Hi I'm New Here And Need Advise On A New Skimmer

[markvs]

hi,

got a 175 gallon system with a sump. been running it for 6 months. my readings are all ok, except my nitrate which is a bit high. I've got a fair bit of live rock in it (not sure the weight but it runs the whole width of the 5'tank and 2/3 of the way up) and run 4 T5's. I use an old 304 with carbon in it, and am in the process of converting the sump to a dsb.

my question is this, i bought a berlin skimmer second hand when i started - and now wish i hadn't bothered. i need to get a new one pdq - the deltec APF600 has been recommended, just like to get other peoples opinions

thanks

mark

[mattbeaman]

Hi Mark - welcome. :)

Opinions (as always :) ) differ - but the deltecs are very popular and do have a lot of support. I have used several models now and still rate them highly.

However from experience, bearing in mind the size of your system already - and also the fact that so many people end up with bigger and bigger tanks :) I would recommend you think about the 850 rather than the 600. I don't think you'd be dissappointed. If you keep or intend to stick with softies only then the 600 would arguably be ok - but otherwise I would not be happy with nearly 200 gallons without at least the 850.

One of the most common mistakes many of us make in this hobby is going for the model that will just about suffice - often because of cost - but in the long (and often short :) ) term it ends up costing a lot more.

HTH

[markvs]

hi matt

thanks for the speedy reply. i did think about the 850 - but it's too tall for my cabinet. and there is no way the missus is gonna let me have one outside of it!!

i thought if i went for the 600, with a dsb with calupera and/or mangroves then i would get away with it. I only have softies at the moment - and it will probably stay that way for a while - i can always add another 600 in a year or two. I spoke to a guy in scotland who has done this with quite a bit of sucess (running two apf 600's that is)

mark

[Darryl]

Mark I would do a search on running two 600's together, it is a queston that has been asked before !
Regarding skimmers and height, this has always been a problem for potential 850 owners a lot do build cabinates on to the side of the tank, and these can look nice if done properly, If you find Paul Evertons web site he has pictures to show this. An often overlooked alternative is the Aquamedic 5000 shorty, a very good skimmer IMO, this could be an option for you at a later stage if you think the 600 is underskimming, it has recently been redisigned slightly and should fit in most cabinates that accept 600s, HTH Darryl B)

[Garry thomas]

Welcome mark may i suggest the t/f shorty it's an awesome bit of kit m8. How much hieght have you got in your cab?