splitting return to feed skimmer

[jacksonpt]

I've got my return pump (eheim 1262) dialed way back right now. I'm looking to replace my eshopps skimmer - can I split the return from my eheim to feed my new skimmer (haven't decided on which skimmer as yet)?

Space is a big concern for me, so I'm trying to avoid adding a skimmer and another pump to my already cramped stand.

[sra127]

if its already dialed back, and the pump can handle your skimmer requirements and you have enough flow in the tank, dont see why not.

[jacksonpt]

I have a close loop that I use for flow in the tank, so I can put almost as much flow from the eheim through the skimmer as need be.

Since I can't feed an air line directly to the pump, how would the skimmer get air?

[jimmy n]

It has to be a recirculating type skimmer with its own innate pumps to gravity feed it. Ie deltec.

[lordofthereef]

What skimmer do you have?

[tkeracer619]

A lot of the new skimmers have models with internal pumps.

Is this for the 30 gallon? I would think a small venturi skimmer would work fine but I would rather get a smaller ehiem and a skimmer with an internal pump like the SWC 120. Tiny footprint.

[jacksonpt]

Originally Posted by lordofthereef

What skimmer do you have?

I currently have an eshopps PSK-75 HOB skimmer that I'm tired of fighting with so I'm looking to replace. I haven't decided on (never mind purchased) a replacement.

[jacksonpt]

Originally Posted by tkeracer619

A lot of the new skimmers have models with internal pumps.

Is this for the 30 gallon? I would think a small venturi skimmer would work fine but I would rather get a smaller ehiem and a skimmer with an internal pump like the SWC 120. Tiny footprint.

Yes, it is for the 30. The internal pump models sound interesting... I'll take a look at the swc skimmers.

Ideally though, I'd like to feed the skimmer with my eheim if possible. I've already got 2 pretty beefy pumps for such a small system... adding another (plus the additional electric) isn't all that appealing.

[lordofthereef]

The reason we are asking what skimmer you have or are looking at is because you can feed the skimmer with the pump you want to feed it with, but the skimmer itself will still need some sort of recirc and venturi pulling air in it. Simply feeding the skimmer the way you speak of only tackle half the jobl getting water in.

[ChuckG]

A dedicated pump for the skimmer would probably result in less attention needed to adjust the water level. As some have said most in sump skimmers have a dedicated pump with a volute that incorporates an air line. Not sure you could DIY move the air line into a shared pumps system unless you're pretty good at that sort of thing. It would need to be balnced for the skimmers body, flow rate etc..

I am considering upgraging to a 1262 and splitting off a line from the return to feed media reactors and maybe stir the sump. The skimmer will remain on it's own purpose built pump.

[jacksonpt]

Originally Posted by lordofthereef

The reason we are asking what skimmer you have or are looking at is because you can feed the skimmer with the pump you want to feed it with, but the skimmer itself will still need some sort of recirc and venturi pulling air in it. Simply feeding the skimmer the way you speak of only tackle half the jobl getting water in.

Right, and the second part is why I wasn't sure if it was possible. Perhaps my question should have been...
Are there any skimmers I can use with an eheim 1262?

[lordofthereef]

I am sure there would be. How much do you have it dialed down? The pump is rated 900gph at 0' head. At 4' head (what I consider average) it is 790gph; 6' head is about 700gph. Also, what size system are you running? Is it the 30g long in your "current tank info"?

[jacksonpt]

I've got it dialed back about half way right now. I have a closed loop I use for flow in the tank, so I could use almost as much of the eheim's flow as necessary for the skimmer.

Yes, it's for the 30 which right now has a pretty light bioload... but I'd like to add a couple small fish to in the near future, moving it to what I would consider a moderate bioload.

[lordofthereef]

I did some searching but I couldn't really find any externally fed skimmers in that small of a range. I think the smallest I found was something rated for 150g+ and the price tag was around $600 new. Not to say that one doesn't exist, but I am unaware of one nor was I successful in my search. If they truly don't make them of this size I wouldn't be terribly surprised though, as I don't think there is a large demand for such a skimmer. The bottom line, at least from my eyes, is you may be better off just changing your pump out if you feel it is too much and getting an internal skimmer. I suppose you could always try and build something too, assuming you feel like taking on that feat. By the looks of things, that might be the only option with what you have to work with.

[drstupid]

i feed my skimmer off one of the drain lines, it's a little tricky to get a smooth flow through it but it works great once you get it right. i have things plumbed such that i can easily swap fixtures and feed it off the return pump (in case my experiment had failed), but it actually skims a lot better from the drain line (more stuff to skim is my guess) so i've not run it off the return pump for years.