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View Full Version : RS...RC whats the diff?

etrigo29
08/24/2007, 04:46 PM
Okay I know stupid and newbie question but I can't find the difference between the two and how each compares in performance. I'm needing something for my 120 and I'm having hte sump built this weekend and although I won't have the $$$ for hte skimmer right away I would like to make sure that I have the space for in the future.

Thanks

Eddie
Jim_S
08/24/2007, 05:47 PM
RC is a recirculating skimmer configuration. This means the NW pump draws water from inside the skimmer body and recirculates it while mixing the air and water, also allowing for longer contact time. These models require a seperate feed source. This is what makes them so attractive to me, because you can feed the skimmer raw water directly from your overflow. The acrylic on these skimmers is bonded with pvc welds allowing for a much stronger build. They are very high quality all the way around. They can also be run externally.

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m199/jimdogg187/Misc/RCskimmer.jpg

RS models draw water directly from the sump and use the same pump to mix the air and water. These are much more of a plug-in and play type unit. The acrylic is bonded with bonding agents. These must be run insump.

http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m199/jimdogg187/Misc/Insumpskimmer.jpg
etrigo29
08/25/2007, 01:20 AM
okay so i'll be using a 40 breeder for this sump, and the efficiency is the same because it uses the same pump??

so i guess a rs135 would work out pretty well then?
shawnz28
08/25/2007, 02:01 AM
A RS135 will skim a 120 very well. I personally used a ES6-2+ on my 120 for a few years when I had it and was very happy and the tank did great. The ES6-2+ was the equivalent model to the RS135 but the RS135 pulls more air due the to the new impeller.
etrigo29
08/25/2007, 03:03 AM
okay last question which i've not been able to find. i assume I can't have this bad boy submerged in the sump all the way. whats the max/min water height on this skimmer?
shawnz28
08/25/2007, 11:27 AM
Minimum is probably around 5" so the pump does not cavitate. Max for it to work well IMO is about 10 or so. The "sweet spot" is around 7 to 8 for what I have seen