Go Plus One: Bump it up a notch
Someone told me this once: “When it comes to equipment, buy what you need at that moment. Don’t buy anything more.”
When it comes to reefkeeping, I disagree.
Instead, adopt this mindset: Find what you need, then buy one step up. It’s called “Go Plus One”
Take the example of protein skimmers. These things are essential for any reef system. They remove wastes before they have a chance to decay in your tank. Decaying waste causes high nitrates and nuisance algae issues. Bad news.
Every protein skimmer is rated by its maker to be good up to a certain size of tank. For example, a Hydor Performer 405 skimmer is rated for tanks 100-150 gallons. Assuming you had a 125 gallon tank, if you adhered to the “only buy what you need” mentality, you’d buy this skimmer that is perfectly matched for your tank. That’s ok, but if you want to increase the diversity of your livestock you can have in the tank and save yourself some major headaches, go plus one.
If you went plus one, then you’d buy the next skimmer model up (using our Hydor Performer example, the Performer 505, rated for 125-200 G). The bigger skimmer would result in not only the ability to add more diverse corals to your tank, but more importantly, the ability to absorb any bumps in the road.
You’d be able to add in more SPS corals as you’d have better nutrient/waste export from the skimmer resulting in better water quality. Better water equals happier corals.
Also, if something goes wrong in the tank – a large fish dies that the clean up crew can’t handle – or your sand bed gets stirred up for some reason and releases lots of waste in your tank, then the bigger skimmer will pull the waste out faster so it has less of a chance to affect the tank. Bottom line – less headaches for you.
So go 1+ and expand your tank inhabitants and buy yourself some cheap insurance.
Note: always measure to make sure the bigger skimmer will fit in your sump!
Browse the Store! Questions?
you’re so right about the skimmer however. It also depends on the brand. Royal exclusive has a better rating then most brands.
Also i believe air intake is a good way to look at a skimmer. I mean if it’s rated for 800L but the air intake is 400L/H it’s probably best to divide it in two.
The biggest question after carefully studying your guide multiple times is; what is the best lighting choice now… 2012? New led systems everywhere and controversy surrounding every aspect of the lighting industry really causes me distress in making the wrong decision!
Neville..I don’t believe there is a single best lighting choice. Each tank has its own needs/budgets so lighting has to be chosen accordingly.
Understood! Thankyou and I’ll continue watching every new video! 🙂
Can you go to big on the skimmer
Aaron…perhaps if you went WAY overboard, say a skimmer rated for 2000g on your 55g. At that point though, there likely wouldn’t be enough bioload to have the skimmer run properly so it would be a mute point.
Hey Mark does your “Go Plus One policy go for your filtration as well or just your skimmer??
I was thinking of getting a skimmer. I have a 90 gallon fowlr. There are so many options that I am not sure what to get. I was thinking of getting the SWC160 like you used on your 90 gallon Mr Saltwater. Would you still recommend this one or are there others that you think would be better now? The foot print would be about 9″x11.5″.
Armour….I still like the SWC 160 and would recommend it
Hey Mark,
I’m starting a new build and I am really interested in the MCR 36″Bio-sump. The new tank will be just shy of 190G and I will be moving up from a 75G. My question is, with the Bio-Media included in this system, does it allow for less rock in the display. The 75G was started with dry rock, approx. 65lbs of pukani/shelf and branch. With the new tank, dim. 60″x30″x24″, I would like to utilize more negative space and not feel I have to add 100lbs more of rock. The tank will be a mixed reef..
Thanks for your time
if i have a massive sump is it a good idea to have two skimmers instead of just one. do you think it would clean more or just divide the dirt in half between the two skimmers
Harrison…I’d go with one skimmer. You’ll have less electrical cords to deal with and less things to break.