Skimmer changes etc.

[lightcycler]

Currently I'm setting up a 75 gal FOWLR. DSB and Live ROck. Have a HOB Seaclone 100 and Emporer 400 HOB. First I'm looking at putting a Urchin Pro in sump putting the Seaclone in its rightful place......(the trash ). Thinking of doing away with the HOB Emporer. IF I make both of those changes the only flow then is the return from the sump. I would think I would need some power heads but not sure how many and how those are best configured. Thoughts on all of the above? In the back of my mind I think at some point I'll make the move to a Reefer but probably not for a year or so. Currently running bio balls in the first section of the sump. From all I've read those will need to go certainly if I go the reef route later.

[Samper]

You're taking steps in the right direction.

If you go with a large enough return pump and your overflows can handle extremely high flow you can cut way down on powerheads. I'm running a mag 18 for a return pump but I also have 3 maxi jet 1200's and 2 hydor koralia model 4 powerheads for additional flow. I keep a reef so my flow needs to be strong. Yours won't have to be so strong but you will still need to minimize dead spots.

I also feel that you should consider some other skimmer options for a system that size. A cheap skimmer that does work well is a coralife superskimmer. It's Chinese and made cheaply but I've seen them work. The only other downside to it is that it can be touchy to adjust. ASM makes extremely effective skimmers and I'm fairly certain they all come with needle wheels. The design is much the same as a Euro Reef but they definately use cheaper materials and parts. I'm a Euro Reef fan.