Can a Remora (not pro) handle a lightly stocked 55 gal. preditor tank?

Kaos · #1 04/15/2006, 06:02 PM

I'm looking into getting a skimmer for my soon to be 55 gal. preditor tank that will only house a Humma Humma. I've found a good deal on an Anqua C Remora skimmer. I was hoping to get something rated for around 100 gal. (Remora is rated at 75 gal. max) since this will be a preditor tank and he will be fed some live foods (I live close to the ocean). So do you guys think this skimmer will handle the load or should I pass on the deal and try for a Remora Pro or some other skimmer rated for more gallons? TIA.

AnAnemone · #2 04/15/2006, 06:27 PM

I used a CPR bacpac with a humu, and a niger trigger in a 55. Lived on the Gulf so I fed live stuff, too...menhayden, sand fleas...
Had some hair algae but the skimmer seemed to do well.
Later sumped it and added a kent. Much better.
Whatever you choose, look on Ebay to buy.
TimO

poppin_fresh · #3 04/15/2006, 06:30 PM

I had a Remora on my 72 bow untill about 3 months ago. It did a decent job, considering my sump was designed poorly. I had way too much sump flow which is bad for any skimmer. I feel it was a little small for a 72, but it should be great on a 55 with a light bioload.

FlyingFish65 · #4 04/15/2006, 06:40 PM

I agree, should be fine for a 55 with light bioload. Can you upgrade the pump on those?

JmLee · #5 04/15/2006, 07:14 PM

i have one on my 60gal SPS/LPS tank, The only bioload i really have are snails, 1 pink striped watchman goby and 2 orange spotted gobies. Does a pretty good job IMO.

AnAnemone · #6 04/15/2006, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by poppin_fresh
I had a Remora on my 72 bow untill about 3 months ago. It did a decent job, considering my sump was designed poorly. I had way too much sump flow which is bad for any skimmer. I feel it was a little small for a 72, but it should be great on a 55 with a light bioload.

I disagree.
The place the water gets skimmed is in the skimmer, which is independant of the flow in the sump. Skimmer flow is controlled by the pump that drives it and the amount of air injected into that flow.
TimO

AnAnemone · #7 04/15/2006, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by FlyingFish65
I agree, should be fine for a 55 with light bioload. Can you upgrade the pump on those?

One can modify the method of air injection to improve performance on most skimmers, which is easier than replacing pumps.

Kaos · #8 04/15/2006, 09:43 PM

Cool, thanks guys and keep'em coming.

AnAnemone · #9 04/15/2006, 10:48 PM

kaos
The best thing I can come up with lies in your evaluation of where you think your tank will be when you're happy with it.
Do you want an active, full out reef with many fishes, or a tank with few inhabitants.
The more waste created by the tank (everything creates waste), the more intense filtration you'll want to avoid issues down the line.
More waste = bigger, better skimmer. Typically, beginning hobbiests go small on the skimmer, realize the problem, then get a better one, spending 50 - 80 bucks in the process.
Live rock, a great method of in-tank filtration only does particular forms of it... and if in a tank, produces waste that can be eliminated only with skimming.
Just think about your needs.

Ti · #10 04/15/2006, 11:29 PM

it's fine