Overflow feeding skimmer

mission man · 08/31/2006, 01:22 AM

I am setting up a 180 gallon with 2 built in corner overflows. I have a RPS 3000 recirculating skimmer. (I think the skimmer would handle about 400 gph) I believe the bulkheads in the bottom of the overflows are 1 1/2". I was thinking of running 1 to the skimmer and 1 to the sump.

1. Would this be too much flow, if I used 1 overflow to feed the skimmer?
2. Is it ok to reduce the pipe size down from the overflow small enough to connect to the skimmer? (Im not sure what size the barb is coming out of the skimmer)
This is just a thought right now, but I am interested if this is possible with this setup. Thanks for any insight

sjm817 · 08/31/2006, 05:26 AM

Set it up like this (not my diagram). Feed it off one overflow, and set up a bypass like shown. You want the bypass to adjust the flow rate and it also forces the air coming down the drain to the bypass side.

rustypixel · 08/31/2006, 05:45 AM

This is actually something I've been thinking about doing and have not really had anyone explain how it works. Thanks for the drawing as it shows what I need to do. My only question is does the skimmer intake hole size need to be made bigger or can it be left alone and just reduce pipe size from the overflow to the skimmer?

Thanks

sjm817 · 08/31/2006, 06:00 AM

Leave the hole normal size. The idea is to have back pressure on the skimmer feed to force the big air bubbles to go out the bypass side.

MichaelFreedman · 08/31/2006, 08:24 AM

I just plumbed my Deltec Skimmer this way. It works MINT. I did however force the water to go back uphill after the skimmer before it gets into the sump. That way the water sill never bypass the skimmer. The skimmer uses a 1/2" inlet. There are a few pics here ....

http://bostonreefers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=30997

Mike

mission man · 08/31/2006, 12:24 PM

So i would run my drain from the overflow with 1 1/2, then tee it off. Off the tee put a valve, then after the valve reduce the pipe to fit on the skimmer. I forgot, would a ball or gate valve be better?

08/31/2006, 01:22 AM	#1
mission man Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 216	Overflow feeding skimmer I am setting up a 180 gallon with 2 built in corner overflows. I have a RPS 3000 recirculating skimmer. (I think the skimmer would handle about 400 gph) I believe the bulkheads in the bottom of the overflows are 1 1/2". I was thinking of running 1 to the skimmer and 1 to the sump. 1. Would this be too much flow, if I used 1 overflow to feed the skimmer? 2. Is it ok to reduce the pipe size down from the overflow small enough to connect to the skimmer? (Im not sure what size the barb is coming out of the skimmer) This is just a thought right now, but I am interested if this is possible with this setup. Thanks for any insight

08/31/2006, 05:26 AM	#2
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	Set it up like this (not my diagram). Feed it off one overflow, and set up a bypass like shown. You want the bypass to adjust the flow rate and it also forces the air coming down the drain to the bypass side. __________________ - Scott

08/31/2006, 05:45 AM	#3
rustypixel Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Northeast, USA Posts: 154	This is actually something I've been thinking about doing and have not really had anyone explain how it works. Thanks for the drawing as it shows what I need to do. My only question is does the skimmer intake hole size need to be made bigger or can it be left alone and just reduce pipe size from the overflow to the skimmer? Thanks __________________ Out of my mind and out of control! Current Tank Info: 20 Gal nano

08/31/2006, 06:00 AM	#4
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	Leave the hole normal size. The idea is to have back pressure on the skimmer feed to force the big air bubbles to go out the bypass side. __________________ - Scott

08/31/2006, 08:24 AM	#5
MichaelFreedman Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Stow, ma Posts: 6	I just plumbed my Deltec Skimmer this way. It works MINT. I did however force the water to go back uphill after the skimmer before it gets into the sump. That way the water sill never bypass the skimmer. The skimmer uses a 1/2" inlet. There are a few pics here .... http://bostonreefers.org/forums/showthread.php?t=30997 Mike

08/31/2006, 12:24 PM	#6
mission man Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Michigan Posts: 216	So i would run my drain from the overflow with 1 1/2, then tee it off. Off the tee put a valve, then after the valve reduce the pipe to fit on the skimmer. I forgot, would a ball or gate valve be better?