Feeding an orca 250 directly from the overflow

flyyyguy · 03/22/2010, 03:57 PM

I currently have a couple of these skimmers in which I feed the usual way, from the sump via eheims. I am setting up a third and I want to feed it directly from the overflow.

My overflow is 1.5" and the obvious thing is just to taper it down to the 1" intake on the skimmer and run the standard 500 gph I run through the ones fed via pumps

For those of you who already feed their skimmers this way, is there anything else I should be thinking about as far as set up?? I woudl think the fact that the feed water is no longer pressurized it has to behave differently....

experienced input anyone??

Mako · 03/22/2010, 05:23 PM

I gravity fed my BK250 external from one of my overflows for over a year in the way you describe. Just recently took that down and started feeding it with a Mag7.

It worked really well being gravity fed and with how mine was set up I could measure and control the GPM being fed using a Blue Light Industries flow meter and ball valve. It would still be setup this way, but I wanted to try feeding the skimmer more water and when I stepped up the flow to 450gph I had trouble balancing the overflows. Two big ones on my 300 with 1.5" drains and one would practically stop draining as the other required most of the draining water to maintain level.

I may go back to it as the simple solution is to put more water back into the tank. I feed reactors off my main return pump from the sump and if I were to put those on a seperate pump the extra flow to the display would allow for the gravity feed back to the skimmer without too much tweaking on the overflow levels. Just was easier to test the increased flow to the skimmer with the Mag7 for now.

flyyyguy · 03/22/2010, 05:53 PM

Thanks for the reply Mako.

so.....would I be accurate in thinking that if you DIDNT have excess water going through the overflow so that you could control the flow to the skimmer via a ball valve, then the actual level in the skimmer could vary at any given second based on the subtle inconsistenstencies in what actually goes through the overflow?? And for that reason, for any true control one must have a little excess water going through the overflow and to the sump, so that the actual flow sent to the skimmer can be controlled consistently??

I already route the water in my sumps and skimmers so that skimmed water gets sent on not to be skimmed again, and match flows so that I skim most all of the water that gets sent to the sump. The only reason I want to feed it this way is to get ALL of the water that goes through the overflow to go through the skimmer

That said, if excess water(that wont be going directly to the skimmer) is needed for control, then the way I already do it with a consistent pressurized feed is probably best and I shouldnt be changing it as it isnt going to really be gaining anything by a direct gravity feed if excess water is needed to do it right anyway

am I making sense??

Mako · 03/28/2010, 07:32 AM

Had to read it a couple of times, but I see what you are saying now. Still early....

In my case I have dual overflows. My drain to the skimmer was separate from the normal Durso drains. Water level was contant in the skimmer as a result. So yes would be my response to your question of "one must have a little excess water going to the sump". At least IME.

My expierment, as of now, has proved fruitful. The increased water flow to the skimmer has resulted in more production of waste. This all tells me I will be doing some more changes down the road so I can increase water return to the display and move back to a gravity feed for the skimmer.

trueperc · 03/28/2010, 08:46 AM

WHen I first started with my ocra 250 I had it gravity feed from the dual overflows, the only issue I had was the burping of air that would mess with the foam head, I am not sure it this really hurt performance but I did switch to a feed pump. I would rather had it gravity feed though. Any suggestion on dealing with the burping.

Lightsluvr · 03/28/2010, 09:27 AM

It's easy to set up.

Click on my build thread. I reduced my 1.5" overflow to a barb fitting for 1" tubing to feed the Orca 250. I just use the wedge pipe to tune the skimmer in...

Original Install:

Recent updates - still feeding the skimmer in the same manner from one of (4) overflows:

Works just as well with the Orca 250 ProKit Mod which I added about a month ago...

LL

tkeracer619 · 03/28/2010, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trueperc

WHen I first started with my ocra 250 I had it gravity feed from the dual overflows, the only issue I had was the burping of air that would mess with the foam head, I am not sure it this really hurt performance but I did switch to a feed pump. I would rather had it gravity feed though. Any suggestion on dealing with the burping.

I would not want to cause restriction in the drain pipe but maybe a few bioballs would break them into smaller bubbles and not cause any issues. If you did this I would make absolutely sure nothing could get into your drain pipe.

03/22/2010, 03:57 PM	#1
flyyyguy King of the white corals Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,239	Feeding an orca 250 directly from the overflow I currently have a couple of these skimmers in which I feed the usual way, from the sump via eheims. I am setting up a third and I want to feed it directly from the overflow. My overflow is 1.5" and the obvious thing is just to taper it down to the 1" intake on the skimmer and run the standard 500 gph I run through the ones fed via pumps For those of you who already feed their skimmers this way, is there anything else I should be thinking about as far as set up?? I woudl think the fact that the feed water is no longer pressurized it has to behave differently.... experienced input anyone?? __________________ I like holding hands, snuggling, and long walks on the beach

03/22/2010, 05:23 PM	#2
Mako Will Dive For Food Join Date: May 2001 Location: FL Posts: 5,652	I gravity fed my BK250 external from one of my overflows for over a year in the way you describe. Just recently took that down and started feeding it with a Mag7. It worked really well being gravity fed and with how mine was set up I could measure and control the GPM being fed using a Blue Light Industries flow meter and ball valve. It would still be setup this way, but I wanted to try feeding the skimmer more water and when I stepped up the flow to 450gph I had trouble balancing the overflows. Two big ones on my 300 with 1.5" drains and one would practically stop draining as the other required most of the draining water to maintain level. I may go back to it as the simple solution is to put more water back into the tank. I feed reactors off my main return pump from the sump and if I were to put those on a seperate pump the extra flow to the display would allow for the gravity feed back to the skimmer without too much tweaking on the overflow levels. Just was easier to test the increased flow to the skimmer with the Mag7 for now. __________________ -Chuck "One of the lessons of history is that nothing is often a good thing to do and always a clever thing to say." -- W Durant Current Tank Info: 300 mixed reef

03/22/2010, 05:53 PM	#3
flyyyguy King of the white corals Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 5,239	Thanks for the reply Mako. so.....would I be accurate in thinking that if you DIDNT have excess water going through the overflow so that you could control the flow to the skimmer via a ball valve, then the actual level in the skimmer could vary at any given second based on the subtle inconsistenstencies in what actually goes through the overflow?? And for that reason, for any true control one must have a little excess water going through the overflow and to the sump, so that the actual flow sent to the skimmer can be controlled consistently?? I already route the water in my sumps and skimmers so that skimmed water gets sent on not to be skimmed again, and match flows so that I skim most all of the water that gets sent to the sump. The only reason I want to feed it this way is to get ALL of the water that goes through the overflow to go through the skimmer That said, if excess water(that wont be going directly to the skimmer) is needed for control, then the way I already do it with a consistent pressurized feed is probably best and I shouldnt be changing it as it isnt going to really be gaining anything by a direct gravity feed if excess water is needed to do it right anyway am I making sense?? __________________ I like holding hands, snuggling, and long walks on the beach

03/28/2010, 07:32 AM	#4
Mako Will Dive For Food Join Date: May 2001 Location: FL Posts: 5,652	Had to read it a couple of times, but I see what you are saying now. Still early.... In my case I have dual overflows. My drain to the skimmer was separate from the normal Durso drains. Water level was contant in the skimmer as a result. So yes would be my response to your question of "one must have a little excess water going to the sump". At least IME. My expierment, as of now, has proved fruitful. The increased water flow to the skimmer has resulted in more production of waste. This all tells me I will be doing some more changes down the road so I can increase water return to the display and move back to a gravity feed for the skimmer. __________________ -Chuck "One of the lessons of history is that nothing is often a good thing to do and always a clever thing to say." -- W Durant Current Tank Info: 300 mixed reef

03/28/2010, 09:27 AM	#6
Lightsluvr Tangaroa to 500 gallons Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 5,855	Piece of cake It's easy to set up. Click on my build thread. I reduced my 1.5" overflow to a barb fitting for 1" tubing to feed the Orca 250. I just use the wedge pipe to tune the skimmer in... Original Install: Recent updates - still feeding the skimmer in the same manner from one of (4) overflows: Works just as well with the Orca 250 ProKit Mod which I added about a month ago... LL __________________ Click on my username and select "Lightsluvr's Home Page" for a recap of our build thread - AGE Hybrid Tank in a 500G system with dedicated fish room. (Takes a few minutes for photos to load) Leave a note if you stop by... Current Tank Info: 350G AGE Hybrid reef tank. 500G+ total water volume. Three sumps for filtration. Barracuda Gold return and Hammerhead Gold closed loop pumps. DIY T5 light system on rails. MP40W x3 to supplement closed loop. 130G Water management system.

03/28/2010, 08:46 AM	#5
trueperc Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Ottawa, On, Canada Posts: 788	WHen I first started with my ocra 250 I had it gravity feed from the dual overflows, the only issue I had was the burping of air that would mess with the foam head, I am not sure it this really hurt performance but I did switch to a feed pump. I would rather had it gravity feed though. Any suggestion on dealing with the burping.