Which overflow skimmer should I buy?

[Hal1]

I'm going to be running a 150XH FOWLR, and probably converting to a reef in a year or so. I'm planning on using a Iwaki 70RLT and 2 sea swirls for circulation through a sump. I figure I'll need about 1500gph out of my overflow skimmer.

I've heard good things about Lifereef and Amiracles. Which do you prefer?

(And doesn't the sponge prefilter on the Lifereef cause nitrate problems? I haven't seen a pic of an Amiracle, so I don't know if it has a sponge on it too.)

 

[Jay1]

I use a Lifereef and I think it is excellent. I have never lost a siphon with it and it is built very well and is neatly assembled. I have done several simulations of pump failures and the siphon always restarts. I don't know about the other you mentioned. I bought a lifereef system and have never regreted it. It may be a little pricey, but you get what you pay for. And what you get is excellent equipment. As far as the sponge, just about all the overflows I have seen have the sponges and in a 150 gal tank, I wouldn't think that small little sponge would be enough to cause a nitrate trap.

Jay


Jay

 

[SeaMac]

I used an Amiracle hang-on overflow for about two years without any problems...I think it could only really handle about 500-600 gph though, but maybe they make larger ones. FYI, if you go with an Amiracle I would suggest using the modified Durso standpipe in the external overflow box in place of the sponge. Here's the link:
http://www.rl180reef.com

Hope that helps...

Chris

 

[lionfish1]

seamac nice site.