Feeding a Recirc with the overflow

lgresham · 04/26/2007, 08:14 PM

Hi guys,

I am setting up my new 130, and would like to know the proper way to feed a recirc with the overflow. I have 2 overflows in my tank, and was thinking I should just use one of those for the skimmer, and regulate with a ball valve, which my skimmer has anyway. Is that the right way to go, or should I T off of one of the overflows and feed my skimmer that way?

TIA

outy · 04/26/2007, 10:03 PM

i would T off one of the overflow,s

Jim_S · 04/26/2007, 10:24 PM

Here's how I did mine.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

lgresham · 04/26/2007, 10:57 PM

The picture was exactly what I needed; thank you so much. Do you have Durso's on both drains? I guess with the T and ball valve, you aren't having to worry much about air going into the skimmer?

Jim_S · 04/26/2007, 11:12 PM

You're welcome.

No worries on the air. I am using durso's on both drains. This is my 3rd gravity set-up. I like this set-up the best.

Jim

lgresham · 04/27/2007, 06:59 AM

Ok awesome, I will do just that then

It just makes so much more sense to me to feed it with the overflow than with a pump in the sump; it seems it will be skimming just what I want it to skim this way.

driftin · 04/27/2007, 08:49 AM

Jim, if I'm looking at the photos correctly - first photo, the line with the open ball valve feeds the skimmer? How did you "balance" the line feeding the skimmer? I would like to do this too, but am unsure how to know when I have ~100gph entering the skimmer...

Thanks!

Jim_S · 04/27/2007, 09:39 AM

The only way I know how to check the flow through the skimmer is to fill up a 1 gallon jug from the skimmer's exhaust and time it.

150gph takes approximately 24secs to fill 1g
175gph takes approximately 21secs to fill 1g
200gph takes approximately 18secs to fill 1g
225gph takes approximately 16secs to fill 1g
250gph takes approximately 14secs to fill 1g
275gph takes approximately 13secs to fill 1g
300gph takes approximately 12secs to fill 1g
325gph takes approximately 11secs to fill 1g
350gph takes approximately 10secs to fill 1g

You want to run about 1.5 times the system volume per hour.

HTH

Jim

driftin · 04/27/2007, 10:41 AM

Awesome idea, thanks!

Jim_S · 04/27/2007, 10:49 AM

No prob!!

You guys will all find out how easy this really is. Not too many mistakes that can be made if you have basic plumbing skills.

Cheers,

Jim

dilligaf_biker69 · 04/29/2007, 05:36 PM

wanna find this for later....

blot60 · 05/02/2007, 01:56 AM

Im gonna do this.

04/26/2007, 08:14 PM	#1
lgresham Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 25	Feeding a Recirc with the overflow Hi guys, I am setting up my new 130, and would like to know the proper way to feed a recirc with the overflow. I have 2 overflows in my tank, and was thinking I should just use one of those for the skimmer, and regulate with a ball valve, which my skimmer has anyway. Is that the right way to go, or should I T off of one of the overflows and feed my skimmer that way? TIA

04/26/2007, 10:24 PM	#3
Jim_S Timo Boll Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 5,333	Here's how I did mine. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. __________________ We will survive in this world of competition, shooting guns and our ammunition... Bradley Nowell Current Tank Info: We're recreating the ocean in our livings rooms. With that said, I've had some ups and downs.

04/26/2007, 11:12 PM	#5
Jim_S Timo Boll Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 5,333	You're welcome. No worries on the air. I am using durso's on both drains. This is my 3rd gravity set-up. I like this set-up the best. Jim __________________ We will survive in this world of competition, shooting guns and our ammunition... Bradley Nowell Current Tank Info: We're recreating the ocean in our livings rooms. With that said, I've had some ups and downs.

04/27/2007, 08:49 AM	#7
driftin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,247	Jim, if I'm looking at the photos correctly - first photo, the line with the open ball valve feeds the skimmer? How did you "balance" the line feeding the skimmer? I would like to do this too, but am unsure how to know when I have ~100gph entering the skimmer... Thanks! __________________ -Jim Current Tank Info: 70 gal custom room divider

04/27/2007, 09:39 AM	#8
Jim_S Timo Boll Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 5,333	The only way I know how to check the flow through the skimmer is to fill up a 1 gallon jug from the skimmer's exhaust and time it. 150gph takes approximately 24secs to fill 1g 175gph takes approximately 21secs to fill 1g 200gph takes approximately 18secs to fill 1g 225gph takes approximately 16secs to fill 1g 250gph takes approximately 14secs to fill 1g 275gph takes approximately 13secs to fill 1g 300gph takes approximately 12secs to fill 1g 325gph takes approximately 11secs to fill 1g 350gph takes approximately 10secs to fill 1g You want to run about 1.5 times the system volume per hour. HTH Jim __________________ We will survive in this world of competition, shooting guns and our ammunition... Bradley Nowell Current Tank Info: We're recreating the ocean in our livings rooms. With that said, I've had some ups and downs.

04/26/2007, 10:03 PM	#2
outy Moved On Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: auburn CA Posts: 4,021	i would T off one of the overflow,s

04/26/2007, 10:57 PM	#4
lgresham Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 25	The picture was exactly what I needed; thank you so much. Do you have Durso's on both drains? I guess with the T and ball valve, you aren't having to worry much about air going into the skimmer?

04/27/2007, 06:59 AM	#6
lgresham Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 25	Ok awesome, I will do just that then It just makes so much more sense to me to feed it with the overflow than with a pump in the sump; it seems it will be skimming just what I want it to skim this way.

04/27/2007, 10:41 AM	#9
driftin Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,247	Awesome idea, thanks! __________________ -Jim Current Tank Info: 70 gal custom room divider

04/27/2007, 10:49 AM	#10
Jim_S Timo Boll Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 5,333	No prob!! You guys will all find out how easy this really is. Not too many mistakes that can be made if you have basic plumbing skills. Cheers, Jim __________________ We will survive in this world of competition, shooting guns and our ammunition... Bradley Nowell Current Tank Info: We're recreating the ocean in our livings rooms. With that said, I've had some ups and downs.

04/29/2007, 05:36 PM	#11
dilligaf_biker69 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: DAYTONA BEACH FL Posts: 483	wanna find this for later....

05/02/2007, 01:56 AM	#12
blot60 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: So Cal Posts: 227	Im gonna do this. __________________ There's no way, no way that you came from my loins. Soon as I get home, first thing I'm gonna do is punch yo mamma in da mouth! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed, 30g sump, 8x T5, Octopus DDNW 150,