can i use a hang on skimmer in sump ?

ramtmac · 05/23/2010, 05:44 PM

I just recently bought a Eshopps PSK-75H and now i have decided to set up a sump. Can i still use this skimmer or do i need to buy a new in sump skimmer ?

troyman · 05/23/2010, 05:46 PM

sure you can as long it hangs on side of it and inlet pipe long enough

ramtmac · 05/23/2010, 05:52 PM

If the inlet pipe isn't long enough is it possible to make it longer?
I got a 15 gallon sump the other day but i think the skimmer is to tall for it and it would sit on the ground

troyman · 05/24/2010, 04:58 AM

yes get a piece of the plastic hose that would fit on the intake tube and just extend it the hardware stores sells the clear tubbing by the foot

Palting · 05/24/2010, 06:03 AM

If you get a longer inlet tubing to let your pump go deeper, it also means your pump will have a higher head pressure to go against. Worst case scenario is that you nay have to get a bigger pump if the flow controls can't compensate.

sedor · 05/24/2010, 06:23 AM

The pump might have a tough time pulling water from down low in the sump. When the skimmer is hanging on the tank, the pump is roughly level with the water, in a sump where your water level is only 8" or so it would have to pull that water up and i'm assuming it would seriously effect performance. Not to mention, a true in-sump skimmer will knock a HOB skimmer out of the water in terms of performance. Your really not taking advantage of having a sump by using a HOB. My advice would be to sell the HOB and get a quality in-sump skimmer, it will make a world of difference.

RocketEngineer · 05/24/2010, 06:35 AM

ramtmac,
I did exactly that on my 30g but I needed two small changes to make it work:
1) I put a plastic container into the sump to raise the water level to where it would be normally for the skimmer to pull from. The drain line goes into this container which also has the skimmer pump and skimmer drain line in it. The water then overflows the container into the rest of the sump. Has worked quite well for the last two years.
2) I had to raise up my sump on a 2X4 frame to make it high enough for the skimmer to hang on the sump and not sit on the bottom of the stand. If the sump is tall enough you don't need this.

Hope that helps.

RocketEngineer

mr.maroonsalty · 05/24/2010, 08:45 AM

the problem is with fluctuating water level, if you raise the water level to the top with a divider and the skimmer hangs the way it should on the tank, then it will work as its suppose to.

mihamlet · 05/26/2010, 10:27 AM

Not ideal, but I did it for a while and it worked without issues for me.

05/23/2010, 05:44 PM	#1
ramtmac Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 407	can i use a hang on skimmer in sump ? I just recently bought a Eshopps PSK-75H and now i have decided to set up a sump. Can i still use this skimmer or do i need to buy a new in sump skimmer ?

05/24/2010, 06:03 AM	#5
Palting Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ohio Posts: 6,912	If you get a longer inlet tubing to let your pump go deeper, it also means your pump will have a higher head pressure to go against. Worst case scenario is that you nay have to get a bigger pump if the flow controls can't compensate. __________________ Anything I post is just an opinion. One of many in this hobby. Believe and follow at your own risk of rapid and complete annihilation of all life in your tank :) Current Tank Info: Incept 3/2010, 150 RR, 50g sump, 20g fuge, 150w 15K MH x3, T5 actinics x8, moonlight LED x6, 1400gph return, Koralia 1400 x4, 300 g skimmer, 4 tangs, 2 mandarins, 2 perc, 6 line, 3 cardinals, 2 firefish, SPS, LPS, zoas, palys, shrooms, clam

05/24/2010, 06:23 AM	#6
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	The pump might have a tough time pulling water from down low in the sump. When the skimmer is hanging on the tank, the pump is roughly level with the water, in a sump where your water level is only 8" or so it would have to pull that water up and i'm assuming it would seriously effect performance. Not to mention, a true in-sump skimmer will knock a HOB skimmer out of the water in terms of performance. Your really not taking advantage of having a sump by using a HOB. My advice would be to sell the HOB and get a quality in-sump skimmer, it will make a world of difference. __________________ Ryan

05/24/2010, 06:35 AM	#7
RocketEngineer Space is big. Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Maryland Eastern Shore Posts: 3,226	ramtmac, I did exactly that on my 30g but I needed two small changes to make it work: 1) I put a plastic container into the sump to raise the water level to where it would be normally for the skimmer to pull from. The drain line goes into this container which also has the skimmer pump and skimmer drain line in it. The water then overflows the container into the rest of the sump. Has worked quite well for the last two years. 2) I had to raise up my sump on a 2X4 frame to make it high enough for the skimmer to hang on the sump and not sit on the bottom of the stand. If the sump is tall enough you don't need this. Hope that helps. RocketEngineer __________________ -RocketEngineer "Knowledge is what you get when you read the directions, experience is what you get when you don't." - Unknown Current Tank Info: None Currently

05/24/2010, 08:45 AM	#8
mr.maroonsalty Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: upstateny Posts: 2,504	the problem is with fluctuating water level, if you raise the water level to the top with a divider and the skimmer hangs the way it should on the tank, then it will work as its suppose to. __________________ Back from the dead! Current Tank Info: 140 dt reef

05/23/2010, 05:46 PM	#2
troyman Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: troy ny Posts: 1,025	sure you can as long it hangs on side of it and inlet pipe long enough

05/23/2010, 05:52 PM	#3
ramtmac Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 407	If the inlet pipe isn't long enough is it possible to make it longer? I got a 15 gallon sump the other day but i think the skimmer is to tall for it and it would sit on the ground

05/24/2010, 04:58 AM	#4
troyman Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: troy ny Posts: 1,025	yes get a piece of the plastic hose that would fit on the intake tube and just extend it the hardware stores sells the clear tubbing by the foot

05/26/2010, 10:27 AM	#9
mihamlet Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 52	Not ideal, but I did it for a while and it worked without issues for me.

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