Skimmer Questions

[RipSlider]

Hi,

I'm part way through building up my tank ( going through red-designs AFTER spending money is just NOT a good idea....) and now I need to think about skimming.


The tank will be FOWLR, maybe moving to reef at some point in the future. it will be 1,200 L

I have a couple of skimmer questions.

Firstly, with a tank this big, would it be better to get one really large skimmer or two medium sized ones?

Also, which are the best makes to look at for dealing with this size range? My main requirements are that they are a needle based impellor ( as I understand these are the best type ) and that they are relatively quiet. Cost in electricity is also an issue, but not as much as reliability.

Secondly, Fenner and WWM state that the best upgrade possible to a tank is to add ozone to the skimmer. However, I can't find any designs to actually get it into the skimmer, especially if it is an impellor model.

Would it be a case of DIY'ing a hole into the air intake area of the skimmer pump and having the ozone suck in?

Has anyone else used ozone> Is it as good as it's cracked up to be?

Many thanks

Steve

 

[G7EG]

Im pretty sure you don't need a skimmer if your going the FOWLR route.

However when you introduce coral etc thats a different story. Don't take my word on this but im sure thats right.

 

[SkiFletch]

yeah, its prolly a case of DIYing perhaps a T fitting into the setup before the water enters the main skimmer chamber. lots of people I know who run large tanks rave about ozone, so it must have some merit...

as for size or brand of skimmer I've got no experience with that size setup, but it might be worth sending a pm and asking navarre since he's used 200+ gal tanks before.

gl

 

[tragikmagik]

IMO which may not be the best but, I believe every marine tank should have a skimmer. I have had them on my 55 gal. and produced some good brown/black stinky stuff. I also have one on my 20 gal. which does not make as much waste but produces the same nasty foam with a FOWLR. I have found that a skimmer that is ajustable comes in very handy in regulating how much you actually skim. Again this is just my opinion, I have never delt with a tank of that size, I have herd the saying "the solution to pollution is dillution" I dont know if this would apply here but i dont see what a skimmer would hurt in a FOWLR, especially if your wanting to go reef later on. As for ozone i guess im still too new to know exactly what that is. so your on your own on that one. I use a Red Sea -Prism Deluxe but i here its not a good one, but i supose it better than nothing. Hope i could be of some help here

 

[steelhealr]

My thoughts and other comments re: the above:

1) I would think a larger powerful skimmer would be better than 2 mediums
2) I've heard that EuroReef gets good reviews but I'd research it first:
http/www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_protei...dra.asp?CartId=
3) EVERY tank does not need a skimmer, in particular various nano tanks. Water changes work well for them.
4) Skimming should be done more for FISH than for corals. Although the protein skimming removes DOC's and aid's coral survival, fish are real polluters along with the food they need. PS CAN help if there are 'turf wars' and may help removed unwanted components of chemical warfare.

JMO. SH