Who uses external skimmers?

[jmccown]

I am thinking about buying a large commercial skimmer from my brother in law. He had intentions of buying a big tank and never did, so he has had this either ETSS or Euro Reef skimmer for over a year and not used it, it's either 4' or 5' tall. I was thinking of getting this skimmer and plumbing it into my utility room behind my tank. But I am worried about overflowing, etc. Does anyone have an external and if so, how good are they?

[carb850]

I don't think whether it is internal and external really effects performance much. I think would have more to do with what type of skimmer. Recirculating needle wheel, venturi, beckette, etc.

Are all Euro Reef externals recirculating?

[MattG]

I have an external but i have it running in my sump in case of an overflow. I have not had it overflow a single time but i have heard of plenty of instances where externals have overflowed. If i was to run an external skimmer i would install a float switch in the skimmer cup that shuts the pump off in the event of an overflow.

Not all euroreefs are recirculating. The only ones that are recirculating start with a RC. The RS, CS and ES series are not recirculating.

[carb850]

I was just wondering about Euro-Reef externals. The RS, CS, and ES are all internal skimmer though, right?

[MattG]

Yes.

External and Re-circulating usually go hand in hand with needle wheel skimmers.

[jmccown]

Overflowing is my main concern, its been awhile since I've seen the skimmer. But I could have swore that it was a downdraft type. I'll try to get more info on it and post back up. He bought it from a large fish store in Cincinnatti when we went up there last summer. The owner of the store was running two on all of his displays plumbed together. It was kicking butt when I see it in action.

[carb850]

Could you not just put a drain and plumb it to a much larger remote collection cup? Actually, that is something I need to consider. I picked up an external skimmer for my upcoming tank and I didn't even think about the overflowing potential. I will either do a remote reservoir or run it in my sump.

[cdbias2]

I have a lifereef LS3-48 plumbed externally. The collection cup was already drilled so I just ran a hose through the lid of a 3 gal bucket. I only empty it about every 6 weeks. Works great. The air intake also comes from the collection cup, seems like it helps pull the bubbles up through the tube and, if the valve to the overflow from the collection cup is closed, it would draw the skimmate into the intake and start recirculating it. Not great but it's better than overflow spills.

[Reefdiver72]

I have a etss and its plumbed out side of my system I did have it overflow once then i figured out how to set it now it drains the collection cup in a 5 gallon bucket.