500 Gallon Tank Skimmer Questions

Cyberdude47 · 08-01-2006, 11:02 PM

I'm setting up a 500 gallon tank with a 180 gallon sump (half of which will be fuge) and I'm undecisive for a skimmer I have very few options available to me such as a PM bullet 3 with an extended reaction chamber, ETSS, AquaC, Aquamedic, Euro reef and Tunze
The rest of the system will be 4 x 400watt + 4 110watt VHO on a blueline solar 1000/Icecap 660 and blueline ballasts for the halides, Sequence hammerhead for the return plus two sequence dart Closed loops on a wavemaker, DIY Ca reator, Aqualogic chiller, Ect. to give you an idea

My problem is a lot of thought and planning went into this but I cannot seem to decide on a skimmer Price is important as my wife is REALLY starting to put her foot down. I am leaning towards the AquaC EV1000 with a Iwaki 70RLT pump right now but any opinions will be REALLY appreciated at this point.

fchidsey · 08-01-2006, 11:38 PM

Welcome to TRT. Have you looked at MRC (my reef creations) http://www.myreefcreations.com/pspackage.htm yet? They are a sponser here. I just ordered a MR2 but check them you might find there prices a little better.

Lets see some build pics of the tank.

Fred

Cyberdude47 · 08-01-2006, 11:42 PM

Thanks for the input,
Only pics I have right now are of my equiptment in storage because we are in the process of building our dream home and we are building our house around the tank, this is something that we wanted to do for a long time but for anyone interested i can post pics of the build

jenajet · 08-02-2006, 02:23 AM

We love pics. It's fun to watch a build go from nothing to full on reef or fowler whatever the case may be. Welcome as well.

the_colonel · 08-02-2006, 03:01 AM

You should also check out Reef Mania ( http://www.reefmania.net/ ) They are also sponsers here, and build great skimmers for tanks that size.

whatevva · 08-02-2006, 05:42 AM

Welcome to TRT! Can't WAIT to see this one!!

Casey · 08-02-2006, 06:04 AM

Yea post pics for sure as you go we love them.

skeety · 08-02-2006, 07:39 AM

2nd the vote for My Reef Creations. Andy over there makes some REALLY great stuff! And most of it is upgradable, so if you find down the road you need more power, you can ADD to it, instead of tossing it to get a new one.

Great customer service too.

now, enough about that...500 gal? MAN...you NEED to post those pics!! even if it's covered in cobwebs...it'll still be a thing of beauty!!! (at least to us, it will! hahaha)

Fly Guy · 08-02-2006, 08:06 AM

I have a MRC running on a smaller tank but i went with a ASM for the larger tank (225w 100 sump) i just built. I went with the ASM G4+ not becasue of price but becasue it panned out to be the most "set it and forget it" skimmer, based on experiences that i gathered. I just started it up last night so we will see........Rock was cooked and there are no critters yet so theres not a whole lot to skim as of yet.........The price however was a little bit of a bonus as well.
I have found the MR-2's (at least IME) to require some fiddling on a regular basis, and part of my latest build had the goal of touching the tank LESS in mind...........................

fchidsey · 08-02-2006, 12:34 PM

Let's see some pics of the house. I want to see what you have going on and how things have been designed. sounds like a really cool build out.

Fred

three90s&125sump · 08-02-2006, 01:01 PM

I would do dual ASM G-6's that would run you about $1400

A single 4 foot MRC dual becket might cost you $1000 with pumps.

Confused Korean · 08-02-2006, 01:37 PM

wow thats a big tank.

tashier · 08-02-2006, 04:24 PM

Although I have a much smaller ASM skimmer, I can vouch for them. They are a great skimmer.

Cyberdude47 · 08-03-2006, 10:25 AM

Thanks for the input I am quite interested in the MRC MR-6
does anybody have any experience with this skimmer?
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and I'll keep you guys posted on the build I will be needing all the advice I can get.
Thanks

fchidsey · 08-03-2006, 11:09 AM

That is a Huge Skimmer. Way over my head. I would still like to see some pics of the house.