Anyone using skimmer from return T off?

mschriskim · 06/01/2006, 12:46 AM

I have 100gallon (60" long with 2 overflow on each cornert) main tank + 50gallon frag tank connected with 1 return.
Return pump is about 1200gph with 100W.

My sump is like following link left side refugium and right side skimmer section than middle is return (using ball valve I put low flow to refugium than skimmer section).
My lifereef skimmer sitting outside using mag12 (Mag12 is inside sump)http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/s...p_model_g.html

I want to increase return little more but already skimmer pump is 110W so adding another bigger return will be min over 130W... so I am thinking maybe I should use Dart pump which is 160W for 3200gph for both return and skimmer... this will reduce energy usage and heat to tank.

Question is if I have seperated pump for skimmer than all water comming in to skimmer section go to skimmer and gets out but if I run return T for skimmer than some will not get skimmed and to return... but overall itn't it same?

I know some are using return to feed skimmer.. any taught?

hawk66 · 08/12/2006, 01:07 AM

Did you ever try this?. I have extra flow from my Dart that I am just re-circulating back into the sump and was thinking of using it to feed the skimmer.

iamquockie · 08/12/2006, 09:45 PM

i am. have 60 gal tall with 30 gal sump with a mag12 for a return pump. I t'd off the return to a DIY skimmer with ball valve for water control. I'd say it works pretty well---pretty easy to control how much water you want to flow to skimmer/tank----I just did this so I could get away from having 3 pumps in my whole system. I also run a mag 7 for closed loop system.

06/01/2006, 12:46 AM	#1
mschriskim Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 352	Anyone using skimmer from return T off? I have 100gallon (60" long with 2 overflow on each cornert) main tank + 50gallon frag tank connected with 1 return. Return pump is about 1200gph with 100W. My sump is like following link left side refugium and right side skimmer section than middle is return (using ball valve I put low flow to refugium than skimmer section). My lifereef skimmer sitting outside using mag12 (Mag12 is inside sump)http://www.melevsreef.com/acrylics/s...p_model_g.html I want to increase return little more but already skimmer pump is 110W so adding another bigger return will be min over 130W... so I am thinking maybe I should use Dart pump which is 160W for 3200gph for both return and skimmer... this will reduce energy usage and heat to tank. Question is if I have seperated pump for skimmer than all water comming in to skimmer section go to skimmer and gets out but if I run return T for skimmer than some will not get skimmed and to return... but overall itn't it same? I know some are using return to feed skimmer.. any taught?

08/12/2006, 01:07 AM	#2
hawk66 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Terrace B.C Canada Posts: 208	Did you ever try this?. I have extra flow from my Dart that I am just re-circulating back into the sump and was thinking of using it to feed the skimmer.

08/12/2006, 09:45 PM	#3
iamquockie Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: dfw Posts: 276	i am. have 60 gal tall with 30 gal sump with a mag12 for a return pump. I t'd off the return to a DIY skimmer with ball valve for water control. I'd say it works pretty well---pretty easy to control how much water you want to flow to skimmer/tank----I just did this so I could get away from having 3 pumps in my whole system. I also run a mag 7 for closed loop system.