3 Skimmer Q: Where 2 buy, plumb output, buy 2 much?

[2ndTimeCharm]

Hello

I am planning a new 75 gallon mixed reef. I have some questions about skimmers.


1) Does anyone know where in NJ, CT, NYC I can buy and or see needlewheel skimmers in person? Hopefully in operation? None of the LFS in my area carry anything other than AquaC remora and other lower end skimmers. I would like to see operating needlewheels such as Octopus Xtreme, ATI Bubblemaster, maybe Warner, Vertex, etc. Based on my experience with lighting, this may not be possible?

2) Many of the needlewheel skimmers have what seems to me to be suboptimal placement of inlet vs. outlet. For example, the ATI BM outlet is literally inches from the venturi pump, meaning a large percentage of the water in the skimmer being re-skimmed.

I plan to run my skimmer in a separate compartment at a higher level than my sump, to maintain a constant water level for ease/consistent operation. On models like the ATI and ASM and Octopus, would it be possible to plumb the skimmer output, underwater, through the wall of the skimmer compartment to a lower "main" sump? Has anyone heard of this or done this and can you show pictures?

3) How often do people actually buy too much skimmer, find out they have too little bioload to skim, and have to downgrade? If I go with something rated for 150 or 200 gallons, could this happen to me?

Thanks in advance,

 

[2ndTimeCharm]

Tough crowd I guess?

Anyone want to take a stab? Anyone?

 

[albano]

Tough crowd I guess?
Anyone...Anyone?

tap-tap-tap IS THIS THING ON?:tongue1: I will try to help (a little)...#1 no idea of LFS w/certain skimmers...#2 I believe that plumbing the output to another chamber of the sump, WITH a changing water level, defeats the purpose on putting skimmer in separate chamber (except for not RE-skimming the output), different water levels will put more/less back pressure on skimmer. #3 I don't see a problem in buying 'your next skimmer' now, meaning, you'll probably upgrade, in the future, so a skimmer for 150g +/- won't be a bad thing!, but no use getting a 750g skimmer (unless thats your plan)

 

[2ndTimeCharm]

A brave soul answered! Thanks!

w/r/t #2 - so if I plumb out to a chamber below, with a guaranteed drop in height and zero backpressure, I should be good to go?

I do vaguely remember reading somewhere that some skimmer
manufacturers believe in re-skimming and design their skimmers as such, I guess like a recirc?

 

[albano]

w/r/t #2 - so if I plumb out to a chamber below, with a guaranteed drop in height and zero backpressure, I should be good to go?...
manufacturers believe in re-skimming

well, you need some back pressure, that is the reason for a ball/gate valve...so you can 'dial' in the right pressure....re-skimming is not bad, especially if there is anything to skim out, but not absolutely necessary. A recirculating skimmer, recirculates the water within the skimmer, to allow longer contact time. I use an Octopus dual recir. skimmer on my 450g system...see tank thread 'dream come true setup'