Avast Question

[YHSublime]

Simple question, wanted to get some input, maybe Dan or Justin will actually know:

 

I have an avast cs1 recirc on a 150 gallon tank.

The CS1 is rated for 50-200gallon tanks.

 

If I were to get a CS3 (yes, I'm looking into it with the booty buy) then would that be overkill, or completely worth it?

CS3 is rated for 300-500gallons.

 

I would say it's worth it IMO, because it offers me skimming for double my tank, however, am I missing anything, like maybe a smaller skimmer would perform better instead of putting a larger skimmer on a smaller tank?

[Origami]

Once you've skimmed out all there is that can be skimmed out, you can't skim any more theoretically. (And there's apparently a lot of stuff that does not skim out well.) If the bioload is sufficiently large and you've got a lot of skimmable organics being added to the system, then a larger skimmer may be worth it. But, there is a point of diminishing returns where you're really not skimming out more but are paying more to operate the larger skimmer. Is a CS1 adequate for your tank? Maybe. I don't have experience with that one. Rob's the one that I'd want to hear from since he's got a lot of commercial installations using their skimmers. Is the CS3 going to be a good value with the Booty Buy? You bet. I'm counting on us reaching that 25% off mark and that's some serious savings.

[YHSublime]

Once you've skimmed out all there is that can be skimmed out, you can't skim any more theoretically. (And there's apparently a lot of stuff that does not skim out well.) If the bioload is sufficiently large and you've got a lot of skimmable organics being added to the system, then a larger skimmer may be worth it.

 

I want to feed heavy, so my opinion is yes.

 

 

Rob's the one that I'd want to hear from since he's got a lot of commercial installations using their skimmers.

 

One step ahead of you, I didn't ask this question specifically, but I think the answer I'll get is "yes."

 

 

 Is the CS3 going to be a good value with the Booty Buy? You bet. I'm counting on us reaching that 25% off mark and that's some serious savings.

 

My pocketbook has been so light ever since I started this hobby. But what great savings!

[howaboutme]

Let me help you rephrase your question:

 

"I want to spend X amount of money on this skimmer whether I need it or not because it makes me feel good. Do you agree?"

 

I say YES and do it! This is a hobby and you spend whatever you want or can afford. If it gives you a tickle, it's all worth it.

[Der ABT]

id love to hear robs opinion as well, im runnign a cs1 recirc on my 156, probalby like 170ish gal total right now but may also plumb in the other tanks which would bring the volume up over 200...i think it will be fine but have been tempted to start looking at bigger skimmers vs running 2 skimmers (since i have an old asm g3 and could make room to run both)

[YHSublime]

Let me help you rephrase your question:

 

"I want to spend X amount of money on this skimmer whether I need it or not because it makes me feel good. Do you agree?"

 

I say YES and do it! This is a hobby and you spend whatever you want or can afford. If it gives you a tickle, it's all worth it.

 

I disagree.

 

Let me rephrase that:

"I want to spend X amount of money on this skimmer if it will allow me to feed heavier without having to monitor rations closely, handle my bioload better, and overall keep my water cleaner, because the end game is less maintenance."

 

I say yes as well, but for the above reason. That and an 25% off won't happen again any time soon, why not get it now and reap the benefits?

 

id love to hear robs opinion as well, im runnign a cs1 recirc on my 156, probalby like 170ish gal total right now but may also plumb in the other tanks which would bring the volume up over 200...i think it will be fine but have been tempted to start looking at bigger skimmers vs running 2 skimmers (since i have an old asm g3 and could make room to run both)

 

I would PM him, but I'm sure he'll come along tonight with some opinions, I'll standby.

 

That being said, let me give some information on what I'm running. A medium sized coral load, a heavy fish load, with heavy feeding. Is the CS1 up for the job, or would the CS3 outperform on every level?

[YHSublime]

I also want to know if I can add the Recirculation Upgrade Kit to the CS3.

[zygote2k]

Here's my take on that skimmer- for the money you won't find anything that comes close. The pumps have been reliable- out of nearly 20 of them in use, I've only lost 2 pumps and one was due to no water issue. I've only ever had to replace 1 impeller.

By using such a large skimmer on a "small" tank, you can now feed the fish the way they really need to be fed without worrying about increased nitrates.

Another note of interest is that I don't believe in the air muffler concept- loud pipes save lives. If you can't hear your skimmer pulling like a giant TM, then you can't believe it's working properly. If you're concerned about the noise, you can always vent it to the outside or into a wall. I like to hear my skimmer- it's like white noise at night.

All skimmers worth anything need to pull in lots of air and it's one of the noises that comes with a tank. I can still hear the MP40...

[AlanM]

Here's another cs3 question. If I have a cs1 with sicce 1000 on it, would I be able to reuse it and only buy a single pump for the cs3?

[YHSublime]

Here's another cs3 question. If I have a cs1 with sicce 1000 on it, would I be able to reuse it and only buy a single pump for the cs3?

If course.

 

Rob, many thanks in the review

[DaveS]

Man, you guys are making think more and more about upgrading my ASM G3 to CS3.... Not sure I need it but..

 

I'm not crazy about going with a 2 pump skimmer but it is tempting...

[Origami]

Man, you guys are making think more and more about upgrading my ASM G3 to CS3.... Not sure I need it but..

 

I'm not crazy about going with a 2 pump skimmer but it is tempting...

I like having a second pump - especially when one dies, because there's a built in backup that provides performance that degrades somewhat gracefully.

[YHSublime]

My decision is made. CS3 is the choice for me. Plus if I ever go bigger, I'm ready.

[smallreef]

Awesome! I cannot wait to see that on your tank!

[zygote2k]

If one pump stops on the CS3, it will still function if you adjust the output valve. OR if you are worried about excess foaming when you use red slime remover....

[Sharkey18]

Wow. Now I'm convinced too!

 

 

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[YHSublime]

Wow. Now I'm convinced too!

 

 

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It's doing a heck of a job on my 150. Let me know when you want to stop on by and check it out!

[Sharkey18]

Are you around this afternoon /evening?

 

 

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[YHSublime]

Are you around this afternoon /evening?

 

 

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I'll be home this evening after COB. I'll send ya a text.

[Sharkey18]

Awesome

 

 

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[CaptainRon]

I'd like to see that beast in action too.

 

I think I could use more skimming - I have a CS1 on my system now. 200 gallon tank, 45 gallon frag tank and a 75 gallon sump. I'd guess I have somewhere in the neighborhood of 250 gallons of water in the system. I think my biggest problem will be trying to shoe-horn it into my skimmer section - I might have made it a little too small.

[YHSublime]

I'd like to see that beast in action too.

 

I think I could use more skimming - I have a CS1 on my system now. 200 gallon tank, 45 gallon frag tank and a 75 gallon sump. I'd guess I have somewhere in the neighborhood of 250 gallons of water in the system. I think my biggest problem will be trying to shoe-horn it into my skimmer section - I might have made it a little too small.

 

Always welcome to stop by. I will try and take some videos for those interested as well. I had to make a few modifications to make it fit, but nothing that increases or decreases performance.