DerrickH Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 I'm looking for recommendations on a skimmer. Since this will be the first one Ive bought, I know next to nothing about them other than their purpose. With all the different brands and models out there its a bit confusing to what I need. I'm not sure that I want an in sump one and a hang on will not work at all. I basically want an external skimmer but would entertain the thought of an in sump. My sump is http://www.aqueonproducts.com/assets/010/13504_400wh.jpg so I don't have a lot of room. Was thinking about these 2: insump http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/octopus-extreme-160-protein-skimmer.html external http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/reef-octopus-6-recirculating-skimmer.html Opinions welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derry Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 The trick to keeping a skimmer in the sump is maintaining a consistent water level for the skimmer to run in. If you can manage the water level in the skimmer chamber, I'd lean toward an in-sump model for the simple reason of flood control. If your internal skimmer overflows in the sump, big deal. If your external skimmer overflows on your living room floor,... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mcallahan Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 I'm all about in sump skimmers whenever you can do it. Like Derry said, if it overflows (which happens) then it overflows into your sump = no big deal. +1 for what Derry said as well about a constant water level. Having an AutoTop Off will help your skimmer perform at its best. I'm a big SWC fan. Reef Octo's are nice, but I don't see what makes them better to warrant a higher price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerrickH Posted January 31, 2011 Author Share Posted January 31, 2011 Well luck has it that my setup is right next to a water supply that Im going to port my RO/DI unit into so auto-top off will be very easy to incorporate. Drawback is if I put the skimmer in the sump there might not be much room for the float/valve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mcallahan Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Well luck has it that my setup is right next to a water supply that Im going to port my RO/DI unit into so auto-top off will be very easy to incorporate. Drawback is if I put the skimmer in the sump there might not be much room for the float/valve. I wouldn't plumb your RODI straight into your sump. If that float valve fails, it will pump fresh water into your saltwater tank and flood everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerrickH Posted January 31, 2011 Author Share Posted January 31, 2011 Ok I completely botched what I was trying to say. Im going to have an ATO tank seperate from my sump...RO/DI plumbed into the ATO that will be operated manually. Just dont think there will be enough room in the sump for the skimmer and the valve/float. I have vertical room in my stand for an ATO, just not enough room in the sump I dont think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mcallahan Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Ok I completely botched what I was trying to say. Im going to have an ATO tank seperate from my sump...RO/DI plumbed into the ATO that will be operated manually. Just dont think there will be enough room in the sump for the skimmer and the valve/float. I have vertical room in my stand for an ATO, just not enough room in the sump I dont think. how big of a float are you going to use? Most ATO float switches are about 2"x2" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joseph9123 Posted January 31, 2011 Share Posted January 31, 2011 Which SWC skimmer your recommend? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DerrickH Posted January 31, 2011 Author Share Posted January 31, 2011 Which SWC skimmer your recommend? Yeah same question he has. My tank is 40g and my sump is another 20g I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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