Need help choosing a Skimmer

[jrossjr79]

Ok, before I add anything else to my tank, hardware or livestock, I need to get me a protein skimmer. Tank is currently 55G Display, near future I will be adding a 30 - 40 gallon sump. However I want to choose a skimmer that I can use once I get my other tank up and running, 145 Gallon display with a 50 - 75 gallon sump tank. Only problem is I need it sooner than I will get my sump, so in the meantime I need it HOB, later be able to put it in a sump.

Needed:
250 Gallon rated skimmer
HOB that is also able to go in sump.
Less than $300

Thanks

[350gt]

Don't think there is such a skimmer...



i could be wrong though....

[FireWater]

I don't think that animal is around and readily available. What about choosing a model that can be ran externally?

[jrossjr79]

I don't think that animal is around and readily available. What about choosing a model that can be ran externally?

I am open to that option as well, was already thinking about making a upright side cabinet on side of tank for storage for different aquarium stuff, like salt, buckets, tests and maintenance, as well as a central place to put electrical cords and what not through. So to have an external model go there in the cabinet would work. Just need a bit of a guidance on the plumbing aspect of it all if I choose that route.

[FireWater]

Not a territory I'm familiar with. I've only had internal skimmers.
I'm sure it is simple enough to plumb a supply to the skimmer and then a return to the sump or tank.

[jrossjr79]

ok, so one question, to feed the skimmer, would I plumb it directly from the display tank, or would I feed it through from the sump? I imagine the water coming from the skimmer would go into the sump then through the refugium then plumbed back to the display. Am I correct in this assumption?

[ramsey]

Not a territory I'm familiar with. I've only had internal skimmers.
I'm sure it is simple enough to plumb a supply to the skimmer and then a return to the sump or tank.

I've never done this either, but you might have to start a siphon to get the pump working. If you shut it down, you might have to get a siphon going again. Just food for thought.

I almost bought an external skimmer. I was really eyeballing the My Reef Creation skimmers.

[adolph_09]

if you dont have a sump you can feed an external skimmer from the display with a pump and the return can also go straight back into the display although you most likely will have some micro bubbles. Also the external skimmer return has to be at least a couple inches above the waterline or else the skimmer will constantly over flow no matter how much you adjust it.

[jrossjr79]

ok, how is this skimmer, is it a good one?

Red Sea Berlin Ventury Protein Skimmer 250 Gallon

[reefreak]

Try looking at the sca 303 good skimmers and good priced only thing is that it's in sump.

[jrossjr79]

Currently in sump is out of the question. No sump and dont see room for one either in the current stand. Stand is way to low only 28" head room on the inside. Is there a way to plumb it up that will make it external?

[johnsutter71]

I have a reef octopus recirculating. Use to run it outside my tank but moved in inside after I upgraded to larger tank/sump.