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#1
November 14th, 2008, 03:31 AM
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Can a skimmer be too big?
I recently acquired a protein skimmer meant for up to 125 gallons. I have 50 gallon with approx. 10 gallons in my sump. Is there any reason not to use a skimmer that is a little oversized?
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I have a better solution. You keep me on the payroll as an outside consultant and in exchange for my salary, my job will be never to tell people these things that I know. I don't even have to come into the office, I can do this job from home. Current Aquarium(s) Description: 55gallon Reef Experience in Saltwater & Reef Aquarium Hobby: 14 years fish only 3 years reef Other Intrests: scuba diving & traveling to exotic islands 
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#2
November 14th, 2008, 03:38 AM
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Re: Can a skimmer be too big?
there is no such thing as over skimming
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"If crime fighters fight crime and fire fighters fight fire, what do freedom fighters fight?"- George Carlin Current Aquarium(s) Description: 120 gallon with built in dual overflows Experience in Saltwater & Reef Aquarium Hobby: >1 year Other Intrests: football, paintball, workin out, saltwater fish
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#3
November 14th, 2008, 03:41 AM
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Re: Can a skimmer be too big?
MPO,Nope.Hook that puppy.
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Live life at full draw. Current Aquarium(s) Description: 125gal SPS tank in the works Experience in Saltwater & Reef Aquarium Hobby: 2+ Other Intrests: Hunting,camping,fishing
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#4
November 14th, 2008, 03:58 AM
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Re: Can a skimmer be too big?
In fact, most skimmers rated for a 125 are only good for about 50-75 gallons anyways
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“Me fail English? That's unpossible." Current Aquarium(s) Description: 180g reef with 60g sump/fuge Experience in Saltwater & Reef Aquarium Hobby: one year! Other Intrests: Snowmobiling, fishing and other outdoor activities
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#5
November 14th, 2008, 05:10 AM
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Re: Can a skimmer be too big?
Yep, most skimmers are rated at twice their actual capacity -- just a marketing thing.
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They see me moderatin', they hatin'. Sarah 
Current Aquarium(s) Description: 240-gallon reef with a 55-gallon sump and 35-gallon refugium Experience in Saltwater & Reef Aquarium Hobby: 7 years
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#6
November 16th, 2008, 08:34 PM
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Re: Can a skimmer be too big?
What brand skimmer is it?
Current Aquarium(s) Description: 120gallon mostly sps 2 250 watt halide and vho actinics. 75 gallon sump/fuge/frag euroreef 250 Experience in Saltwater & Reef Aquarium Hobby: 5 years Other Intrests: internet porn
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#7
November 17th, 2008, 07:24 AM
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Re: Can a skimmer be too big?
This is a touchy subject that is debated all the time. IMHO and IME I don't believe you can over skim a tank. You could put a 5,000 gallon rated skimmer on a 55 gallon tank. The end result would be a 5,055 gallon system. The skimmer would only skim the amount of proteins and waste that the 55 gallon tank made. And if you under size a skimmer, it will work all the time never really getting everything out of the system leaving you with issue's.
And indeed I agree. All skimmer's are under rated by at least 50%. So if it say's it does 100 gallons, it's only going to keep up with a 50 gallon tank with a very small bio-load. Like 1 fish. Current Aquarium(s) Description: 225 RR /w 100g sump Experience in Saltwater & Reef Aquarium Hobby: 4 years Other Intrests: Really just this Saltwater one.
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#8
November 17th, 2008, 06:49 PM
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Re: Can a skimmer be too big?
Thanks to everybody for your advice! I'll be sticking with the bigger skimmer
 works like a champ
__________________
I have a better solution. You keep me on the payroll as an outside consultant and in exchange for my salary, my job will be never to tell people these things that I know. I don't even have to come into the office, I can do this job from home. Current Aquarium(s) Description: 55gallon Reef Experience in Saltwater & Reef Aquarium Hobby: 14 years fish only 3 years reef Other Intrests: scuba diving & traveling to exotic islands
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