Oversized Skimmer, too much??

[tofubox]

Hi guys,

Im relatively new to marine, have been into freshwater for about 2 years. I would really like to venture into the reefing hobby and i hope to get some advise from the more experienced people here.

My intended tank set up: 3ft x 2ft x2ft, 3 section sump tank, skimmer / return / refugium.

I have done plenty of reading and research over pass 2 months. Selection of equipment is really important, so im willingly to spend more at the initial start up.

Question is, how powerful can my skimmer be for a total tank+sump vol of 520L bare? I intend on getting an oversized skimmer for long term plans on keeping SPS in the future. I plan on getting a dectec SC2060. But will it be too much, to the point its actually useless and worst still, causing negative effects to the tank. or just settle for something smaller, the deltec APF 800.

By the word "oversized" filter? How big is too big? Is there a limit?

1. In Sump Version - Deltec SC2060

Significantly exceeds performance of AP701/AP851 (600 lts of air - 230V)

Total air produced - 1100-1200 lts/hour

Power consumption - 25-28 watts

Water level in sump - 180mm min 260mm max

Tank Suitability 1400 lts heavy stocking

1700 lts normal stocking

Air silencer

Micro adjustable skimmer setting

High water flow through the skimmer

No feed pump required, skimmer draws water directly from the sump

2. External - APF 800

power consumption - 12 Watt

airflow - 600 litre/h

Suggested pump supply 700-1300 litres

high stocking 800 litres

normal stocking 1000 litres

code - 88020

3. Any other recommandations? Have a budget of $1800 with a sump size of 30 x 23 cm.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated and helpful! Thanks alot!

[straydum]

i would say that the APF 800 would do just fine for your tank. you current volume of 520L doesn't include your rockwork and other things in the tank which would eventually bring down the total water volume, in fact you would be over skimming with the APF 800 already not that i believe that you can overskim but you get my point, just 125 - 150% of the tank rating would be enough.

having a oversized skimmer would only mean having very little to skim out on a regular basis. basically the neck on big skimmer is so large that you can’t maintain a proper foam head with so little organics to work with. so it sits unskimmed until enough organics build up that the large skimmer will make a bit into the cup and shut down again.

the money saved could get you a better equipments or better corals too

[tofubox]

Thanks for the advise! I guess i am going to ditch the idea of the Deltec Sc 2060.

Any comments for the bubbleking mini 200? I've seen some good reviews on it. Anyone has used it before and can comment on it?