Looking for MODS for Skimmer

[camaroracer214]

I just ordered an Octopus DNW-150 Recirculating skimmer for my 90 reef and I was looking for some good mods. Let me know what you have. Also, what would be a good feed pump? The manufacturer suggests to run 1.5 times the tank volume through the skimmer (which would be ~160-180 gph). Do you think it would improver skimmer performance if I fed the skimmer with a needle wheel pump that will chop up some bubble before the water even gets to the skimmer?

BTW, the reason I chose this skimmer was due to the space limitations I have and the fact that the skimmer was less than $300. I would have loved to get my hands on a Deltec or EuroReef, but those are so dang expensive.

 

[Unarce]

Not that I'm a skimmer expert or anything, but I might see it being more of a hindrance than an improvement if another needle wheel pump was used for the feed. What's available that'll give you 160-180gph?

Recirculating skimmers are cool, but most designs seem to create too much turbulence for it to be a real benefit. I think a feed pump pushing in even more bubbles will just add to that, making it harder for proteins to stay attached.

 

[trido]

For the octopus skimmers you can do the mesh wheel mod and a venturi mod. For a feed pump, use a small eheim or even a MJ600. Better yet, save electrity and hook it straight up to your overflow.