Protien Skimmer + Powerheads

[eianson]

This forum is great. The more I read the more I learn. :cool:

After reading MANY posts, it is clear there are lots of ways to make things work.

One of the ways I am contemplating going is a Remora Protien Skimmer (with a Maxijet 1200 pump) in a 55 gallon tank. Now the question I have is if I want a water turnover of 5-10 times, do I count the Maxijet on the PS (295 GPH) towards the total? If so, should I just use one more medium powerhead (Maxijet 900) or 2 smaller ones (Maxijet 400)? Since it is a 48" tank, my thoughts are to use the Remora in the middle and the 2 smaller Maxijets on each end.

I understand there are other ways to go, like using just a bio-wheel, but assuming I go PS + Powerheads, what do you think?

Thanks,
Eric

[always learning]

I would suggest using two maxijet400's instead of one 900 and put the protein skimmer where quite a bit of water movement is to get the most out of it.

[BrianH]

I would not include the remora in your tank turnover calculations. Especially since the remora only flows 85 gph.( see link) Aqua C (http://www.proteinskimmer.com/specs.htm)
Remember that the pump also powers the spray injection and therefore does not turnover the same amount running the skimmer as it is rated for as a powerhead. You also may want to consider the remora pro on a 55 gallon tank. IMHO I like a skimmer that has at least a 2 times tank turnover and the remora pro has a flow through rate of 110gph.

Brian

[eianson]

Brian,

Thanks for the info. So, based on your input, I would be looking at a Remora Pro (with a Mag 3...110 GPH) plus 2 Maxijet 900s (230 GPH each). Agree?

Thanks,
Eric

[mogurnda]

Can I offer another option, now that summer is here? I use a closed loop, with an external pump doing all of my circulation. In mine, the pump intake is in one corner, covered with a screen, and the output goes to a tee to two outlets. Then you can use SeaSwirls or diffusers to give the desired flow pattern. The big benefit is that it gets the pumps (and therefore heat) out of the tank. For mine, I bought a Danner Magdrive (because I'm cheap) that gave the right flow plus enough to make up for the loss of flow due to the plumbing.
Lots of people are happy with Maxijets, though. If it were me, I would have more flow than you are planning (I am running ~400 gph through the 20 gallon reef and refugium), and I totally agree with BrianH about the RemoraPro.