Sump and skimmer question

mikeandjenn99 · 01/29/2007, 08:00 PM

Ok. I have the return pump from my sump and my protein skimmer on the same switch. My issue is, if I turn off my pump to feed the tank, the protein skimmer goes off too, since the increase in water level pushes water too high in the reaction chamber. When I cut the power back on, the skimmer water level is too high, and it pushes water into the cup so fast that it runs out the holes in the top. The only way I have around this is to either leave the pump going all the time, or don't plug the skimmer back up until the sump level is back to normal.
How do you guys do this? So many people say once you get the skimmer going, to leave it running all the time. Does that mean you never turn the pump off to feed?

Great White 76 · 01/29/2007, 08:01 PM

Mine are on different plugs.

mikeandjenn99 · 01/29/2007, 08:04 PM

Do you shut your pump off to feed? If so, how do you keep your skimmer going if the water level rises?

Great White 76 · 01/29/2007, 08:08 PM

Yes I do unplug my pumps when I feed and the skimmer runs just fine when we feed. They are all on a surge protector so unplugging one and leaving the other plugged in is not a problem.

mikeandjenn99 · 01/29/2007, 08:13 PM

Is your skimmer actually in the sump? Mine is in the sump, and the water level rises about 2 or 3 inches as the tank drains. That pushes water all the way up into the cup for me. Is there any way to keep the water level stable in the skimmer if it sits in the sump?

danch · 01/29/2007, 08:28 PM

I've got a bubble trap (3 baffles) between the skimmer and the return. The return section is the only place the water level changes.

mikeandjenn99 · 01/30/2007, 06:41 AM

well, I don't have a bubble trap in right now, but even if there was one, when I cut power to the pump, I get water draining from both the drain line and the return line until it hits siphon break. So even with a bubble trap, wouldn't I still see a water level increase in both sides?

danch · 01/30/2007, 07:45 AM

It won't get any higher than the bottom baffle, unless the level in the return tops the baffle. You'd make the baffle high enough that that wouldn't happen, then if necessary put the skimmer on something so that it's at the right level in the water.

01/29/2007, 08:00 PM	#1
mikeandjenn99 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 437	Sump and skimmer question Ok. I have the return pump from my sump and my protein skimmer on the same switch. My issue is, if I turn off my pump to feed the tank, the protein skimmer goes off too, since the increase in water level pushes water too high in the reaction chamber. When I cut the power back on, the skimmer water level is too high, and it pushes water into the cup so fast that it runs out the holes in the top. The only way I have around this is to either leave the pump going all the time, or don't plug the skimmer back up until the sump level is back to normal. How do you guys do this? So many people say once you get the skimmer going, to leave it running all the time. Does that mean you never turn the pump off to feed? __________________ Why are Tangs so special? Where are the Cleaner Wrasse police?? Current Tank Info: 55g mixed 12g nano

01/29/2007, 08:04 PM	#3
mikeandjenn99 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 437	Do you shut your pump off to feed? If so, how do you keep your skimmer going if the water level rises? __________________ Why are Tangs so special? Where are the Cleaner Wrasse police?? Current Tank Info: 55g mixed 12g nano

01/29/2007, 08:13 PM	#5
mikeandjenn99 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 437	Is your skimmer actually in the sump? Mine is in the sump, and the water level rises about 2 or 3 inches as the tank drains. That pushes water all the way up into the cup for me. Is there any way to keep the water level stable in the skimmer if it sits in the sump? __________________ Why are Tangs so special? Where are the Cleaner Wrasse police?? Current Tank Info: 55g mixed 12g nano

01/29/2007, 08:28 PM	#6
danch Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 614	I've got a bubble trap (3 baffles) between the skimmer and the return. The return section is the only place the water level changes. __________________ Asking dumb questions since '06! Or, a dumby asking questions since '06! Current Tank Info: 29G FW, 75G LPSing

01/30/2007, 06:41 AM	#7
mikeandjenn99 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 437	well, I don't have a bubble trap in right now, but even if there was one, when I cut power to the pump, I get water draining from both the drain line and the return line until it hits siphon break. So even with a bubble trap, wouldn't I still see a water level increase in both sides? __________________ Why are Tangs so special? Where are the Cleaner Wrasse police?? Current Tank Info: 55g mixed 12g nano

01/29/2007, 08:01 PM	#2
Great White 76 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Jacksonville Posts: 63	Mine are on different plugs.

01/29/2007, 08:08 PM	#4
Great White 76 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Jacksonville Posts: 63	Yes I do unplug my pumps when I feed and the skimmer runs just fine when we feed. They are all on a surge protector so unplugging one and leaving the other plugged in is not a problem.

01/30/2007, 07:45 AM	#8
danch Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 614	It won't get any higher than the bottom baffle, unless the level in the return tops the baffle. You'd make the baffle high enough that that wouldn't happen, then if necessary put the skimmer on something so that it's at the right level in the water. __________________ Asking dumb questions since '06! Or, a dumby asking questions since '06! Current Tank Info: 29G FW, 75G LPSing