Skimmer size?

[Nor'easter reefer]

So I don't know about all yall smarty pants reefers, but I'm very loose on my general assumption of how much water I have. Currently I have a 120g display upstairs plumbed to a 36g fiji cube in the basement that is drilling to overflow into a 40g breeder that stays around half volume which has a reeflo pump drilled into that pu.ping water back upstairs. So I think I'd say I have somewhere between 160-180gallons total water? That being said, I bought a theiling roller mat off brs now that it's being discontinued by them.. mistake? Idk but it was less than 100$ and I read i can use either coolant filter paper OR buy the 8" trigger mats, cut them in half, and build a new spool out of pvc so we'll see. That being said, I have read slightly smaller is better than too big with skimmers. So with a roller mat and a skimmer should I invest in a 150g skimmer? Or maybe go even smaller? I really like the reviews I've read on reef octopus so feel free to even include the model size you'd recommend. Thank you!

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

Do you have a refugium or is that what the fiji cube is? I have a fair sized refugium for nutrient export. My skimmer does pull skimmate out too but it's mostly for putting oxygen into the water. It''s a balancing act for sure. I can't have the skimmer remove to much or my chaeto will suffer.

 

[Uncle99]

So I don't know about all yall smarty pants reefers, but I'm very loose on my general assumption of how much water I have. Currently I have a 120g display upstairs plumbed to a 36g fiji cube in the basement that is drilling to overflow into a 40g breeder that stays around half volume which has a reeflo pump drilled into that pu.ping water back upstairs. So I think I'd say I have somewhere between 160-180gallons total water? That being said, I bought a theiling roller mat off brs now that it's being discontinued by them.. mistake? Idk but it was less than 100$ and I read i can use either coolant filter paper OR buy the 8" trigger mats, cut them in half, and build a new spool out of pvc so we'll see. That being said, I have read slightly smaller is better than too big with skimmers. So with a roller mat and a skimmer should I invest in a 150g skimmer? Or maybe go even smaller? I really like the reviews I've read on reef octopus so feel free to even include the model size you'd recommend. Thank you!

The skimmers not going to pull particular matter like the reef mat, socks, or floss.

But it will pull dissolved organics from the water which may build up over time as water as oxygenate the water.

Bubble magus for me, maybe a curve 3, depends on the room you have.

Both for me.

 

[Nor'easter reefer]

Do you have a refugium or is that what the fiji cube is? I have a fair sized refugium for nutrient export. My skimmer does pull skimmate out too but it's mostly for putting oxygen into the water. It''s a balancing act for sure. I can't have the skimmer remove to much or my chaeto will suffer.

Currently I'm trying to start growing some sea lettuce but it isn't going too well. It's just staying alive not growing lol. I also end up finding it all through my display.. so if I can ever catch algae barn with some in stock I may switch to chaeto soon. I was thinking the skimmer would be good because my 40g constantly has issues with the bubbles from the water churning, acting like a skimmer and making skim mate on the surface and causing my tunze ATO occular sensor to think it sees water when it actually just has a layer of crap on it. I'm wondering though, if the roller mat, skimmer, AND refugium would be too much? Once my refugium actually started doing something that is.

 

[Nor'easter reefer]

The skimmers not going to pull particular matter like the reef mat, socks, or floss.

But it will pull dissolved organics from the water which may build up over time as water as oxygenate the water.

Bubble magus for me, maybe a curve 3, depends on the room you have.

Both for me.

So your thinking that with the mat I can definitely get away with a skimmer on the smaller size? As in, not rated for 150g with a heavy bioload. I'm still early in my tank. I currently only have 4 fish and a few snails, crabs, and 2 urchins. So the bioload isn't crazy high at this moment.

 

[Uncle99]

Each one of those things, reef mats, refuge, skimmer to name a few all are export functions.

In a new reef, all of them would strip the waters of the things we really need to mature our systems.

I think we add these things as needed, when waters start to deteriorate as evidenced by constant rises in nutrients.

But only add what you need to maintain them, not to eliminate them.

I do skimmer first until it can’t keep up, then I went refuge as it mops up organics well and doubles as a pod nursery.

Socks and reef to me the same, pull particles from the water. Socks are cheaper but must be regularly changed, whereas the reef mat does the change automatically, but, in the end, they are similar.

 

[Nor'easter reefer]

Each one of those things, reef mats, refuge, skimmer to name a few all are export functions.

In a new reef, all of them would strip the waters of the things we really need to mature our systems.

I think we add these things as needed, when waters start to deteriorate as evidenced by constant rises in nutrients.

But only add what you need to maintain them, not to eliminate them.

I do skimmer first until it can’t keep up, then I went refuge as it mops up organics well and doubles as a pod nursery.

Socks and reef to me the same, pull particles from the water. Socks are cheaper but must be regularly changed, whereas the reef mat does the change automatically, but, in the end, they are similar.

Ok thank you! I only got the mat because it was on clearance and figured it was worth picking up even if I didn't use it right off. I have a chunk of sea lettuce in my sump with a couple lights but it's not taking right off, I may rearrange my lighting though. But I'll look into the bubble magus

 

[Uncle99]

So your thinking that with the mat I can definitely get away with a skimmer on the smaller size? As in, not rated for 150g with a heavy bioload. I'm still early in my tank. I currently only have 4 fish and a few snails, crabs, and 2 urchins. So the bioload isn't crazy high at this moment.

You’ll need something to remove undisolved foods and waste before they breakdown, so the reef mat or socks to do that. It’s just the reef mat is really really good at removing particles and in the first 6 months, that’s not best. We don’t want to strip the waters clean of organics which in turn feed the good algae and bacteria. If you use that upfront, keep a close eye on nutrients.

I use a bubble magus 5 on 250 gallons for a skimmer.

It’s the first thing I add in a new system.

Until nitrates start rising week over week, it’s all I use plus loose socks.

 

[Uncle99]

Ok thank you! I only got the mat because it was on clearance and figured it was worth picking up even if I didn't use it right off. I have a chunk of sea lettuce in my sump with a couple lights but it's not taking right off, I may rearrange my lighting though. But I'll look into the bubble magus

Oh it’s worth it!

But start it up either after skimmer can’t keep nutrients from rising.

And then if they rise again, refuge time.

Or visa versa……just not all day 1.

 

[Nor'easter reefer]

You’ll need something to remove undisolved foods and waste before they breakdown, so the reef mat or socks to do that. It’s just the reef mat is really really good at removing particles and in the first 6 months, that’s not best. We don’t want to strip the waters clean of organics which in turn feed the good algae and bacteria. If you use that upfront, keep a close eye on nutrients.

I use a bubble magus 5 on 250 gallons for a skimmer.

It’s the first thing I add in a new system.

Until nitrates start rising week over week, it’s all I use plus loose socks.

Well I got nuisance algae starting but my 2 urchins keeps that from going rampant and my tanks been cycled like 4 months or so. Started noticing my water getting cloudy and thought the mat might help. The filter socks that came with the fiji cube sump clog up really easy and seem like I could clean them every 20 mins if I wanted to really maximize the use from them so.. roller mat. Even if it's just a hour here and there. Or at least thats my thought process

 

[Uncle99]

Well I got nuisance algae starting but my 2 urchins keeps that from going rampant and my tanks been cycled like 4 months or so. Started noticing my water getting cloudy and thought the mat might help. The filter socks that came with the fiji cube sump clog up really easy and seem like I could clean them every 20 mins if I wanted to really maximize the use from them so.. roller mat. Even if it's just a hour here and there. Or at least thats my thought process

Go right ahead with that.
Reef mat is like “auto socks”

Some socks are too tight IMM.

 

[felda001]

So I don't know about all yall smarty pants reefers, but I'm very loose on my general assumption of how much water I have. Currently I have a 120g display upstairs plumbed to a 36g fiji cube in the basement that is drilling to overflow into a 40g breeder that stays around half volume which has a reeflo pump drilled into that pu.ping water back upstairs. So I think I'd say I have somewhere between 160-180gallons total water? That being said, I bought a theiling roller mat off brs now that it's being discontinued by them.. mistake? Idk but it was less than 100$ and I read i can use either coolant filter paper OR buy the 8" trigger mats, cut them in half, and build a new spool out of pvc so we'll see. That being said, I have read slightly smaller is better than too big with skimmers. So with a roller mat and a skimmer should I invest in a 150g skimmer? Or maybe go even smaller? I really like the reviews I've read on reef octopus so feel free to even include the model size you'd recommend. Thank you!

One thing to remember about the thieling I think it’s only rated for 500gph so you might want to split the return so that it goes some to that some to your skimmer or refugium