Sump setup - help

marinesb · 04/25/2014, 04:40 AM

Hi all, i am having trouble with my skimmer always overflowing( i think due to water level). Would it have a negative effect if i change the water circulation into my sump? Basically having the main tank return opposite to the skimmer chamber(so the water level will be lower on the skimmer section). Thanks again for your everyones help :-)

scott3569 · 04/25/2014, 05:18 AM

How old is the tank? Do you know what water level is best for the skimmer you have? If not post the brand/size of your skimmer.

It is said all over on this forum that your skimmer should be the first thing that your water see after maybe a filter sock.(I think that is so you don't get all the bubble in your DT but not sure if that is the only reason.)

Maybe try dialing it down, if it is a new tank or even a new skimmer it need to break in, I just posted on another thread on this subject. I was having trouble also, my tank is new just two days old with water in it..so I know my skimmer is not broken in yet..I have mine turn down so that the bubbles it creates does not allow the water to flow in to the collection cup

fishgate · 04/25/2014, 05:20 AM

You are better off raising your skimmer on a platform.

marinesb · 04/25/2014, 05:21 AM

Tank is two weeks old and have a deltec 1350 skimmer. Really wish it would stop overflowing!!

scott3569 · 04/25/2014, 05:27 AM

I would figure out what water level your skimmer works best in and do what fishgate suggested, alot of people use plastic eggcrate/ loverhead light defuser from your bigbox hardware store..cut it into squares or whatever shape you like LOL. and raise it that way

fishgate · 04/25/2014, 05:52 AM

2 weeks is nothing. It could take 2 months to find its level. Turn it way down for now until it is fully broken in.

jam583 · 04/25/2014, 05:54 AM

Just my two cents .. skimmer seems to be really deep in water. I turned my skimmer all the way down, put on platform, and slowly dialed up. Initially, it was just overflowing when it wasn't on a platform.

duncangweller · 04/25/2014, 05:57 AM

I would say that almost certainly has to be raised. A lot of skimmers will operate best somewhere between 6-10 inches of water. Check your manual for recommended level for your skimmer and adjust accordingly and I bet that will fix it.

04/25/2014, 05:18 AM	#2
scott3569 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Middletown,VA Posts: 929	How old is the tank? Do you know what water level is best for the skimmer you have? If not post the brand/size of your skimmer. It is said all over on this forum that your skimmer should be the first thing that your water see after maybe a filter sock.(I think that is so you don't get all the bubble in your DT but not sure if that is the only reason.) Maybe try dialing it down, if it is a new tank or even a new skimmer it need to break in, I just posted on another thread on this subject. I was having trouble also, my tank is new just two days old with water in it..so I know my skimmer is not broken in yet..I have mine turn down so that the bubbles it creates does not allow the water to flow in to the collection cup __________________ I'm in a fishy situation!!! Current Tank Info: 56 gallon 30 x 18 x 22 with a 40gal sump, SCA 302 skimmer, 10 gal QT tank, a hydror 600 power head, 2 enhiem 150 heaters, 49#'s of dry rock, 12#'s of life rock, 40#'s of sand

04/25/2014, 05:20 AM	#3
fishgate Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Damascus, MD Posts: 3,340	You are better off raising your skimmer on a platform. __________________ 125RR in-wall, 40B Sump, CS180 BM Skimmer, ATI 4x80 watt, eheim 1262, custom wrap around rock wall, ReefKeeper Elite 120g in-wall, 40B Sump, PC 54wx4, Jabao DC-6000 (full siphon), future seahorse t Current Tank Info: 125g, 120g, 2x40b sumps, ATI 4x80 T5HO

04/25/2014, 05:27 AM	#5
scott3569 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Middletown,VA Posts: 929	I would figure out what water level your skimmer works best in and do what fishgate suggested, alot of people use plastic eggcrate/ loverhead light defuser from your bigbox hardware store..cut it into squares or whatever shape you like LOL. and raise it that way __________________ I'm in a fishy situation!!! Current Tank Info: 56 gallon 30 x 18 x 22 with a 40gal sump, SCA 302 skimmer, 10 gal QT tank, a hydror 600 power head, 2 enhiem 150 heaters, 49#'s of dry rock, 12#'s of life rock, 40#'s of sand

04/25/2014, 05:52 AM	#6
fishgate Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Damascus, MD Posts: 3,340	2 weeks is nothing. It could take 2 months to find its level. Turn it way down for now until it is fully broken in. __________________ 125RR in-wall, 40B Sump, CS180 BM Skimmer, ATI 4x80 watt, eheim 1262, custom wrap around rock wall, ReefKeeper Elite 120g in-wall, 40B Sump, PC 54wx4, Jabao DC-6000 (full siphon), future seahorse t Current Tank Info: 125g, 120g, 2x40b sumps, ATI 4x80 T5HO

04/25/2014, 05:21 AM	#4
marinesb Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 56	Tank is two weeks old and have a deltec 1350 skimmer. Really wish it would stop overflowing!!

04/25/2014, 05:54 AM	#7
jam583 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Phoenix, MD Posts: 260	Just my two cents .. skimmer seems to be really deep in water. I turned my skimmer all the way down, put on platform, and slowly dialed up. Initially, it was just overflowing when it wasn't on a platform.

04/25/2014, 05:57 AM	#8
duncangweller Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 20	I would say that almost certainly has to be raised. A lot of skimmers will operate best somewhere between 6-10 inches of water. Check your manual for recommended level for your skimmer and adjust accordingly and I bet that will fix it.