Royal Exclusive 200 - Will it fit?

I'm considering purchasing a Royal Exclusive Alpha 200. I'm thinking about putting this in an ADHI 60 in a Marineland cabinet.

Couple of questions:
1. The cabinet height is only 25", and the skimmer alone is 23". If I place it underneath the cabinet, how much clearance will I need to remove/clean the collection cup?

2. Obviously I won't have room to elevate it in the sump because it would be too high, will I have a problem with the operating depth of the unit in my sump?

Thanks for any insight!

 

I'm pretty sure 2" is plenty to remove cup. Usually 1" is enough for most. It will be tight though. The problem is that the water level will have to be exact what it will need since you won't have any room to move.

Let me ask you this.... Why RE 200? You have a bit over 200 right? The Vertex cones sort of have a wide neck for the body. It is a 8" base which is sort of small. Not saying it can't do a 200g, it's more about balance. There are other cheaper options.... but if you are willing to lay down the cash for a RE.... why not go ATB? Simply the best cone out there right now. Same Laguna based pump as RE. 10" base, excellent customer service. IT does not really compare with the 200, more with the 250. To get the AirStar pump... which you want on your tank over the Sicce...it's $1200. It is also 21.5 inches tall.

 

Well, I guess the skimmer is one thing I've read everywhere that everyone says not to skimp on. I don't mind spending the money to do it right the first time.

Are you referring to the ATB Medium Cone Skimmer?
Size: 16Lx10.25Wx21.5H
Base Diameter 10.25
Pump: AirStar 1300
Max Air 1300L/hr ***
Power Consumption 54 watts
Tank rating: up to 480 gallons.
Price 1399

 

Ya that's it. Now I don't mean to throw a wrench in your plans and run you off on my personal tangent. Ask the same question over on RC and you will probably get the same answer. Between RE and ATB, I would go ATB. Same pump, same great build quality, however the ATBs are just better balanced.... hands down.

I think the Sicce that comes with it is too small for a 220g. But it is good for the bottom end of the range of the 10.5. The AirStar is where you want to be. Same as the Askoll, Red Dragon, and same size of the Bubble Blaster 5000 Octo is using. You are getting in the 100 scfh area. Even at that.... the Red Dragon on the smaller 200 body.... meh...The 250 is closer to the range you want to be in. Comparably it is like putting a Air Star on the smaller ATB 840. It runs well with the Sicce.

And no... you are not skimping with the RE.... it would be a good thing on it's own, damn nice skimmer.... but compared to an ATB in the same price range....that's different.

 

Sounds good, I'll see what the guys at ATB suggest. I posted on RC as well, and someone posted that they have to run theirs at a depth of right at 8.5. I have concerns about not having enough height to adjust in my cabinet.

I like the smaller height of the ATB.

Everything I look at is wrenches right now, so I appreciate the suggestion. I'll research some more. It's hard figuring all this out just by reading numbers online when I have no experience in the hobby!