Disadvantages to tight skimmer chamber?

gwubsmuzix · 02/10/2016, 06:46 PM

Still working on my plans for my 120,

Is there any downside to having the smallest skimmer chamber that could fit your skimmer? The biggest size standard tank i can fit in my stand now is a 29 and that does not leave much room for my 15 inch footprint skimmer i already purchased.

Will it not skim as effectively?

What would you recommend for the small size of a skimmer chamber for a skimmer that is 15.6" x 10.25" footprint.

rogeragrimes · 02/10/2016, 06:55 PM

I used to have that situation in my old sump, and it caused problems for me while trying to dial-in the skimmer. The low volume meant the skimmer often sucked up the water and caused that chamber to dry out. Caused me numerous problems, so much so I actually removed the skimmer until I got a bigger sump.

DrPheel · 02/10/2016, 06:59 PM

you will want the chamber to be big enough so you can take the skimmer out for cleaning. If your baffle are too high / tight around it, you wont be able to remove the skimmer from under your stand, assuming it is under the tank. If the chamber is tight around the skimmer your only way to take it out is to rise it vertically as you will not be able to tilt it and depending on the height you may not be able to move it. Before you do baffles in the sump , mark everything up and set it up where it will be and try to move stuff around as you would for regular maintenance. It will give you a better idea on what you will need to plan for

TimeConsumer · 02/10/2016, 07:01 PM

1) If your pump intake is too close to a baffle you will restrict flow and put the skimmer out of whack. A couple of inches of room is plenty.
2) It's a lot harder to do maintenance or troubleshooting if the skimmer is too tight a fit. Sometimes all you need to do is remove the pump, but if you have to drain the sump and remove it to pull out the skimmer it'll be a pain. Keep an eye on the layout for this.
3) Sometimes you want to add extra equipment to the chamber like an ATS, reactor pump, or filter sock.

You might as well go with a 20 long, a taller sump isn't necessarily a good thing when working in the tight confines of a stand. A little extra room above is very helpful, especially if you're trying to pull the skimmer out without removing the sump.

boshk · 02/11/2016, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwubsmuzix

Still working on my plans for my 120,

Is there any downside to having the smallest skimmer chamber that could fit your skimmer? The biggest size standard tank i can fit in my stand now is a 29 and that does not leave much room for my 15 inch footprint skimmer i already purchased.

Will it not skim as effectively?

What would you recommend for the small size of a skimmer chamber for a skimmer that is 15.6" x 10.25" footprint.

Well I think you post threw a spanner in my planning haha.
Your question got me thinking too....

I was thinking of a Bubble Magus Curve 5, 7.28"x7.08"x18" for my Reefer Nano which has a sump with skimmer chamber sized 9.4x8.3

gwubsmuzix · 02/11/2016, 12:50 AM

Okay i think i might go 20L instead so i can remove the skimmer if i needed. other than that, will a 1-2 inch leeway be enough or would i need 5? meaning i would need a 13x20 area just for the skimmer in my 13x30 sump

02/10/2016, 06:46 PM	#1
gwubsmuzix Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: San Francisco Posts: 212	Disadvantages to tight skimmer chamber? Still working on my plans for my 120, Is there any downside to having the smallest skimmer chamber that could fit your skimmer? The biggest size standard tank i can fit in my stand now is a 29 and that does not leave much room for my 15 inch footprint skimmer i already purchased. Will it not skim as effectively? What would you recommend for the small size of a skimmer chamber for a skimmer that is 15.6" x 10.25" footprint.

02/10/2016, 06:59 PM	#3
DrPheel Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 161	you will want the chamber to be big enough so you can take the skimmer out for cleaning. If your baffle are too high / tight around it, you wont be able to remove the skimmer from under your stand, assuming it is under the tank. If the chamber is tight around the skimmer your only way to take it out is to rise it vertically as you will not be able to tilt it and depending on the height you may not be able to move it. Before you do baffles in the sump , mark everything up and set it up where it will be and try to move stuff around as you would for regular maintenance. It will give you a better idea on what you will need to plan for __________________ Dr's 70G Rimless Cube Build Thread : ==> http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2511564 <==

02/10/2016, 07:01 PM	#4
TimeConsumer Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: New Orleans, La Posts: 1,919	1) If your pump intake is too close to a baffle you will restrict flow and put the skimmer out of whack. A couple of inches of room is plenty. 2) It's a lot harder to do maintenance or troubleshooting if the skimmer is too tight a fit. Sometimes all you need to do is remove the pump, but if you have to drain the sump and remove it to pull out the skimmer it'll be a pain. Keep an eye on the layout for this. 3) Sometimes you want to add extra equipment to the chamber like an ATS, reactor pump, or filter sock. You might as well go with a 20 long, a taller sump isn't necessarily a good thing when working in the tight confines of a stand. A little extra room above is very helpful, especially if you're trying to pull the skimmer out without removing the sump. __________________ Steve - Retired from reefing, for now.

02/10/2016, 06:55 PM	#2
rogeragrimes Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Key Largo, FL Posts: 184	I used to have that situation in my old sump, and it caused problems for me while trying to dial-in the skimmer. The low volume meant the skimmer often sucked up the water and caused that chamber to dry out. Caused me numerous problems, so much so I actually removed the skimmer until I got a bigger sump.

02/11/2016, 12:50 AM	#6
gwubsmuzix Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: San Francisco Posts: 212	Okay i think i might go 20L instead so i can remove the skimmer if i needed. other than that, will a 1-2 inch leeway be enough or would i need 5? meaning i would need a 13x20 area just for the skimmer in my 13x30 sump