Advice on getting a better skimmer

For the most bang for your dollar you can beat an octo or gsm.

 

What is your budget for the new skimmer? What size is your tank? What kind of bio-load do you have? Answers to those questions will help you get more specific suggestions.

Anna

 

For hang on the back skimmers, my deltec mce600 seems to do a really good job, but it's a little pricey (about $350 for a used one). I've also had good luck with the aqua c remora ( I use it on a 20g). On a 45 gallon it would be pushing it, unless you weren't going to do a low nutrient sps setup, then it would probably be ok. For in-sump, my octopus nw200 does good, but you have to have it in a constant water level, and adjust the riser tube every now and then.

 

I don't think you can go too big (but I could be wrong) as long as you have the space for it. I would think that would be a good size for your tank.

 

I think skimmers in the sump are better, but you need at least one divider in the sump so the water level doesnt change. Its a real nightmare to get consistent output for a skimmer in a sump without a constant level

and you cant go too big for skimmers. Better too big than too small.

 

With skimmers you tend to get what you pay for!
You must decide on the amount you are willing to pay for a skimmer, then you can do your R/D on the skimmers in that price range.
In sump skimmers will save you the over flow troubles, but like its been said earlier you must set the sump up so the water level stays constant. (for the skimmer itself)
As for the size of the skimmer, Bigger is better to a point!
If you have 80g system now then I would look at a skimmer that was rated for 150 to 200g. The reason I say this (and this is is just my opinion!) if your like the rest of us, in the back your mind
you would love to have a bigger tank. So if its in the budget go a little bigger and get one that will handle a bigger tank, and you wont be shorting your self on your 80g setup either..
As for what style of skimmer, I would look into the new recirculating needle wheel setups.
One thing a lot of people over look is that the skimmer is important, but its the pump that makes the skimmer what it is! You can take a not so good skimmer and upgrade the pump and make the skimmer perform to a lot higher level. ( Again this is just my opinion, and what I've experienced over the years.) 
Here are a few that I would buy for my self if I were in the market.
My 1st pick: http://www.marinesolutionsinc.com/c..._info.html
http://www.aquacave.com/reef-octopu...r-984.html
http://www.aquacave.com/rps-135-rec...-2063.html
Hope this helps, and good luck!

 

What was your decision?

 

I would go with the 150, I don't think the 110 will fit inside your sump either! If your sump is 11" and the skimmer is 11" you'd have to shave some off of the bottom plate.

to make it fit and give some clearance so it doesn't vibrate against the glass.

So get the 150 and set it out side the sump, hang it on the front or the right hand side of the sump. If the outlet is not hight enough make a small platform for it to sit on.

Run a small pump to it and run the drain to the left side of the sump, not much to it. You don't need a big pump to feed water to the skimmer because the recirculating pump does all the work, just a small power head should work!

As for adjusting the water level, it should be adjusted the same as your old skimmer.
Good luck, Post some pics once you get it up and running!