Feed pump for skimmer?

glenlikes_stuff · 07/23/2011, 09:44 PM

Hi, I'm going to purchase the Skimz SK222 which is rated for tanks 800L - 2000L.

http://www.skimz.sg/products/protein...age/sk222.html

Feed rate is maximum 2000 l/h.

My tank is a 130 gallon predator tank.

What size feed pump should I be using?

What I've found so far is that it's suggested 1.5-2.5 turnover of your tanks volume but if the maximum feed rate for this skimmer is 2000 l/h wouldnt I just be better off going with the maximum?

Thanks

moonpod · 07/24/2011, 12:26 AM

try to plumb your overflow so it directly feeds the skimmer. Then the push through the overflow sorta determines flow rate. the skimmer takes 3/4" hose on the inlet (eheim 19/27 is basically 3/4"). So the max you can gravity flow in is about 300 gph. 1500 l/h or so. Leave it at that.

glenlikes_stuff · 07/24/2011, 12:30 AM

Hi I don't have an overflow / sump. The unit is external so must be fed by a pump. So 1500 l/h pump will be ok or can I use a 2000 l/h?

moonpod · 07/24/2011, 12:39 AM

Huh. No overflow or sump huh? Well. In that case...I would go with something around 1500 l/h. 2000 represents sorta the max the thing can handle. How are you arranging the skimmer relative to the tank?

glenlikes_stuff · 07/24/2011, 01:42 AM

Well I have an AquaGrande 180 so the protein skimmer will be in the cabinet underneath the tank with the pump feeding it through the hose.

Is this OK?

moonpod · 07/24/2011, 02:07 AM

The skimmer outlet can't flow "uphill"

glenlikes_stuff · 07/24/2011, 06:16 AM

Oh wow... thanks, I had no idea! That's frustrating... hmm now need to work out what to do.

moonpod · 07/24/2011, 10:19 AM

Simple option: Get a hang on overflow with one inch drain. Set up a simple sump. 10-20 gallon tank/tub. Just make sure big enough for skimmer. Change to an internal skimmer and buy a return pump that will flow about 4-500 gph

glenlikes_stuff · 07/25/2011, 07:31 AM

Hi, thx for the advice. Do you think this skimmer would be strong enough for a predator tank?

http://www.aquariumproducts.com.au/c...=3496&catID=46

moonpod · 07/25/2011, 07:54 AM

philosophical question. For a predator tank you want as big of a skimmer as you can place in your system because typically the tanks are a nutrient soup from being heavily fed. that being said, predators also tend to be more "tolerant" of high nitrates etc....Given that you seem to be going sumpless, it's a reasonable option. I'd troll the used for sale forum for one. You will get a much better deal. Also specifically ask about HOB skimmers. I dunno if something better than that deltec has come along or not. I don't keep up with HOB units and that deltec was the shiznit when it came out, but thats 5+ years ago.

moonpod · 07/25/2011, 07:55 AM

http://www.aquacave.com/super-reef-o...mmer-2995.html

for instance maybe better bang for buck? I got no idea.

07/23/2011, 09:44 PM	#1
glenlikes_stuff Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 87	Feed pump for skimmer? Hi, I'm going to purchase the Skimz SK222 which is rated for tanks 800L - 2000L. http://www.skimz.sg/products/protein...age/sk222.html Feed rate is maximum 2000 l/h. My tank is a 130 gallon predator tank. What size feed pump should I be using? What I've found so far is that it's suggested 1.5-2.5 turnover of your tanks volume but if the maximum feed rate for this skimmer is 2000 l/h wouldnt I just be better off going with the maximum? Thanks

07/24/2011, 12:26 AM	#2
moonpod Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: B.H., Los Angeles Posts: 13,053	try to plumb your overflow so it directly feeds the skimmer. Then the push through the overflow sorta determines flow rate. the skimmer takes 3/4" hose on the inlet (eheim 19/27 is basically 3/4"). So the max you can gravity flow in is about 300 gph. 1500 l/h or so. Leave it at that. __________________ Excuses are just the nails for the house of failure. Current Tank Info: 32" Leemar starfire cube now empty and not quite so stinky

07/24/2011, 12:39 AM	#4
moonpod Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: B.H., Los Angeles Posts: 13,053	Huh. No overflow or sump huh? Well. In that case...I would go with something around 1500 l/h. 2000 represents sorta the max the thing can handle. How are you arranging the skimmer relative to the tank? __________________ Excuses are just the nails for the house of failure. Current Tank Info: 32" Leemar starfire cube now empty and not quite so stinky

07/24/2011, 02:07 AM	#6
moonpod Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: B.H., Los Angeles Posts: 13,053	The skimmer outlet can't flow "uphill" __________________ Excuses are just the nails for the house of failure. Current Tank Info: 32" Leemar starfire cube now empty and not quite so stinky

07/24/2011, 10:19 AM	#8
moonpod Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: B.H., Los Angeles Posts: 13,053	Simple option: Get a hang on overflow with one inch drain. Set up a simple sump. 10-20 gallon tank/tub. Just make sure big enough for skimmer. Change to an internal skimmer and buy a return pump that will flow about 4-500 gph __________________ Excuses are just the nails for the house of failure. Current Tank Info: 32" Leemar starfire cube now empty and not quite so stinky

07/24/2011, 12:30 AM	#3
glenlikes_stuff Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 87	Hi I don't have an overflow / sump. The unit is external so must be fed by a pump. So 1500 l/h pump will be ok or can I use a 2000 l/h?

07/24/2011, 01:42 AM	#5
glenlikes_stuff Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 87	Well I have an AquaGrande 180 so the protein skimmer will be in the cabinet underneath the tank with the pump feeding it through the hose. Is this OK?

07/24/2011, 06:16 AM	#7
glenlikes_stuff Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 87	Oh wow... thanks, I had no idea! That's frustrating... hmm now need to work out what to do.

07/25/2011, 07:31 AM	#9
glenlikes_stuff Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 87	Hi, thx for the advice. Do you think this skimmer would be strong enough for a predator tank? http://www.aquariumproducts.com.au/c...=3496&catID=46

07/25/2011, 07:54 AM	#10
moonpod Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: B.H., Los Angeles Posts: 13,053	philosophical question. For a predator tank you want as big of a skimmer as you can place in your system because typically the tanks are a nutrient soup from being heavily fed. that being said, predators also tend to be more "tolerant" of high nitrates etc....Given that you seem to be going sumpless, it's a reasonable option. I'd troll the used for sale forum for one. You will get a much better deal. Also specifically ask about HOB skimmers. I dunno if something better than that deltec has come along or not. I don't keep up with HOB units and that deltec was the shiznit when it came out, but thats 5+ years ago. __________________ Excuses are just the nails for the house of failure. Current Tank Info: 32" Leemar starfire cube now empty and not quite so stinky

07/25/2011, 07:55 AM	#11
moonpod Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: B.H., Los Angeles Posts: 13,053	http://www.aquacave.com/super-reef-o...mmer-2995.html for instance maybe better bang for buck? I got no idea. __________________ Excuses are just the nails for the house of failure. Current Tank Info: 32" Leemar starfire cube now empty and not quite so stinky

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