Protein Skimmers - Can you over do it?

[Umbra_Vipera]

I am contemplating this question as I prepare to get my head around the idea of plumbing my setup. I have a CPR AquaFuge Pro that I will be using for a sump/fuge. It contains a built in skimmer powered by a MaxiJet 1200. In another forum posting someone made a comment to the effect that the AquaFuge built in was not the greatest. I have another skimmer, a LifeReef VS2-24 that I could use, but it is powered by a Little Giant Pump 3-MDQX-SC.

With the MaxiJet pushing around 295 gph and the Little Giant pushing around 1000 gph, is the Little Giant overkill for a 75 gallon aquarium?

Also any opinions on the CPR AquaFuge built in skimmer would also be appreciated.

 

[emonemo420]

IMO there is no such thing as overkill in this hobby..more is always better....example...u have a 20 gallon tank with a 1000 gallon sump...is it overkill? or just excellent water? while that is very extreme yes but to say overkill no prolly not....in ur case i dont think so what-so-ever...from the way you word it u make it seem like 75 is small...when compared to the ocean yes but compared to a 10 gallon its huge...so long story short overkill no...if nething it will make yourfish and you much happier in the long run

 

[Riverserver]

It's not so much "more is better" but "quality is better." The skimmers in those CPR fuge's aren't all that impressive. I can't say anything about the LifeReef as I have never used or heard of one.

 

[Umbra_Vipera]

LifeReef's web site can be found here.

I guess it really boils down to water volume then. Since I'm setting up the AquaFuge as a fuge with a deep sand bed, I'm going to be greatly decreasing the amount of water that the fuge will hold. Thereby, a pump pushing 1000 gph sounded...well...insane. That's why I turn to the people with experience.

 

[archer772]

I would go with the LifeReef without a second thought. I am running an ASM G-2 on my 65 but if I had more room under my 65 I would have gone even bigger. I dont believe you can over skim a tank in general, some things might not do as well in a heavily skimmed tank but most things will do much better and it will be easier on you knowing that the tank is staying cleaner IMO.

 

[Umbra_Vipera]

I'm leaning toward an attempt at the LifeReef unit. I have all of the equipment to run that configuration but space, plumbing, and my skills (or lack thereof) will be a fun challenge.