skimmer size for sump design

JamesThomas · 01/03/2018, 05:13 PM

Im doing a layout of my 40gal sump. it looks like the design has an area 9" by 16" for the skimmer area. Is this enough? Ive seen different footprint sized and didnt know if there was a rule of thumb.
Im setting up the sump for a 140gal tank

mcgyvr · 01/04/2018, 09:39 AM

Plenty of room

nereefpat · 01/04/2018, 10:13 AM

It depends on the footprint of the skimmer you are going to use.

The 16" is definitely fine. The 9" may or may not be.

JamesThomas · 01/04/2018, 07:04 PM

Well I don’t have the skimmer yet. Maybe I should bump the skimmer area up to 10” leaving a smaller return chamber

RobZilla04 · 01/05/2018, 07:19 AM

A better bet is to get the equipment you plan to use then finalize the sump layout. You can use rough measurements to select equipment sizes but the final placement and divider installation would be best done once all equipment has arrived.

mcgyvr · 01/05/2018, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesThomas

Well I don’t have the skimmer yet. Maybe I should bump the skimmer area up to 10” leaving a smaller return chamber

A smart move would be to simply start looking at skimmers and write down the footprints of the ones you might be interested in and then size as needed..

JamesThomas · 01/05/2018, 08:39 AM

Ok I’ve begun looking. I hear good things about the reef octopus

JamesThomas · 01/05/2018, 09:51 AM

Do we have any area for used equipment? I’ll need a skimmer for 150 gal aggressive fish only

mcgyvr · 01/05/2018, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesThomas

Do we have any area for used equipment? I’ll need a skimmer for 150 gal aggressive fish only

There is but rules of this forum don't allow you there until 50 posts and like 90 days membership or something...

Might I suggest a Bubble Magus Curve 7 Skimmer for your tank if you plan on decently stocking it or the Curve 5 if lightly stocked..

I am very happy with my Curve 5 on my 80g tank.. Its quiet and performs very well..

JamesThomas · 01/05/2018, 10:43 AM

Ok I’ve read about that model. I’ll check it out. Thanks for the direction!

oldhead · 01/05/2018, 10:57 AM

The other thing you will have to check is skimmer depth. I made my sump and had originally decided on a bubble magus. I made the sump chamber 11" deep to their deepest spec. I then changed my mind and bought a reef octopus. The depth that is running at is 6 1/2". I just had to build an egg crate stand. You may or may not have adjustable baffles if your sump is store bought.

on the spot · 01/05/2018, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesThomas

Do we have any area for used equipment?..

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

There is but rules of this forum don't allow you there until 50 posts and like 90 days membership or something...

I believe you can visit your local forums - you often find the sale threads posted there first.

See if there is a group near where you live.

HTH

JamesThomas · 01/05/2018, 05:22 PM

found a reef octopus 300 for $250. sounds pretty good?

mcgyvr · 01/06/2018, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesThomas

found a reef octopus 300 for $250. sounds pretty good?

Which 300 model?

Way too big IMO for a 140g tank if its one of their 300SSs/INT,etc... models..as they are rated like 500g I though.. or so..

JamesThomas · 01/06/2018, 10:09 AM

oh I thought bigger was better. lol. I was reading that they are noiseyand more difficult to tune.
maybe Ill keep looking at the Magus curve. seems solid and really quiet. just seems like it needs such a high water level...11in

JamesThomas · 01/06/2018, 10:10 AM

Ill have the height available so maybe Ill just put the baffles in after, like everyone is suggesting

mcgyvr · 01/06/2018, 02:23 PM

FWIW my curve 5 works best in far less than the stated water level..I think mine is in like 6" or less...

JamesThomas · 01/06/2018, 03:27 PM

thanks for the info. I think Im going with the Curve. looks like a great piece of equiptment
How many gallons are you running thru it? not sure if I need the 5 or 7. Ill have 180 gal total with predator fish

mcgyvr · 01/07/2018, 07:35 AM

I'd get the 7 if I were you..

01/03/2018, 05:13 PM	#1
JamesThomas Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 19	skimmer size for sump design Im doing a layout of my 40gal sump. it looks like the design has an area 9" by 16" for the skimmer area. Is this enough? Ive seen different footprint sized and didnt know if there was a rule of thumb. Im setting up the sump for a 140gal tank

01/04/2018, 09:39 AM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	Plenty of room __________________ Who me?

01/04/2018, 10:13 AM	#3
nereefpat Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Central Nebraska Posts: 3,190	It depends on the footprint of the skimmer you are going to use. The 16" is definitely fine. The 9" may or may not be. __________________ Pat Current Tank Info: 125 in-wall , 40b sump. 6 bulb T5. ASM G2 skimmer. LPS and leathers

01/05/2018, 07:19 AM	#5
RobZilla04 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: St. Augustine, FL Posts: 1,857	A better bet is to get the equipment you plan to use then finalize the sump layout. You can use rough measurements to select equipment sizes but the final placement and divider installation would be best done once all equipment has arrived. __________________ 90g Mixed Reef

01/06/2018, 02:23 PM	#17
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	FWIW my curve 5 works best in far less than the stated water level..I think mine is in like 6" or less... __________________ Who me?

01/04/2018, 07:04 PM	#4
JamesThomas Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 19	Well I don’t have the skimmer yet. Maybe I should bump the skimmer area up to 10” leaving a smaller return chamber

01/05/2018, 08:39 AM	#7
JamesThomas Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 19	Ok I’ve begun looking. I hear good things about the reef octopus

01/05/2018, 09:51 AM	#8
JamesThomas Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 19	Do we have any area for used equipment? I’ll need a skimmer for 150 gal aggressive fish only

01/05/2018, 10:43 AM	#10
JamesThomas Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 19	Ok I’ve read about that model. I’ll check it out. Thanks for the direction!

01/05/2018, 10:57 AM	#11
oldhead Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: New Jersey Posts: 527	The other thing you will have to check is skimmer depth. I made my sump and had originally decided on a bubble magus. I made the sump chamber 11" deep to their deepest spec. I then changed my mind and bought a reef octopus. The depth that is running at is 6 1/2". I just had to build an egg crate stand. You may or may not have adjustable baffles if your sump is store bought.

01/05/2018, 05:22 PM	#13
JamesThomas Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 19	found a reef octopus 300 for $250. sounds pretty good?

01/06/2018, 10:09 AM	#15
JamesThomas Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 19	oh I thought bigger was better. lol. I was reading that they are noiseyand more difficult to tune. maybe Ill keep looking at the Magus curve. seems solid and really quiet. just seems like it needs such a high water level...11in

01/06/2018, 10:10 AM	#16
JamesThomas Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 19	Ill have the height available so maybe Ill just put the baffles in after, like everyone is suggesting

01/06/2018, 03:27 PM	#18
JamesThomas Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 19	thanks for the info. I think Im going with the Curve. looks like a great piece of equiptment How many gallons are you running thru it? not sure if I need the 5 or 7. Ill have 180 gal total with predator fish

01/07/2018, 07:35 AM	#19
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	I'd get the 7 if I were you.. __________________ Who me?