pulls out organics more effectively than a skimmer anyway....

 

[silver surfer]

I stopped running carbon and gfo months ago. I use a BA skimmer and a bio pellet reactor. I have 30ish number of fish in a 120 reef. 0 NA and all corals doing well.

 

[silver surfer]

In fact, I am all my snails are dying due to lack of food.