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Hi guys
I need to make a decision on how best to feed my skimmer. The tank I’m setting up is a 120g 4x2x2 with a center overflow. The return pump (Pan World 150) is only pumping back a little over 600 gph through 5 outlets. 4 in tank and 1 into a little 20g frag tank which drains back into the main tank. I have a stream in the tank for additional flow. The overflow has (2) 1 ½” drains. I can think of 3 ways that I can set this up.
1) I can come off one of the overflow pipes and plumb up and over the side of the sump (29g) to a ball valve to regulate water to the skimmer. I figure that I will get about 300-400 gph of water flow but I will also get a lot of larger bubbles which may impair the skimmer performance.
2) I can use the line that goes to the frag tank to feed the skimmer which is easy to do but I will further cut down the flow that goes to the returns unless I get a bigger pump. (I don’t really want to get a bigger pump because of the extra electricity).
3) Just get a feed pump.
I know that any of the listed can feed the skimmer I am just wondering which is best. I like #1 but worry about the larger bubbles reeking havoc with any foam that forms.
Any suggestions or constructive comments are welcome.
BTW The skimmer is a Deltec 851.
Thanks
Colin
I need to make a decision on how best to feed my skimmer. The tank I’m setting up is a 120g 4x2x2 with a center overflow. The return pump (Pan World 150) is only pumping back a little over 600 gph through 5 outlets. 4 in tank and 1 into a little 20g frag tank which drains back into the main tank. I have a stream in the tank for additional flow. The overflow has (2) 1 ½” drains. I can think of 3 ways that I can set this up.
1) I can come off one of the overflow pipes and plumb up and over the side of the sump (29g) to a ball valve to regulate water to the skimmer. I figure that I will get about 300-400 gph of water flow but I will also get a lot of larger bubbles which may impair the skimmer performance.
2) I can use the line that goes to the frag tank to feed the skimmer which is easy to do but I will further cut down the flow that goes to the returns unless I get a bigger pump. (I don’t really want to get a bigger pump because of the extra electricity).
3) Just get a feed pump.
I know that any of the listed can feed the skimmer I am just wondering which is best. I like #1 but worry about the larger bubbles reeking havoc with any foam that forms.
Any suggestions or constructive comments are welcome.
BTW The skimmer is a Deltec 851.
Thanks
Colin
I like a good buffer incase something goes wrong and when I do upgrade the tank I won’t have to replace it. The most practical solution I guess would be to just get a good feed pump although I would have liked to have stayed away from another pump.
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