Powering skimmer with overflows?

yellowtruck75 · 10/28/2007, 07:47 AM

I am setting up a new 120 with dual overflows and was wondering if I can power my MRC2 skimmer with the overflows? The overflows have 1" drains in them and the skimmer will be in the basement under the tank. Currently I am using a Gen-X 55 to power my skimmer, pump is rated 1200GPH.

Thanks

Tennsquire · 10/28/2007, 02:51 PM

I think the key to becket skimmers are high pressure pumps, and I don't know if your overflow(s) can provide the same type of pressure and volume needed for your skimmer. Have you asked the MRC folks?

jcarson999 · 10/29/2007, 08:34 AM

I don't think the overflows will provide enough pressure. Even if your total drain (2 overflows) is 1200gph (600gph each), you'll need to downsize the lines to input to the skimmer and you won't maintain 1200gph.

-jim

ReefWreak · 10/29/2007, 09:16 AM

There is NO way that you'd be able to pull that off. As it has been said before, there is definitely not enough pressure from gravity coming down to pull water and air through a beckett injector. You can T off your return pump into the intake of your skimmer if you've got a return pump powerful enough, but even then it might not be strong enough. The only way to effectivly utilize the overflow water coming down is by plumbing it into a recirculating skimmer where that water is recirculated through the skimmer and then drained, however there might be too much flow coming from your overflow, unless you Td off your overflow for the skimmer.

yellowtruck75 · 10/29/2007, 03:29 PM

well it was just a thought, I will just run the skimmer how it is right now on my 125

Thanks

10/28/2007, 07:47 AM	#1
yellowtruck75 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: WATSONTOWN PA Posts: 2,171	Powering skimmer with overflows? I am setting up a new 120 with dual overflows and was wondering if I can power my MRC2 skimmer with the overflows? The overflows have 1" drains in them and the skimmer will be in the basement under the tank. Currently I am using a Gen-X 55 to power my skimmer, pump is rated 1200GPH. Thanks

10/28/2007, 02:51 PM	#2
Tennsquire Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 1,399	I think the key to becket skimmers are high pressure pumps, and I don't know if your overflow(s) can provide the same type of pressure and volume needed for your skimmer. Have you asked the MRC folks? __________________ Nothin' left to do but smile, smile, smile.... Current Tank Info: 75 reef (2x 250 ReefOptix IIIs, AB 10k bulbs w/ 330 watt VHO, EuroReef RC135 skimmer, multicontrolled Tunze 6095's X2); 40 sps prop tank (Outer Orbit Pro 150, Euroreef CS6-1+ skimmer); 20 softie prop tank

10/29/2007, 08:34 AM	#3
jcarson999 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Wixom, MI Posts: 81	I don't think the overflows will provide enough pressure. Even if your total drain (2 overflows) is 1200gph (600gph each), you'll need to downsize the lines to input to the skimmer and you won't maintain 1200gph. -jim

10/29/2007, 09:16 AM	#4
ReefWreak Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Astoria, NYC Posts: 10,159	There is NO way that you'd be able to pull that off. As it has been said before, there is definitely not enough pressure from gravity coming down to pull water and air through a beckett injector. You can T off your return pump into the intake of your skimmer if you've got a return pump powerful enough, but even then it might not be strong enough. The only way to effectivly utilize the overflow water coming down is by plumbing it into a recirculating skimmer where that water is recirculated through the skimmer and then drained, however there might be too much flow coming from your overflow, unless you Td off your overflow for the skimmer.

10/29/2007, 03:29 PM	#5
yellowtruck75 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: WATSONTOWN PA Posts: 2,171	well it was just a thought, I will just run the skimmer how it is right now on my 125 Thanks