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Unread 05/28/2018, 04:54 PM   #1
marinelife
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2 skimmers

Anyone running 2 skimmers? my current skimmer is rated for 800 gallons but fully stocked its rated for less. My current system is about 475 gallons. I wonder if a second skimmer would help the tank. My tank seems to be running fine with one but would a second improve the water quality? Phosphates are the main issue and detritus.


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Unread 05/28/2018, 06:05 PM   #2
mcgyvr
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You can certainly run 2...if its going go to help is basically impossible to answer....
Sounds like overfeeding may be an issue for you...


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Unread 05/28/2018, 06:48 PM   #3
James77
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I have run 2 skimmers in the past, but you may find they will end up competing with each other. The performance of any skimmer can drop, since they would both be kind of oversized for you when combined.

What skimmer are you running?


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Unread 05/28/2018, 07:23 PM   #4
marinelife
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mcgyvr View Post
You can certainly run 2...if its going go to help is basically impossible to answer....
Sounds like overfeeding may be an issue for you...
Yes, I would agree, I am over feeding. I like to see my fish fat and healthy.


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Current Tank Info: 375 Gallon Reef with siporax, all LED lighting, and Red Dragon 3 and Abyzz A200 on 2 closed loops.
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Unread 05/28/2018, 07:25 PM   #5
marinelife
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Quote:
Originally Posted by James77 View Post
I have run 2 skimmers in the past, but you may find they will end up competing with each other. The performance of any skimmer can drop, since they would both be kind of oversized for you when combined.

What skimmer are you running?
it's a Tunze 9430 skimmer


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Current Tank Info: 375 Gallon Reef with siporax, all LED lighting, and Red Dragon 3 and Abyzz A200 on 2 closed loops.
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Unread 05/29/2018, 04:50 AM   #6
mcgyvr
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How about carbon dosing?
OR just GFO if phosphates are the only issue?

I personally think you are better to "underskim" than "overskim"...


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Unread 05/29/2018, 08:41 AM   #7
marinelife
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I run Lanthanum chloride for phosphates. It holds it steady for me. Was just thinking crazy thoughts and wondered how a second skimmer would do.
Currently, I have the detritus settling in the second sump so I can clean it out easily but this is done by having my return line with low flow.


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Current Tank Info: 375 Gallon Reef with siporax, all LED lighting, and Red Dragon 3 and Abyzz A200 on 2 closed loops.
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Unread 05/29/2018, 11:54 AM   #8
jda
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I run two any time that I can. The logic is simple... while I totally believe that a single super-high end skimmer is better than a middling one, a pair of middling skimmers will outproduce a high end one.

...so a pair of older ASM G4s will outpeform a BK 400 at a price of about $500 to $4000. I do have two cups to clean and two impellers to replace ever 4-5 years, but I still come out ahead.


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Unread 05/30/2018, 07:45 PM   #9
marinelife
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jda View Post
I run two any time that I can. The logic is simple... while I totally believe that a single super-high end skimmer is better than a middling one, a pair of middling skimmers will outproduce a high end one.

...so a pair of older ASM G4s will outpeform a BK 400 at a price of about $500 to $4000. I do have two cups to clean and two impellers to replace ever 4-5 years, but I still come out ahead.
Thanks, this gives me some things to think about.


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Current Tank Info: 375 Gallon Reef with siporax, all LED lighting, and Red Dragon 3 and Abyzz A200 on 2 closed loops.
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Unread 05/30/2018, 11:15 PM   #10
moondoggy4
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Two ASM's

Quote:
Originally Posted by jda View Post
I run two any time that I can. The logic is simple... while I totally believe that a single super-high end skimmer is better than a middling one, a pair of middling skimmers will outproduce a high end one.

...so a pair of older ASM G4s will outpeform a BK 400 at a price of about $500 to $4000. I do have two cups to clean and two impellers to replace ever 4-5 years, but I still come out ahead.
My LFS store runs two on his FOLR, I think the tank is 600 gallons, seems to work great.


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Unread 07/01/2018, 05:36 PM   #11
marinelife
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Thanks, everyone for the advice. I think I will move forward with this when I see what sales come up for the 4th.


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Current Tank Info: 375 Gallon Reef with siporax, all LED lighting, and Red Dragon 3 and Abyzz A200 on 2 closed loops.
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