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The Tale Of A Choice Between Two Skimmers

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by Tony L., Nov 9, 2010.

  1. Tony L.

    272
    Cedar Rapids
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    So I definitely have an undersized skimmer and am looking to upgrade. Here's the decision to be made - I currently run a sumpless 55gal with an HOB skimmer. In the relatively near future I'll be switching to a 55gal with sump and Calfo 'coast to coast' overflow. Do I make do with my current skimmer and buy an in-sump model for my future setup or do I get a better HOB skimmer for my current/future setup.

    Now the obvious answer for me is to say in-sump for a multitude of reasons. But there are a couple key benefits (at least in my eyes) of going with an HOB skimmer. The most obvious is I can use the upgraded skimmer on my current system and start keeping a cleaner reef environment for my pricey acros.

    The second benefit I see to an HOB is the possibility of running it out of the overflow on my future setup. Calfo talked about feeding your skimmer with the dirtiest tank water you can to get the best efficiency. The water will be it's dirtiest in the overflow and given the design of a 'coast to coast' overflow box it would be easy to install one on the back of the tank inside the box. Im not sure if this would work in reality so any feedback on the idea would be appreciated - in theory it sounds good to me though.

    Or am I going to be happier down the road with an in-sump skimmer?
     
  2. vikubz Well-Known ReefKeeper

    734
    Cedar Falls
    Ratings:
    +8 / 0 / -0
    More volume is always good, and you get built-in surface skimming with the overflow. You will then have the dirtiest water in the first section of the sump, which is where you want the skimmer. I say definitely go in-sump.
     
  3. papioreef

    papioreef Inactive User

    27
    Ratings:
    +0 / 0 / -0
    I would agree that an in-sump skimmer would be best. For the most part in-sump skimmers are way better then HOB skimmers. Usually an in-sump skimmer has a bigger reaction chamber giving the bubbles more contact time with the water. Also if you design your sump with a skimmer section that has a constant water level you will save yourself a lot of headaches. A constantly changing water level makes it very difficult to tune a skimmer in.
     
  4. Foo

    Foo Well-Known ReefKeeper

    524
    Ratings:
    +4 / 0 / -0
    Sump
     
  5. IowaDiver Well-Known ReefKeeper

    536
    West Des Moines
    Ratings:
    +6 / 0 / -0
    I also agree with an in-sump skimmer. That way, when your skimmer overflows, it goes back into the sump instead of on the floor. Also, like they said, put a baffle in your tank at the height that you want the water to be at. I had to redo my sump with a baffle because the fluctuating level interefered with my skimmer production.
     

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