Internal vs External Skimmers

[tanglovers]

Hi All,

Due to a recent unforseen issue we are going to be upgrading our tank to a 150 gallon tank with a 75 gallon sump (will have about 50 gallons of water in it). Since we are upgrading tanks, our skimmer must also be upgraded. We currently are running a Euro-Reef CS8-1 and it has been a good little skimmer but we are looking at Deltec and BK now.

I wanted to know what your opinions are about internal vs external skimmers. I have never have an external skimmer but can see where it would be nice to not have all the grime on the outside of the skimmer.

Which is more efficient? I know the externals are more expensive and I like how easy the insump models are to set up.

Opinions/Suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks!

[invincible569]

External:
Pros
1. Easy Maintenance
2. Less heat transferred to water (pump)
3. Not limited to location of setup.
4. Looks more professional.

Cons:
1. A little harder to setup/tune.
2. Does not provide a sponge for extra protection of misc debris.
3. Larger footprint in most cases (this is probably a good thing, especially for me)
4. Need to purchase extra pump in most cases.

[Tom Berry]

tanglovers,

an external (recirculating) skimmer can be run in your sump, and is not much harder to set up at all. An inexpensive feed pump, like the Eheim Compact 1000, is the only extra thing you'll need. Recirculating skimmers are more efficient, and I would definitely go with one.

I would add H&S to your list to consider. I got one (A150 external, equivalent to the Deltec APF600, but $150 cheaper) recently, and am very happy with it.

They use the same pumps as Deltec, and are very similar in quality and costruction.

Tom

[Aquatic Image]

I agree with Tom. I dont think the externals are any harder to tune/adjust than internals are. Also just as Tom mentions you can run the recirc. designs in or out of sump. The choice is yours. The recirc. designs are also going to be more adjustable than in sump. You can adjust flow into, water height and air. In sump you are not going to be able to adjust the flow into the skimmer.

[G.Alexander]

If you decide for a external you also should think about overflowing or a skimmer / pipe leak. I put mine in a small tank with a backup pipe to the sump if this happens.

G.Alexander

[gqjeff]

G. Alexander good idea.. I had a sill break loose and had about 25 gallons of water spill into my stand before I noticed it.. Good thing I tiled the area where the tank was...

[moonpod]

Love my skimmers external. That being said--G. Alexander brings up a good point--plumb it very, very securely or have some sort of leak safety.

[tanglovers]

Going BK!

Hi All,

Well after doing more reading I think we are going to go Bubble King. Big question now though is still the external/internal.

Are the external BK skimmers recirculating?

With established ZEOvit tanks is there alot of grime in the sumps? Our current setup was a DSB and we had alot of gunk buildup in the sump. Our new setup will be a shallow sand bed (1/2" or so) so was wondering if this would drastically reduce this grime buildup. I was considering filter bags on the drain tubes from the overflow but do not think I want to do this as I do not want to increase my daily/weekly maintenance more then it already is.

When looking at only BK skimmers, do most of you prefer internal or external? With our space restrictions an internal would work much better but if the maintenance is alot more additional I would consider the external.

Advice/Suggestions/Opinions are appreciated.

[moonpod]

external BK is recirculating.

Am on the waitlist so cannot give too many specific details, but the "footprint" I believe is listed on the captiveoceans website.

I dunno "maintenance" is such an issue with in/external. Personally I find external easier for maintenance b/c you have better access to the skimmer, but to each their own.

Realistically the BK is putatively so badass in/external is a matter of what's easier for your setup.

[Orion76]

I prefer internal because sooner or later a skimmer will overflow (when I adjust it that will happen sooner than later ) and it's not a good thing when your sump is drained when you're not home for the weekend.

Alexander's idea of putting the external in its own tank is a good idea though but then you might as well use an internal if you have the sump space and save on the extra pump needed for an external.

[Klaus Jansen]

it is possible, running the externals BK none driver-pump. This BK-User with this 400 external, connected the outless-pipe direct from aquarium to the RD-BK-pump. The skimmer is running in the basement of house.

best regards.. Klaus

[tonkadawg]

one of the things I have noticed with my internal ER skimmer is that the skimmer is heavily dependant on the water level in the sump. If the water level drops too much, the skimmer basically stops skimming. I don't think external skimmers would have this problem right? Just as long as there is enough water in the sump to keep the pumps from running dry, it will still skim properly?

[Orion76]

If you use an internal skimmer you must have it in a compartment where the water level does not vary or you'll have all sorts of trouble.

[tonkadawg]

If you use an internal skimmer you must have it in a compartment where the water level does not vary or you'll have all sorts of trouble.

any ideas or examples on how to accomplish this? I have three baffles in my sump, but that is it.

[tonkadawg]

I guess the easiest way is to add another short baffle and stick the skimmer pump in that - any suggestion how to add another baffle to an existing sump without draining it?