1 or 2 Skimmers

[magical26]

Hi all reefers, would you rather run 2 skimmers (each pump 20watts, 1000L, total = 40 watts, 2000L) or run only 1 skimmer (with 1 pump, 40 watts, 2000L)? Dunno if i should upgrade to 1 big skimmer or 2 average size skimmer... This is with the assumption that power sockets are available and not an issue.

Any pros and cons for each preference?

[asg]

2 skimmers = maintainence time * 2...

[Angel Keeper]

Just get one big one lah... Easier to maintain...

Angel Keeper

[magical26]

Thanks for the inputs... Some people tell me 2 better cos if 1 down, still got another to tahan awhile... headache... Haha. No right or wrong i guess... Really down to preference. Or is there something else in terms of pros & cons that i overlooked?

[Angel Keeper]

Then maybe you need 2 tanks at home... In case 1 leaked... LOL!

On a separate note, it's okay to survive 2 days without skimmer... So no worries...

Angel Keeper

[magical26]

Hahaha.... I literally laughed... good point and excuse to have 2 tanks.

[wanwan]

Wat if chiller spoil.. I dont have spare chiller how?

[mitchell.liang.9]

Wat if chiller spoil.. I dont have spare chiller how?

No choice must make bottled popsicles

[Edmund Koh]

haha! Put ice cubes

[wanwan]

Wah bian... Another urgent trip to buy chiller..haha

[taufiq85]

Bigger skimmer better rather than 2 skimmers both of same output... reason being bigger means more surface area and bubble to air surface contact time equals to more effective skimming....agree wif andtsg, with only one skimmer less maintenance time means more attention to detail in terms of cleaning equals to skimmer lasts longer rather than 2 skimmer.....hope this helps

[magical26]

No choice must make bottled popsicles

Even with chiller, I consistently have some frozen 1.5L Bottles frozen. Once in a while just throw inside sump, chiller wont kick in as often. A little bit here and there can help save electricity cost... just my thoughts.

Bigger skimmer better rather than 2 skimmers both of same output... reason being bigger means more surface area and bubble to air surface contact time equals to more effective skimming....agree wif andtsg, with only one skimmer less maintenance time means more attention to detail in terms of cleaning equals to skimmer lasts longer rather than 2 skimmer.....hope this helps

Thanks bro... will take note of that.

[magical26]

Anyone using 2 skimmers instead of 1 out there? Care to share? I believed i came across some reefers' tank got 2 skimmers. Hope you guys chance upon this topic and chime your inputs & knowledge

[xiggie]

Hmmm ... I don't see any difference in using 2 skimmer or 1 bigger size one .. Coz both will process 2k L/h of water and both use the same amount of electricity . Except that when using 2 skimmer they will take up more space .

[xeneryx]

i rmb reading harlequin's thread, i rmb seeing 2 skimmer in his sump.

[Nox]

Won't they use slightly more electricity? I think one larger pump is more efficient than 2 smaller ones

[Angel Keeper]

Some people use 2 to ensure oxygen adequacy in the tank, as well as redundancy... Just follow your heart... It doesn't hurt to have 2...

Angel Keeper

http://www.sgreefclub.com/forum/index.php?/topic/128217-Angel-Keeper's-5-Feet-Mixed-Reef-Tank

[jyoon]

I am running 2 skimmers. It's for redundancy reasons. At times when your skimmer pump fail on you , it might take time to find the spare available. This could take days or up to weeks especially if you skimmer is no longer selling off the shelf.

Obviously the cons are :

More maintenance require

Take up more space

Just my 2 cents.

[tofubox]

It's fine to run just a single skimmer. Cos even if that fails, nothing major will happen. But always good to have secondary return pump n chiller! I run 2 returns and 2 chillers. Secondary chiller is only on when I know I won't be home for the whole day. If budget is a concern n u were to invest in a duplicate item. Return n chiller would be my first choice. Else, a single oversized skimmer works more efficiently than 10 smaller ones.

[flankell]

just get a big one instead of putting two small.

[Harlequinmania]

Actually imo running one Skimmer is better than two. I had to use two skimmer cos I am using back one of my old skimmer and to save some bucks.