Skimmer Suggestions.

[Dale D]

I need your suggestions on what skimmer (size,make, model etc) you would choice to put on a 500 gallon reef sysytem.

The system will be moslty LPS and Soft corals. The fish load will be light to moderate for the size of the tank.

About the only restriction is that it can not be over 3.5'- 4' tall, so, it will probabily have to be a downdraft.

Are any of the Bullet skimmers rated for that size tank?

The biggest systems I have exprience with are about 175-200 gallons. So, I need your input on bigger equipment.

TIA

[Troy F]

Hi Dale. With the right pump the Bullet 3 might handle that size of tank. I'm running it with a Mak4 right now and am researching a bigger pump. I'm thinking that the Mak4 probably puts somewhere's around 1000gph, although I don't know how much head pressure the beckett creates.

Marc's custom made skimmer may be worth a look, it really has some oomph, specially with that big assed pump he has driving it.

What's the budget like for the skimmer?

[Dale D]

Originally Posted by Troy F

What's the budget like for the skimmer?

Hi Troy

Price wise just about anything goes.

[Troy F]

Just about anything goes is a really good thing . What about having a custom beckett built (maybe two injectors) with a couple of huge pumps. Jerel just told me he's running a Iwaki 100RT on his Bullet 3 so they can handle ~2000gph.

[Doug]

Dale, either the 36in. beckett I had from Jayson or the 32in. MR3 from Myreef would handle it.

Both are similar to the Bullet 3 and as Troy says, just need a larger pump. Like Troy, I also drove it with a Mak4, but had to close the valve a fair bit to get the level higher. With something like an Iwaki 70, you would be able to run the level below the first flange and drive foam all the way up.

Also you could use a similar size beckett, but have two injectors. Andy, a friend in Ontario has one like that and uses a pair of Mag 24 pumps to drive it.

Orrrrrrrrrrrr, for the bucks, perhaps a 12in. by 36in. Euroreef with a pair of Sedra 5000 pumps.

If it were mine, I would run:
-a 36inch single beckett powered by an Iwaki 70
or
- a 36inch duel injector beckett, powered by a pair of Mak 4 pumps.

Made by Jayson, {Saltwater Connection}, or Andy, {Myreef Creations}, or of course our very own Titus, {Canreef}.

[Doug]

Aww, Troy we posted that at the same time.

[Dale D]

Thanks guys.

Any websites where I can see pictures and get info on any of these skimmers?

[Troy F]

Doug, great minds think alike! Dale, Andy's not too hard to find. Look for him on one of the bigger boards. He goes by the handle myreef and does have a website I think. Jayson is at SWC and well Titus is here of course . I wouldn't rule out what Doug said about those Euroreef Skimmers since budget isn't a problem.

[MitchM]

I can recommend an Aquamedic T5000. I've had mine running now for 4 years without a single problem. 48" tall, 8" chamber. The side pump is a recirculating pump with a needle wheel impeller.



Mitch

[Troy F]

Myreef

There's the link for myreef. I want one now .