Protein Skimmer Efficiency

[VJV]

Hi, my sump allows me to adjust the water level in my skimmer compartment so I would like to see what are your views on what is the most efficient way to run the skimmer:

- is it better to raise the water level in the skimmer compartment and open up the exit valve on the skimmer (more flow, less contact time?)

- or lower the water level in the skimmer compartment and close the exit valve on the skimmer (lower flow through the skimmer and more contact time?)

In both instances water level inside the skimmer body would be the same. My experience shows that I get more consistent foam with the first option but would really like some expert input




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Rtdrumz]

First...I'm no expert... but I've read a lot and have studied etc. etc. What else do you have going on in your sump downstream of your skimmer? What is going to be affected by that flow? As far as the skimmer doing skimmimg... It's 6 of one and half dozen of the other. Look at it like this... as long as your skimmer is sized correctly, it will be pulling out waste faster than the waste is being generated. Let's say you have X ppm that needs to be skimmed out, anything that doesn't get skimmed on round one will get picked up on rounds two or three. Eventually your skimmer will pull it out if it is working correctly. Now with tat being said, if your skimmer is doing better with option A, run it that way. The skimmer will push the waste to the top of the foam. As the waste builds it will get pushed into the collection cup. So if your skimmer is rated for 1000 gallons, and you are skimming 100, it would take longer to push that waste high enough up the neck to end up in the collection cup. I personally like the idea of knowing that my skimmer is "waiting" for more waste to add to the collection of skimmer "juice". Get ready ... your gonna get a whole lotta opinions on this one!

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[mcgyvr]

Whatever you think works best for you..

In general the greatest contact time should be the most efficient..

[ca1ore]

You may be over thinking. I don't see why it would make any difference since the skimmer pump is still pushing the same volume of water (or at least, really close). The role of the gate valve is to allow you to raise the internal water level such that increased head pressure exactly offsets the valve restriction, thus same amount of net flow. I suppose the increase water level in the sump might improve the skimmer pump flow (due to greater head pressure) but since you are presumably talking only an inch or two, I cannot imagine it would be material.

[scooter31707]

Depends on if you want to wet-skim or dry-skim.

[VJV]

Originally Posted by Rtdrumz

First...I'm no expert... but I've read a lot and have studied etc. etc. What else do you have going on in your sump downstream of your skimmer? What is going to be affected by that flow? As far as the skimmer doing skimmimg... It's 6 of one and half dozen of the other. Look at it like this... as long as your skimmer is sized correctly, it will be pulling out waste faster than the waste is being generated. Let's say you have X ppm that needs to be skimmed out, anything that doesn't get skimmed on round one will get picked up on rounds two or three. Eventually your skimmer will pull it out if it is working correctly. Now with tat being said, if your skimmer is doing better with option A, run it that way. The skimmer will push the waste to the top of the foam. As the waste builds it will get pushed into the collection cup. So if your skimmer is rated for 1000 gallons, and you are skimming 100, it would take longer to push that waste high enough up the neck to end up in the collection cup. I personally like the idea of knowing that my skimmer is "waiting" for more waste to add to the collection of skimmer "juice". Get ready ... your gonna get a whole lotta opinions on this one!

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

Thanks. Bring it on


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[VJV]

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

Whatever you think works best for you..

In general the greatest contact time should be the most efficient..

That would be my feeling too. Thanks for posting.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[VJV]

Originally Posted by ca1ore

You may be over thinking. I don't see why it would make any difference since the skimmer pump is still pushing the same volume of water (or at least, really close). The role of the gate valve is to allow you to raise the internal water level such that increased head pressure exactly offsets the valve restriction, thus same amount of net flow. I suppose the increase water level in the sump might improve the skimmer pump flow (due to greater head pressure) but since you are presumably talking only an inch or two, I cannot imagine it would be material.

Thanks, this is the kind of knowledge I was looking for. I thought that closing the global e would restrict the flow and therefore increase contact time. If this is not the case than as you say it should be indifferent!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[VJV]

Originally Posted by scooter31707

Depends on if you want to wet-skim or dry-skim.

Thanks. Not sure why given in both cases water height would be the same inside the skimmer...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[ca1ore]

Originally Posted by VJV

Thanks. Not sure why given in both cases water height would be the same inside the skimmer...

You are correct, internal water level dictates dry or wet skimming.

[ca1ore]

Originally Posted by Rtdrumz

as long as your skimmer is sized correctly, it will be pulling out waste faster than the waste is being generated. Let's say you have X ppm that needs to be skimmed out, anything that doesn't get skimmed on round one will get picked up on rounds two or three.

Skimmer studies have suggested that, at best, a skimmer pulls out about one third of the available organics - whether properly sized or not. I do agree, however, that assuming the skimmer magically pulls these out in just a single pass is incorrect. It is in art why the practice of matching skimmer processing gph to sump through flow is pointless.

[VJV]

Originally Posted by ca1ore

Skimmer studies have suggested that, at best, a skimmer pulls out about one third of the available organics - whether properly sized or not. I do agree, however, that assuming the skimmer magically pulls these out in just a single pass is incorrect. It is in art why the practice of matching skimmer processing gph to sump through flow is pointless.

Thanks! And apologies for having missed your post


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk