Skimmer Set Up

[bdgrfrisch]

I've seen some skimmer mods on the web where the tank overflow is plumbed directly into the skimmer.
This seam like a good idea, but what are the +s and -s of doing this?

[dakar]

A couple for you...

The pro - protiens are found in greater concentrations near the surface of the water in your display, so by taking this water straight into your skimmer you have a better chance of them being removed quickly.

Cons - getting the proper amount of water flowing through your skimmer by directly plumbing can be quite challenging at best. Keeping it consitant is the key to the best performance.


If you don't want to mess around with trying to direct plumb your overflow into your skimmer instead placing a bucket or somthing similar for your skimmer's intake to reside in your sump and have the overflow deliver water here to be skimmed will yield better performance since the protien concentration will be higher than if you just dumped it into a larger area where they will be dispersed.

[RWalston]

Most skimmers set up that way are Re-Circulating skimmers. They have a separate pump with air injector to make the bubbles. Then your overflow is gravity fed through the skimmer and discharged into your sump. The amount of flow going through your skimmer is then based upon your return pump. If you skimmer is not a Re-Circulating type of skimmer it will not work effectively.

[tileman]

My whole system is fed by my overflow. I have a dart pmp for my return pump so I have plenty of flow and all the equipment are controlled by ball valves .