Im setting up a 1000 gallon system and im looking for a protein skimmer. Or is it possible to run more than one skimmer?
You can run multiple skimmers but I think it would be more trouble and expensive than it’s worth. Look for a good cone skimmer rated for at least 50% more than your total watr volume. I’m not sure what brand / model that would be for a 1k gal system but I know I wouldn’t be able to afford it.
If you are mostly looking for advice I would post this in the general forum vs. the market place.(also note there are few people who frequent the boards who have experienced with these sized systems and even fewer who will have used equipment available.
Very possible to run more then one skimmer. Many people run two skimmers of two different types.
I use an Alpha 200 on one of my systems and a Alpha 250 on one of my clients and they are to date my favorite. You may want to look at the Alpha 300 or consider a Bubble King.
Before looking at a skimmer you should also take a look at your bio load. Will this system have 500gallons of water in sumps and a 500 gallon display? Two 250gallon displays? 4 120gallon fishless frag tanks? Do you plan to run a low nutrient approach or more classical set up? Or are you going to have a large 800gallon fish only system with dirty messy animals? The answer to these questions will greatly influence what skimmer would be best for your system.
Many people would agree with Craig on over-sizing skimmers, but many others who have experience with cone skimmers would saying going to large would decrease your efficiency. With a very large neck on the skimmer and a very small bio-load you may not skim out what you would want to be skimming out. I’m not necessarily disagree, but stating there are multiple schools of thought on this.
Whoo Hooo!! another big tank build!! WOW!! Please, please keep us posted with the build.
As for the skimmer. There’s no one way of doing it. If you can find a big one to run it, then more power to you. Most likely it will have to be custom made. And of course you can run several small one if you have room in the sump. IMO, if I were to go that big, then I would be able to get it a big one to run it. Good luck on the build!!
Definitely need more details on your setup. What size display, what your keeping, budget, etc to properly suggest a skimmer. There is definitely too much of a skimmer, I’ve been there before, too much skimmer and not enough bioload to properly run it, eve though you may have the water volume. I agree with John.
Thanks for all the imput. Im very new to this site and computers in general. Im not new to the hobby but ive always done it in an old school way. The tank is a 750 with a starphire front pain that drains into about a 250 gallon acryilc tank underneath (that was used for raising baby bangai cardinals) than it drains into the sump. It currently has bio-balls in it. The people dont use skimmers they use carbon. It comes with a 400 watt mh and 2 250 mh. I currently have a 125 reeef with all softies and am looking to get into sps. Hope that helps!
Oh, and after buying it my budget is slim to none!!1 BoNg
If you are looking into SPS trash the bio-balls or donate them to a local fish store if they’ll take them.
If your budget will be slim will you be able to afford the electric bill with this tank? The metal halides, a good return pump, and heaters alone will run up your bill a decent amount. How about 10-20% weekly water changes? If you would like to go with SPS you should NOT cheap out with your synthetic salt brand.
If you want to go through with it start frequenting the local boards(look in PA, NJ, and MD as well) in addition to craig’s list and ebay for a used skimmer appropriate for as large of a tank as you can find. If the budget is tight you likely won’t be packing the tank full of fish soon so you won’t need a massive skimmer just yet.
A note on used skimmers and skimmers in general. If the manufacture claims the skimmer is big enough to skim a tank the size of an Olympic pool that doesn’t necessarily mean it is large enough for even a 20 gallon tank. They are often over confident in their products(and trying to sell to as large of an audience as possible) A skimmer with great reviews written 6-7 years ago may get horrible reviews from the same people today.(technology and expectations change fast) Old discontinued models may show on some websites poorly maintained with high sticker prices still but that doesn’t mean that product is worth that much or even half that amount used.
If you find what looks like a deal make a post and find out if that product is worth the amount. Don’t need to include a link to the product if your scared someone here will grab it out from under you.(though I don’t believe anyone is in the market for a very large skimmer at this point anyways)
Good luck.
I found a skimmer that looks like a top fathom but its clear and has no name. Its about 10 inches diameter and 24" tall. And its real cheap so im thinking about getting that and running it with the one thats on my 125.
[quote=“Saltyballs, post:10, topic:4957”]
And its real cheap …[/quote]
be careful what you wish for - sometimes our subconscious already gives us the answer.
A good protein skimmer is worth its weight in gold… I’ve had some real finicky, worthless, energy sucking high maintenance crap before… If you need to do what you gotta do, thats fine, and it may work out perfect. If it were me though, i’d pick out my “perfect” skimmer now, and leave room in the build for it down the road. It could be the heart of your system, like the others said, depending upon the setup (substrate style, bio load, stocking plan etc…)
can’t wait to see the build though… you’ll have to figure out how to post pics up for us
:BEER
I figured out the pics!!! YahoO Heres a link to my 125 Im getting ready to tear apart and upgrade.
http://www.facebook.com/lethalfishtank
Im gonna buy the cheap protien skimmer for now. I can always upgrade. I hjave a cheap skimmer on my tank now and its worked awesome. I can always upgrade.
[quote=“Saltyballs, post:13, topic:4957”]
I figured out the pics!!! YahoO Heres a link to my 125 Im getting ready to tear apart and upgrade.
http://www.facebook.com/lethalfishtank[/quote]
Thats a nice looking tank! that toadstool is freakin huge!
Thanks! He touches both sides of my 125 now!! Hes my favorite!
Nice set up on that 125!
Thanks!
Wow! really nice looking tank. From the pics it seems that it has been running for some time, very well established. What are the dimensions on the 750gal? Going to a larger tank is always an exciting trip. Since your 125 is a soft coral tank, keep in mind that softies can handle the changes in water params better than SPS. With that being said, the larger tank will require more attention as far as keeping the water params at good levels because you are going to be changing to SPS corals.
We will all enjoy seeing how the build progresses, so please post as many pics as you can. And remember the one ingredient you will always need …patience. Good luck with the new tank! PoM
Thanks! This tank was a consolidation from 2 tanks id had for a while! The 750 is 120x42x32 that drains into an acrylic 240 than to a sump. Its gonna be so awesome! My pains are gonna be moving stuff. My 125 is where i wanna put the 750 so its gonna be a process!