Feed pump or direct feed on skimmer?

dbmtrman · 01/05/2008, 10:47 AM

I just recently bought an Octopus DNW-200, and have it fed from a RIO 1100. I was wondering if it would be easier/better to put a T in one of my overflow lines and run water right into the skimmer.

I have a 180 with a 25 gallon sump (for now, next project is a new sump/refugium 42X20). How do I adjust the amount of water going into the skimmer (1 to 1.5 times system volume)?

mg426 · 01/05/2008, 12:26 PM

I have fed my recirced G3 both ways. I found the direct fed method to be much better IMO. Put a tee on your overflow with a ball valve to regulate the flow to your skimmer. 1 to 1.5 times Tank volume/hr through the skimmer is a good amount to shoot for.

pjf · 01/05/2008, 06:26 PM

Here's a diagram from UCanDoIt's gallery:

Konadog · 01/05/2008, 07:38 PM

If power consumption means anything to you, direct feed is the way to go.

pjf, is that picture drawn with the latest version of CAD?

Another way to plumb it if you have a valve on the output of the skimmer is to lower the Tee to the top of the riser tube, so when you restrict too much, it overflows out the other tube.

MattG · 01/05/2008, 08:22 PM

Definitely gravity feed it. I have mine plumbed like the picture pjf posted.

01/05/2008, 10:47 AM	#1
dbmtrman Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South Florida Posts: 144	Feed pump or direct feed on skimmer? I just recently bought an Octopus DNW-200, and have it fed from a RIO 1100. I was wondering if it would be easier/better to put a T in one of my overflow lines and run water right into the skimmer. I have a 180 with a 25 gallon sump (for now, next project is a new sump/refugium 42X20). How do I adjust the amount of water going into the skimmer (1 to 1.5 times system volume)?

01/05/2008, 12:26 PM	#2
mg426 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: maryland Posts: 6,923	I have fed my recirced G3 both ways. I found the direct fed method to be much better IMO. Put a tee on your overflow with a ball valve to regulate the flow to your skimmer. 1 to 1.5 times Tank volume/hr through the skimmer is a good amount to shoot for. __________________ I found a way to make a small fortune running a reef tank. Start with a large fortune. Unofficial President of the SEACLONE haters club Current Tank Info: 125 mixed reef 110 lbs LR, 1x250watt XM 20K MH 2x175watt XM 20K MH on Magetics 2X96 watt actinic PC, 220 watt VHO actinic, 30 gallon refugium, closed loop system powered by Sequence Dart MSX 200 skimmer 38 gallon sump, Oceansmotions squirt

01/05/2008, 07:38 PM	#4
Konadog Master of the 16 hour day Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: East Long Beach, So Cal Posts: 13,151 Blog Entries: 4	If power consumption means anything to you, direct feed is the way to go. pjf, is that picture drawn with the latest version of CAD? Another way to plumb it if you have a valve on the output of the skimmer is to lower the Tee to the top of the riser tube, so when you restrict too much, it overflows out the other tube. __________________ Save the Reefs................................................................Save the world! -Ken Current Tank Info: Currently tankless, and loving it!

01/05/2008, 08:22 PM	#5
MattG Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Waco, TX Posts: 3,216	Definitely gravity feed it. I have mine plumbed like the picture pjf posted. __________________ Matt Current Tank Info: 215 mixed reef

01/05/2008, 06:26 PM	#3
pjf Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 2,954	Here's a diagram from UCanDoIt's gallery: