Yet another "is this the right skimmer" thread

nim6us · May 18, 2018

Hey all!

So I've got a RS Reefer 425 and I got a great deal on a Deltec SC 1660 so I snapped that up when I was beginning my build. I've got 2 Aquamaxx reactors that I've plumed in on a manifold and now that it's all coming together when I put the Deltec in the sump, it's REALLY crowded, making it difficult to do maintenance.

That got me looking at the Nyos Quantum 120. It says it will handle 125 gallons, and my tank is 110 gallons. So it seems like it should be plenty. But the more research I did the more people said that the Nyos Quantum 160 is a better buy. However I looked at the size and my current Deltec is 22.5 inches and the Nyos 160 is 21 inches, so it's about the same size!

I guess my question is, will the Nyos 120 be plenty, or am I skating to close to the edge and I should keep my Deltec and just deal with the crowded sump in favor of better performance?

reeftivo · May 18, 2018

do you plan to stock medium to heavy?

if so go with the 160. the 125 rating is for lightly stocked. Although the 120 may be enough if you chose some additional export via macro in fuge, algae scrubber or chaeto rx along with the skimmer.

i think you would be better off with the 160 though. just my .02

nim6us · May 18, 2018

Phone duplicated post.

nim6us · May 18, 2018

Phone duplicated post.

nim6us · May 18, 2018

Yeah I’m not stocking heavy medium perhaps, more a focus on coral. And one of the reactors will be a macro algae reactor.

I guess I bought a massive return pump thinking bigger is better. But scaling it back and getting something smaller was better for the tank. I just don’t want to make the same mistake with the skimmer. Spend a week breaking in this monster skimmer only to find I could/should have went smaller.

Potatohead · May 18, 2018

I would say the 120 is too small unless you only plan on a few fish. 160 would be better but since it is not much physically smaller I would probably just stick with the Deltec.