Skimmer and chiller quality?

[Noober]

Ok I am very new into the hobby, and the last things equipment wise I need is a chiller, for when i install my MH bulb, its ready but I wont be able to deal with the new temps. A skimmer, and a refuge. Its going to be a gravity fuge, using a hang on back siphon overflow. I got the overflow for free and my glass is temperd so thats the route Im going to try. I think i'll install my chiller before or after my refuge. What size of refuge would i need? Anyway, Ive put some money into the tank so far and I'm looking at some cheaper, but hopefully quality components. On the skimmer the SeaClone Protein Skimmer for 100 gallon tanks looks good, Ive hurd of it having problems when adjusting it. Do any of you have any sure fire reccomendations on a fair priced quality skimmer for a fifty gallon tank? Then on the chiller the Prime Mini In-line Chillers 1/15 HP seems in the right price range for me. Please give me some good advise if you've seen people run these or if you've run them yourself. Thanks!

[DrMark]

Biggest sump/fuge you can fit is always the answer. Would imagine end up with about 20-30 gals. You would then have maybe 70-80 total vol. Too much for the 1/15hp chiller. If you like the prime mini-tower (I do) I would not go with less than the 1/10hp, not much more money. Skimmers, so many choices. Dont skimp here either, do get what you pay for, and is a very important component.
mark

[jrsatx20]

imo i would stand clear of the seaclone unless u want spend more money in the long run. say u spend 100$ for the seaclone then finding out it doesnt work then having to buy another one just a little more that will work great for 175$. that would have paid for the upgraded chiller.

[Kristy]

Skimmer is the most important piece of equipment on a reef, not the thing you want to skimp on. Go slower and save up for a decent one. You'll spend more upgrading later (and probably not much later!) if you buy a cheaper one now.

[ErikH]

WWW.EURO-REEF.COM (http://www.EURO-REEF.COM)

Love em!

[captexas]

Suprised no one as even bothered asking why you want to buy a chiller yet? What are your tank temps now? Until you actually have the halide light for awhile, you won't really know what your tank temp will be so why spend a bunch of money now? Don't go buy a chiller until you are sure you need one. Having metal halides doesn't necessarily mean you need one. Wait until you have the halide(s) running for awhile and then if the heat is an issue, try adding fans to the canopy and sump area first.

As others have stated, spend money on a good skimmer. While some experienced people can get away with using a smaller one or not even using one at all, a good skimmer can make all the difference in the world, especially for a newbie.

[Noober]

thanks a lot for the info, I put the 250 watt hailide on the tank the other day and my temps soard from 80/82 with flouros to 88 in about 30 mins or so. I had a fan pointing directly at the hood, I think I'm just going to try to install some fans into the hood. Once again thx for the good info, I'll probably just go with the good skimmer for now as soon as I save up the money.

[Noober]

:shades:K i took the glass off the top of the tank, and i think that helped alot with, i guess is what you would call it, greenhouse effect. Anyway I'm keeping the airconditioner below eighty in here, haha im cheap, and the fan is blowing now on the tank and hood. Temp yesterday stayed stable and only went from 78 with the fan previously on the tank all day to 82 after the MH got put back on. Well thank you all and I hope this dosnt hit a situation where it heats up too much. Have a good one.... :thumbs_up:

[captexas]

Wow, that was a huge temp increase, but having the glass top on the tank explains it. Definately keep that off. If you end up needing a top to keep fish that are jumpers in the tank, use egg crate. It allows for air to circulate and for gas exchange at the surface of the tank. Fans in the canopy will definately help and if you have a sump, put a fan on the sump as well. You will see more water evaporation, but it will help keep the temps from getting too high.

[Noober]

crapola, I got home from work today, made sure my gf left the ac on 70 just in case for the first day test and my temps went up to 86. my hammer coral is all retracted so I immediately took off the bulb and put the floros back on... hmm I shall install more fans in the hood i suppose. Once again, Thx bunches

[jrsatx20]

ive got a fan from target about a 10in 10$ and i wedged it in the back blowing on the surface. comes on with a timer when the halides come on. i have a 75gal with 20gal sump/refug. dual 175wt halides 96wt pc actinics before fan temp at 84 now with fan 80 in the day and 78-79 at night.