need a protein skimmer

[netminder34]

I have a 125 gallon with a wet dry filter, 2 mag drive 500 pumps one runs my 25 watt uv do I use the other pump for the skimmer? I need a good in sump skimmer that is not too tall, total clearance is 23''

[AquariumPro]

Hi:

All good in-sump skimmers come with their own pump, so you may want to use the spare Mag Drive as a mixing and filling pump for water changes.

As far as skimmers go, the Excalibur SV1 would work quite well for your application. Click on this link: Excalibur SV1 (http://www.aquariumpros.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=APG&Product_Code=ADASV1&Category_Code=SKis)

Another good one that will work with your height limitation is the CPR SR2: Click on this link: CPR SR2 (http://www.aquariumpros.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=APG&Product_Code=CPRSR2&Category_Code=SKis)

[netminder34]

so I run one mag drive into the uv, don't use the other one,and run the protein skimmer?

[AquariumPro]

Yes.

As you get deeper into this, you'll find that the "spare" Mag Drive Pump will come in very handy for mixing saltwater and pumping it back into your aquarium. You will definitely use that pump, just not for your protein skimmer.

[netminder34]

pump the water back in? maybe I've been doing my water changes wrong can you tell me how you do yours

[AquariumPro]

We maintain more than 400 aquariums for our clients, mostly saltwater. For a 125 gallon tank, we do 25% water changes every four weeks. We mix up 30 gallons of water and salt in a big dedicated trashcan (on a five wheel dolly) using Mag Drive pumps to mix the water while we do the rest of the tasks (clean algae, filter media, vacuum substrate, etc.), then we use the same pump to fill the tank with the new saltwater.

At home, you would vary from this technique by pre-mixing your water 24 hours in advance. The Mag Drive will come in handy for this.

[MJC]

There's no right way or wrong way, per se, just as long as you perform your water changes on a regularly scheduled basis.

Some people prefer to refill the tank by pumping water or using small containers to scoop water into the tank. Others will refill into the sump or plumb a valve into their return line for connecting a hose.

Much like adding water, removing water can be done in several methods. A majority of folks remove via vacuuming the substrate, but if the substrate is too fine, e.g., sand or oolith, or you have a fully stocked reef tank, you could just siphon water off the top of the tank, out of the sump or you can plumb the overflow with a diverter valve to connect a a hose for removing water.

Hope this helps,

Marty