Skimmer Question. Is this completely rediculous?

[Domboski]

This may be a strange question but I have been thinking of weird ways to improve my nutrient export as I want to experiment with aggressive nutrient import. One of my marine tanks is a 72 gallon bow front. I currently have an ASM G3 skimmer that works great. It fits perfectly under the tank within the stand. I love this model of skimmer so much I changed all of my tanks to use ASM models.

Now for the question: If I want to become more aggressive with nutrient import, is it feasible to use two skimmers so I can keep the skimmers under the tank vs. getting a larger skimmer that will need to be external? What I am thinking is my sump has three compartments, the first is where the current ASM is, the second compartment is empty and the third is where I have my return and PO4 reactors. I can fit another G3 in the last compartment with some modification to the sump and the skimmer return can be run into the middle compartment via the gate valve mod.

Is this insane?

 

[NYreefNoob]

just get a bigger skimmer, go with a euro reef rs 180 or the rs 135. i had the asm 3 and no comparison to my euro reef rs 135

 

[Domboski]

Thanks. The RS180 would be an awesome option but finding one used seems to be tough.

 

[NYreefNoob]

check rc, was a few larger asm with recirc. how much room do you have ?

 

[NYreefNoob]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1320828

 

[Domboski]

Thanks for the link. I have about 28" under the stand so that skimmer is a bit too big although I cut one down 2" for another tank and it worked great but I don't think I want to do that again if I don't have to. I'll keep my eye open for the RS180.

Thanks again for your help! I think your idea is a much better option.

 

[Domboski]

Quick Update:

After the posts on this thread and talking to some other folks, I decided to gravity feed my G3 and modify it with the recirc mod. So far it is skimming much better. Hopefully after another water change I'll be able to tell if the modifications helped keep the phosphates down. I also bought another G3 and was running both at once but that didn't seem to be working too well.

Thanks for all of the help!