Love my Euro-Reef but need external skimmer

[vasubandu]

I have a Euro-Reef CS2-8 for my 180 gallon FOWLR&DSB (Fish Only With Live Rock and Deep Sand Bed). Everything is great except for nitrates, which are always high. I am planning to convert the sump to a refugium, so I won't have room for a huge in-sump protein skimmer. Space is a huge problem because the tank is in my office. But an attractive skimmer would be fine in the corner. I am thinking something 48-72 inches high. Any recommendations for a skimmer that could be configured outside the sump?

[Reefland]

Hi vasubandu, hope all has been going well for you!

I would look into the My Reef skimmers. With proper bulkheads in the sump this skimmer could easily be placed externally and is a quality piece of equipment. If you have to stick it in the corner, they look nice too.

[reefsus]

H&S external skimmer, i happen to have one for sale...

It a a150-2001 model, Rated for 250g. This is the skimmer ER supposely orginally copied their design off of. Its german, thats why a lot people still havent heard of it. But it has become quite common to hear of this skimmer on RC now.

[aLittletank]

I would go with a becket style skimmer.
1st choice http://www.barraquatic.com/
2nd http://www.myreefcreations.com/

[reefsus]

Becketts can be extremely loud, because you have to run them with a strong external pump. For an office a needlewheel skimmer would be a lot better choice....

[Reefland]

We are currently running a MR-1 with a MAG 18 and it is totally silent, even with the stand door open. I guess if you are running a larger pump like an Iwaki it could get loud though...

[reefsus]

Mag 18 on a beckett skimmer...haha.

Sorry, i hate to say it but mag's are hardly pressure rated, they do a c****y job on a beckett, if you compare them a external pressure rated pump.

Reefland, try out an iwaki or blueline and tell me if you see a difference in performance.;)

[reefsus]

Btw, no to make anyone sound like a fool.


....Just feeling a little on the arrogant side tonight.

[Reefland]

I realize that the beckett would perform better with a pressure rated pump however the MAG 18 powers the skimmer nicely. Besides, with a 20 gallon sump, ballasts and a dual chamber reactor I don't have room for a pump under our 75.