Suggest skimmer for 100 Gallon tank

avalanche wolf · 10-21-2006, 10:04 PM

I currently have a canister filter with no PS attached to the tank. A few power heads and about 15lbs of live rock but plan on adding more LR soon.

From what I have been reading around here , ditching the filter and going with just PHs, LR and a PS is a better route to go.

What are the good and not so good brands of PS to go with ?

Should I go under the 100 gallon rating or way over ?

Any site sponsers that give forum discounts ?

Thanks for the responses in advance !

avalanche wolf · 10-22-2006, 02:43 AM

DIY guides look pretty cool , just dont know if i can handle another project. Still have the bathroom remodel wife planned without me !

Loverotties · 10-22-2006, 06:35 AM

Welcome to TRT!It depends if you think you will some day trade to a bigger tank.but if you stay that size,Coralife has a nice 125 gallon model.it can be made for hang on the back or sump.

avalanche wolf · 10-22-2006, 12:53 PM

Thanks for the welcome !

As far as getting larger tank I reallllly doubt it. This tank is huge ompared to anything we have ever owned and it just well , huge lol

I have been on another thread also where people are saying the canister filter is great for polishing but all that is really needed is a good PS and roughly 1lb LR per gallon. I do admit though I am a bit nearvous adding another 100 lbs to the wieght of the stand. Might figure a way to reenforce it a bit.

Going to order my Reefkeeper 2 soon unless I find a another product with the same features. Looks like a must have when dealing with all these lights and such.

Here are the 2 skimmers I found , from another thread bigger is better might spend the few bucks more for the larger one. What do you think ?

Coralife Super Skimmer Protein Skimmer with Pump For tanks up to 125 gallons 5" x 7.25" x 24.5" Photo	~~$167.50~~ $129.50	Coralife Super Skimmer for tanks up to 125 gallons" name=itemName>
Coralife Super Skimmer Protein Skimmer with Pump For tanks up to 220 gallons 6" x 8" x 25.5" Photo	~~$201.00~~ $148.50

motorslave · 10-22-2006, 01:05 PM

Hi and welcome! You are right on with your plans for filtration. LR and a quality skimmer. Do you have a sump? If so I would say look into MRC skimmers. The MR-1 would be great for you. Also look into ASM or Euroreef. As far as the ratings, go way over. Most makers over rate the units so the stronger the better. You cant have water that is too clean! Spend the money onb a quality unit and it will save you in the long run. It will save replacement costs, livestock costs and overall frustration. This is one thing where you really do get what you pay for and a skimmer is arguably the most important piece of equipment on the tank. I prefer MRC skimmers. I have an MR-2 for my 150gallon. They are upgradeable, wondeffully made and have the service of a great company behind them. They are a beckett skimmer so they take some tinkering to get dialed in but oh boy do they work great! I alsoi have a Euroreef and they are also well made. They do a great job but are a much simpler unit to operate. They are not easily upgraded, it would have to be a DIY project. The ASM skimmers are a clone of the Euroreefand are much cheaper due to the fact that they are made of extruded acrylic as opposed the cell cast like the Euro's. Extruded actually soaks up water over time and doesnt have the life of cast. Their are other brands but these seem to be the standards right now. And whith the size of your tank these are the best place to start IMO. Again, welcome to TRT!

Robert

avalanche wolf · 10-22-2006, 03:05 PM

Thanks for the welcome and the great information. No sump on the tank , like i said this tank was a major upgrade from the 29 gallon setup we had. Everything transfered over ( lights, heater and such ) I do have a HOB wetdry that has a PS on it but it never really worked and its prime was always running out and quiting so it got replaced with a canister that has worked great. Main thing right now though is getting more LR ( stuff is so expensive !!! ) and getting the PS , the rest will come with time i suppose.

On a tank this big should I be runnin a sump ? What are the benifits ? I dont think i will be doing a ton of coral or anything , not much luck in the past with them. Th only thing that i have ever really had good luck with are mushrooms.

Think for now I will plan on the For tanks up to 220 gallons but check into the other brands as well. Just need something somewhat stupid proof.

Right now I am have a hell of a time find replacement 16" Compct bulbs. The hood i have takes four and 3 are out right now with just a 50/50 atinic running now. Really dont want to by another hood as this one was like 500 bucks ( ouch ! ) I also have a standard light hood in there from my 55 gallon with an atinic running as well. But I need to look at getting more ventilation running in the hood. I plan on running a few exhast fans out the top to purge some of this hot air.

Geoff · 10-22-2006, 08:09 PM

you do not need to get LR. see if you can find base rock. this is just a dried out version of LR. it will quickly be colonized when introduced to the tank. this will also eliminate any cycling that may occur due to die off of any LR you may buy.

sumps are handy. they keep all of the uglies hidden. heaters, PS can all be hidden in the sump.

G~

avalanche wolf · 10-22-2006, 09:48 PM

I would think that the base rock is going to be a LOT cheaper also. Will start shopping around tonight online just to get an idea of the pricing.

Geoff :
Change you avatar !!! I am out of beer and i keep seeing yours !! lol j/k

Geoff · 10-23-2006, 10:32 AM

ya, gotta keep some in the fridge at all times.

i have Guiness on my every week buy list at the grocery store.

G~

110galreef · 10-24-2006, 04:41 PM

For HOB skimmer get the coralife 220 or the aqua c remora pro/ prefilter box.

The prefilter boxes are nice to skim surface but big and bulky!

avalanche wolf · 10-25-2006, 12:17 AM

I hooked up my TruVU wetdry/protein skimmer today for something tempory but for once the skimmer is really working well. The 220 is the one I am really looking at. I have a line on a used one through a contact. Anyone have the size of the 220 ?

Geoff · 10-25-2006, 09:33 AM

are you looking for the dimensions for the skimmer?

G~

avalanche wolf · 10-25-2006, 09:58 AM

yes on the coralife 220

Twitterbait · 10-25-2006, 12:34 PM

I am doing a 100 BB tank with monster flow so i plan on using an MR2 with a dual beckett injector... I want to skim the acrylic that is gonna peel off the sides from the flow.