Help thinking of External skimmer and feeding via one of my 2 overflows to it??

mattls · 12/06/2006, 03:27 PM

I am thinking of going with an external skimmer. I have a 120aga with dual Mega flows I was planning to feed the skimmer which I want to put under tank via one of the overflows and then having the output of skimmer empty into the sump which is behind the wall that my tank is on. Couple of ?? and would appreciate input from external skimmer users.

1) Is this idea o.k.??
2) Not to familiar with external skimmers so how would the water go out the output of skimmer and into my sump??
3) would the ouput or height of skimmer need to be a certain way so tha it can output into sump ?
4) Is this to much flow going into skimmer?? (MEga flow rated for 600gph) If so what should do to slow flow into skimmer without screwing up the flow of overflow.

Skimmer will be an ER,H&S, or Deltec. not sure yet.

Please help.

lvpd186 · 12/06/2006, 03:43 PM

I have seen other people do this in other threads so it can def. work. Instead of attaching the overflow directly to the skimmer you should use a tee and a ball valve so you could regulate the flow through the skimmer (600gph would probably be too much). As for your other questions I'm sure the output of your skimmer would have to be above the sump since gravity is how the water leaves the skimmer (more or less).

Jim_S · 12/06/2006, 03:56 PM

Yeah, IMO, this is the best way to go.

You want to feed around 1-1.5 times the system volume.

Here is how I did mine:

You can see up top where I T'd off the drain. You can't see where it meets the skimmer body because its behind the skimmer exhaust, but it connects there with a 90.

Cheers,

Jim

mattls · 12/06/2006, 08:29 PM

Thanks for the info guys it clarified everything for me.

Jim thats the setup I am going to try and do. Thanks for the pics it helped a lot.

Jim_S · 12/06/2006, 08:55 PM

No prob!

Jim

12/06/2006, 03:27 PM	#1
mattls Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 452	Help thinking of External skimmer and feeding via one of my 2 overflows to it?? I am thinking of going with an external skimmer. I have a 120aga with dual Mega flows I was planning to feed the skimmer which I want to put under tank via one of the overflows and then having the output of skimmer empty into the sump which is behind the wall that my tank is on. Couple of ?? and would appreciate input from external skimmer users. 1) Is this idea o.k.?? 2) Not to familiar with external skimmers so how would the water go out the output of skimmer and into my sump?? 3) would the ouput or height of skimmer need to be a certain way so tha it can output into sump ? 4) Is this to much flow going into skimmer?? (MEga flow rated for 600gph) If so what should do to slow flow into skimmer without screwing up the flow of overflow. Skimmer will be an ER,H&S, or Deltec. not sure yet. Please help.

12/06/2006, 03:43 PM	#2
lvpd186 Reefing in NE Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Papillion, NE Posts: 1,485	I have seen other people do this in other threads so it can def. work. Instead of attaching the overflow directly to the skimmer you should use a tee and a ball valve so you could regulate the flow through the skimmer (600gph would probably be too much). As for your other questions I'm sure the output of your skimmer would have to be above the sump since gravity is how the water leaves the skimmer (more or less). __________________ "A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice." Bill Cosby

12/06/2006, 03:56 PM	#3
Jim_S Timo Boll Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 5,333	Yeah, IMO, this is the best way to go. You want to feed around 1-1.5 times the system volume. Here is how I did mine: You can see up top where I T'd off the drain. You can't see where it meets the skimmer body because its behind the skimmer exhaust, but it connects there with a 90. Cheers, Jim __________________ We will survive in this world of competition, shooting guns and our ammunition... Bradley Nowell Current Tank Info: We're recreating the ocean in our livings rooms. With that said, I've had some ups and downs.

12/06/2006, 08:55 PM	#5
Jim_S Timo Boll Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 5,333	No prob! Jim __________________ We will survive in this world of competition, shooting guns and our ammunition... Bradley Nowell Current Tank Info: We're recreating the ocean in our livings rooms. With that said, I've had some ups and downs.

12/06/2006, 08:29 PM	#4
mattls Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: New Jersey Posts: 452	Thanks for the info guys it clarified everything for me. Jim thats the setup I am going to try and do. Thanks for the pics it helped a lot.