Position of skimmer/etc in sump

Editour2 · 02/18/2006, 04:20 PM

Hello,
need opinions on the placement of the skimmer, skimmer pump, baffles etc in the sump. I am converting an old Amiricle Wet/Dry System to a sump for my tank, (still not running), see model SL250:

http://www.futurepets.com/cgi-bin/FU...ARTNUM=AMSL50B

Anyway, I have an Aqac C EV120 w/Mag 5, where is the best position for the Mag 5 and the return of the skimmer. Also do I need to add a couple of baffles and where? I have limited space and therefore would like to keep everything contained in the cabinet below the tank, (very restrictive area since the tank is a flat back hex).

My initial plan was to sit the skimmer in the compartment pictured w/out the bioballs w/the mag situated where the bioballs used to be. The tank 1" drainage would be connected to the elbow pictured. I then planned on placing an acrylic baffle in the same area, (where the picture shows the small piece of eggcrate and white filter pad). I then would run an elbow and pvc out of the skimmer gate valve to empty the skimmer out in front of the baffle, (where the white filter pad is pictured). Lastly I was planning on drilling the compartment w/out the bioballs for a bulkhead return to the external pump. Another option would be to locate the skimmer and mag 5 in the bioball compartment. Not sure if I would have a problem with the sloped bottom on the sump in that area.

Any comments/suggestions is welcomed.
Thanks,
Frank

bertoni · 02/20/2006, 09:20 PM

I'd probably put the skimmer where you suggest, but put the output back into the same area as the input to get the maximum bubble-trapping effect.

Depending on where you are, an internal pump might be a better choice. There's less to leak, and personally I find that heating the tank is expensive, so I actually prefer getting the heat from the pump into the tank. Evaporative cooling works well enough for me that I don't want an external pump.

02/18/2006, 04:20 PM	#1
Editour2 Frank Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Suffolk County, NY Posts: 1,907	Position of skimmer/etc in sump Hello, need opinions on the placement of the skimmer, skimmer pump, baffles etc in the sump. I am converting an old Amiricle Wet/Dry System to a sump for my tank, (still not running), see model SL250: http://www.futurepets.com/cgi-bin/FU...ARTNUM=AMSL50B Anyway, I have an Aqac C EV120 w/Mag 5, where is the best position for the Mag 5 and the return of the skimmer. Also do I need to add a couple of baffles and where? I have limited space and therefore would like to keep everything contained in the cabinet below the tank, (very restrictive area since the tank is a flat back hex). My initial plan was to sit the skimmer in the compartment pictured w/out the bioballs w/the mag situated where the bioballs used to be. The tank 1" drainage would be connected to the elbow pictured. I then planned on placing an acrylic baffle in the same area, (where the picture shows the small piece of eggcrate and white filter pad). I then would run an elbow and pvc out of the skimmer gate valve to empty the skimmer out in front of the baffle, (where the white filter pad is pictured). Lastly I was planning on drilling the compartment w/out the bioballs for a bulkhead return to the external pump. Another option would be to locate the skimmer and mag 5 in the bioball compartment. Not sure if I would have a problem with the sloped bottom on the sump in that area. Any comments/suggestions is welcomed. Thanks, Frank

02/20/2006, 09:20 PM	#2
bertoni RC Mod Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA, USA Posts: 88,616	I'd probably put the skimmer where you suggest, but put the output back into the same area as the input to get the maximum bubble-trapping effect. Depending on where you are, an internal pump might be a better choice. There's less to leak, and personally I find that heating the tank is expensive, so I actually prefer getting the heat from the pump into the tank. Evaporative cooling works well enough for me that I don't want an external pump. __________________ Jonathan Bertoni