should my intake tube be submerged?

baby1- · 08/23/2011, 05:02 AM

should my intake tue be submerged in water in to my skimmer section of my sump ,? the way i have it set up now is it runs from my CPR box down 1 ' and horizontal 4' the 90's in to my sump about 9 ",should i put more 1" pvc to make it longer after the 90 going down in the sump and under the water, for better suction?

csmfish · 08/23/2011, 06:23 AM

Not exactly sure of your setup as it kind of doesnt make sense the way your explaining it, or I am reading it, but, its a gravitational thing. As long as the water goes from top to botttom, there is not much more you can do. The CPR box will only put out what your return pump returns. If you try to suck too much water at the skimmer, say more than the return pump pumps, it will run dry. Maybe not a bad thing as you will get more air, but, if it is running fine now, leave it. What you can do is put a divirter valve on your return pump and lower the water going to the tank from the sump, then, get another power head to make up for flow if your worried about that. hat in theory should would give the skimmer more time to work the slow moving water with gunk in it. How well that works on paper is hard to say.

You have any pics of the setup?

AcMonster · 08/23/2011, 06:31 AM

Skimmers work much better with a steady level of water. Submerging the return line in the water will probably help with splash and noise levels, but might also introduce microbubbles into the sump which will be bad for the skimmer. It would probably be best to move the return to a separate part of the sump if possible, or move the skimmer. Best of luck!

csmfish · 08/23/2011, 06:55 AM

How is microbubbles bad? if it is too much air, he could always put a valve on the air tube and readjust. I mean, I guess it depends on what he has to work with. I have my big 1-1/2 (actually 2 of them) pipes literally right next to my skimmer intake and were are cool, thats why I asked for a pic, to see what he is working with and trying to do.

baby1- · 08/23/2011, 04:02 PM

here are some pics

baby1- · 08/26/2011, 05:05 AM

is there a answer ?

baby1- · 08/27/2011, 05:03 AM

could i upgrade to a 2" pvc pipe ?

csmfish · 08/27/2011, 11:52 AM

Like said, it is gravity drained/draining. If you have your pump pumping ALL the water into the tank and your overflow is draining the water okay, your not going to do anything by adding a 2"-3" or 4" pipe, "UNLESS" you put a 1500gph pump on, and, you better have a good drain.

Actually, its not an "intake" tube, its called a/the drain outlet, and, having it out of the water gives you free'er flow. I would have it an inch under the water to keep splash down.

What are you concerned with?

Shorten up that input hose to the skimmer. You want to make a / angle to it as much as possible...........and........

If your worried about the 90's, get 2 45's or a sink " U " in a 45 degree.

08/23/2011, 05:02 AM	#1
baby1- Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: st.louis, Mo. Posts: 378	should my intake tube be submerged? should my intake tue be submerged in water in to my skimmer section of my sump ,? the way i have it set up now is it runs from my CPR box down 1 ' and horizontal 4' the 90's in to my sump about 9 ",should i put more 1" pvc to make it longer after the 90 going down in the sump and under the water, for better suction?

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08/23/2011, 06:23 AM	#2
csmfish Moved On Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: VA Posts: 1,055	Not exactly sure of your setup as it kind of doesnt make sense the way your explaining it, or I am reading it, but, its a gravitational thing. As long as the water goes from top to botttom, there is not much more you can do. The CPR box will only put out what your return pump returns. If you try to suck too much water at the skimmer, say more than the return pump pumps, it will run dry. Maybe not a bad thing as you will get more air, but, if it is running fine now, leave it. What you can do is put a divirter valve on your return pump and lower the water going to the tank from the sump, then, get another power head to make up for flow if your worried about that. hat in theory should would give the skimmer more time to work the slow moving water with gunk in it. How well that works on paper is hard to say. You have any pics of the setup?

08/23/2011, 06:31 AM	#3
AcMonster Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: S.E. Michigan Posts: 106	Skimmers work much better with a steady level of water. Submerging the return line in the water will probably help with splash and noise levels, but might also introduce microbubbles into the sump which will be bad for the skimmer. It would probably be best to move the return to a separate part of the sump if possible, or move the skimmer. Best of luck!

08/23/2011, 06:55 AM	#4
csmfish Moved On Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: VA Posts: 1,055	How is microbubbles bad? if it is too much air, he could always put a valve on the air tube and readjust. I mean, I guess it depends on what he has to work with. I have my big 1-1/2 (actually 2 of them) pipes literally right next to my skimmer intake and were are cool, thats why I asked for a pic, to see what he is working with and trying to do.

08/26/2011, 05:05 AM	#6
baby1- Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: st.louis, Mo. Posts: 378	is there a answer ?

08/27/2011, 05:03 AM	#7
baby1- Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: st.louis, Mo. Posts: 378	could i upgrade to a 2" pvc pipe ?

08/27/2011, 11:52 AM	#8
csmfish Moved On Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: VA Posts: 1,055	Like said, it is gravity drained/draining. If you have your pump pumping ALL the water into the tank and your overflow is draining the water okay, your not going to do anything by adding a 2"-3" or 4" pipe, "UNLESS" you put a 1500gph pump on, and, you better have a good drain. Actually, its not an "intake" tube, its called a/the drain outlet, and, having it out of the water gives you free'er flow. I would have it an inch under the water to keep splash down. What are you concerned with? Shorten up that input hose to the skimmer. You want to make a / angle to it as much as possible...........and........ If your worried about the 90's, get 2 45's or a sink " U " in a 45 degree.