skimmer sugestions

[carsonc]

I have a 75 gal reef with a 20 gal sump total water flow on closed loop is around 2000 gph. I do 15 gal water change every 8 days. there are about 18 inches of fish 10 stony corals 5 soft corals. I know I overfeed the tank. The tank is 13 months old and I use tropic marin salt

Original skimmer was a gs 6 (not real sure about the brand I got it from Jeffs exotic it is a euro copy) it came with a sedra 3500 with reg impeller. it would produce about 1/2 in of foam in a week, moderately dry ok gunk just not enough.

Second skimmer was a ev-180 from Aqua c It will produce wet foam and a reasonable amount but will not operate more than 2 days without readjusting air and water flow. It is much too unstable to do much good. I have tried every suggestion any one has given me about this skimmer and most will make it work for a short period of time, but then it quits and I have to start over.

I have learned that my tank can survive without a skimmer since I have never had one that works dependably.

All water tests are nitrate = 6 phosphate < .03 calc = 435 magnesium = 1290 iodide = .05 iodate = .03 alk = 3.66 ph = 8.3 salt = 1.026 strontium = 10 orp = 345
The tank looks ok and the inhabitants appear healthy

I am now having a problem with excess macro alga and some hair alga. I would assume this is because of excess nutrients.

The one thing that bothers me is that the orp is not as stable as it once was. the drop when I do water changes is greater than it used to be (around 100 now) and for no visible reason it will drop by 40 points with nothing having been done to the tank.

I need to get a skimmer that will produce enough skimmate to clean the water on a regular basis. Not something that is so unstable that it must be constantly adjusted.

The current space available (under tank) is approx 8" X 14" X 27"

The cost of the skimmer is not too important. compared to the cost of what is in the tank.

Any sugestions ?

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