Dec 03, 2013
Andre
wrote
I currently have a 55 gallon mixed reef tank with power heads which I plan to upgrade in the near future probably 150, may be to a 180 gallon closed loop tank with reflow hammerhead.
I was looking at the DCS200 due to a good deal. Can this skimmer be dialed down to work on a 55gallon or is to big. What about the 150 gallon tank?
Currently the load is pretty low -- 2 small tangs/2 Cardinals/2 ocellaris/ 1 goby / 1 open brain/ 1 polyps/1 montipora/1 mushroom / 1 lobo / 1 bird nest (all pretty small about 2-3 inches wide).. but planning to add more corals and sps in the newer tank. I also currently run a 20 sump with refugium, GFO media. which I plan to upgrade to a 40 gallon refugium/sump.
Also, do you recommend any other skimmers model that would provide better price performance around same price or less.
I was looking at the DCS200 due to a good deal. Can this skimmer be dialed down to work on a 55gallon or is to big. What about the 150 gallon tank?
Currently the load is pretty low -- 2 small tangs/2 Cardinals/2 ocellaris/ 1 goby / 1 open brain/ 1 polyps/1 montipora/1 mushroom / 1 lobo / 1 bird nest (all pretty small about 2-3 inches wide).. but planning to add more corals and sps in the newer tank. I also currently run a 20 sump with refugium, GFO media. which I plan to upgrade to a 40 gallon refugium/sump.
Also, do you recommend any other skimmers model that would provide better price performance around same price or less.
Reply
5 Answers
Dec 04, 2013
Carlos
agent
wrote
Andre,
The DCS-200 would be way too big for a 180 gallon system so a 55 gallon tank is definitely out of the question. Even dialing it down would not work because the size of the skimmer is just too big.
I would recommend the following skimmer for your system that would take into account your near-future upgrade:
http://www.coralvue.com/reef-octopus-dnwb200-classic-recirculating-protein-skimmer
http://www.coralvue.com/reef-octopus-sro2000ext-super-reef-protein-skimmer
http://www.coralvue.com/sro-xp2000-space-saver-protein-skimmer
http://www.coralvue.com/reef-octopus-nwb200-classic-protein-skimmer
Let me know if you have any more questions.
Kind regards,
Carlos Chacon
CoralVue
The DCS-200 would be way too big for a 180 gallon system so a 55 gallon tank is definitely out of the question. Even dialing it down would not work because the size of the skimmer is just too big.
I would recommend the following skimmer for your system that would take into account your near-future upgrade:
http://www.coralvue.com/reef-octopus-dnwb200-classic-recirculating-protein-skimmer
http://www.coralvue.com/reef-octopus-sro2000ext-super-reef-protein-skimmer
http://www.coralvue.com/sro-xp2000-space-saver-protein-skimmer
http://www.coralvue.com/reef-octopus-nwb200-classic-protein-skimmer
Let me know if you have any more questions.
Kind regards,
Carlos Chacon
CoralVue
Dec 04, 2013
Andre
wrote
What about the DCS 170 would that work on a 150-180 gallon tank? (don't worry about the 55g).. Or the other you recommend would provide better price/performance..
Thank you
Thank you
Dec 04, 2013
Carlos
agent
wrote
Andre,
Yes, that skimmer would work but I would actually recommend the following skimmer if you are looking for that price range:
http://www.coralvue.com/reef-octopus-sro2000int-super-reef-protein-skimmer
It can handle the same load the DCS-170 can but it uses a Bubble Blaster pump which is more reliable and better than the DC pump. Both the SRO 2000 and the DCS-170 are about the same price.
Regards,
Yes, that skimmer would work but I would actually recommend the following skimmer if you are looking for that price range:
http://www.coralvue.com/reef-octopus-sro2000int-super-reef-protein-skimmer
It can handle the same load the DCS-170 can but it uses a Bubble Blaster pump which is more reliable and better than the DC pump. Both the SRO 2000 and the DCS-170 are about the same price.
Regards,
Dec 04, 2013
Andre
wrote
I'm not set on a specific price - although would be nice if was less then $700-800.. Just want to make sure that I get the best performance for my system. If the skimmer can be used for both the 55g and then moved up to the 180 great.. Else I'll buy 2 skimmers.
Ideally I wanted a DC controlled pump such as the DCS or DCRS.... but since you mentioned that the SRO is a better choice I'll follow your advice, unless there is something better then the SRO 2000...
I noticed that the SRO is an external unit? Do you recommend that over an internal unit. Originally I was thinking about getting a in-sump to keep noise level down and may be save some space which is not a must requirements.
Would also the SRO be the top choice among the one you listed and other ones?
THank you,
Andre
Ideally I wanted a DC controlled pump such as the DCS or DCRS.... but since you mentioned that the SRO is a better choice I'll follow your advice, unless there is something better then the SRO 2000...
I noticed that the SRO is an external unit? Do you recommend that over an internal unit. Originally I was thinking about getting a in-sump to keep noise level down and may be save some space which is not a must requirements.
Would also the SRO be the top choice among the one you listed and other ones?
THank you,
Andre
Dec 04, 2013
Carlos
agent
wrote
Andre,
The DC has a nice feature of controlling the pump but in a system of your size, you won't need that. You will just have the pump running full blast all the time. So that really takes the controller out of the equation. You will be able to run the SRO on the smaller system for a little while but only because it is not going to be a permanent thing.
The SRO 2000 is an in-sump skimmer. Choosing between external and in-sump comes down to your needs. If you have the space in the sump and don't want to have anything outside the tank, then go in-sump but if space in the sump is limited, you have to go with external. Not really a difference in terms of efficiency our output.
Yes, the SRO would be the top choice skimmer. It is a fantastic skimmer with a sturdy and well made hybrid body, very quiet, low heat and low wattage (only 30 watts) pump which also comes with a 3-year limited warranty.
Hope this helps!
Carlos Chacon
CoralVue
The DC has a nice feature of controlling the pump but in a system of your size, you won't need that. You will just have the pump running full blast all the time. So that really takes the controller out of the equation. You will be able to run the SRO on the smaller system for a little while but only because it is not going to be a permanent thing.
The SRO 2000 is an in-sump skimmer. Choosing between external and in-sump comes down to your needs. If you have the space in the sump and don't want to have anything outside the tank, then go in-sump but if space in the sump is limited, you have to go with external. Not really a difference in terms of efficiency our output.
Yes, the SRO would be the top choice skimmer. It is a fantastic skimmer with a sturdy and well made hybrid body, very quiet, low heat and low wattage (only 30 watts) pump which also comes with a 3-year limited warranty.
Hope this helps!
Carlos Chacon
CoralVue