180 Build Thread
- Thread starter palvyre
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pickupman66
5000 Club Member
Looking good man. I wanted to do two islands with my rock but it just didn't turn out that way ...
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revhtree
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My Tank Thread
My Aquarium Showcase
- Joined
- May 8, 2006
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Thank God for buddies who can plumb! I have one too! LOL!
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palvyre
Valuable Member
Turns out the external skimmer does need a feed pump. Their description online is confusing. Contacted the vendor about what kind of flow it needs. Hoping around 500 gph. If so, I am going to run my UV filter and skimmer in-line.
poolkeeper1
Valuable Member
Most external skimmers only need around 300 gph fed from the feed pump, The slower flow allows for more contact time in the skimmer thus more effeciant. Open the wedge pipe all the way open and get the feed going then adjust the bubble height to your needs and you should be set. Hope this helps...
Bill
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palvyre
Valuable Member
Called the manufacturer in Canada and they recommended 500 gph while maintaining and 750 gph while cycling the tank. So I just ordered a 750 gph pump and the aqua UV 57-watt sterilizer. Going to plumb then in line with a ball valve so I can adjust flow.
poolkeeper1
Valuable Member
Contact time is what makes skimmers work, Having never heard of that brand nor knowing nothing about them i would be suprised if running water that fast will get good results. And different flow rates while cycling, Never heard of such a thing or why you would want to! Did they give you any facts as to why to do this and for what reasons?
Running a skimmer and UV together will gurantee nothing leaves alive, Good or bad! This may be better as a if needed running the UV only if there is reason to do so. JMHO
Bill
pickupman66
5000 Club Member
I agree with bill 
it would be better if you could run the UV seperate from the Skimmer. Run one without the other. Flow rates are different and if u move water too fast thru UV its basically just another light as far as effectiveness.
Sent from my SCH-I905 using Tapatalk 2
it would be better if you could run the UV seperate from the Skimmer. Run one without the other. Flow rates are different and if u move water too fast thru UV its basically just another light as far as effectiveness. Sent from my SCH-I905 using Tapatalk 2
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palvyre
Valuable Member
The manufacturer of the skimmer claimed 500 gph was the ideal rate for their skimmer. It also happens to be the rate I wanted to run for my UV, so running in line will be perfect. I have a refuge in my sump a chamber past the UV and skimmer, so critters will continuously get pushed to the display without being nuked by the UV.
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palvyre
Valuable Member
Had to deal with my returns today, they weren't sealing properly due to being pushed on by the way I did the plumbing. I ended up ripping out the return plumbing and redoing some of it so that it wouldn't leak. Still need a buddy of mine to come over and push the vinyl hose onto the barbed bulkheads, I can't get enough leverage in there to do it.
Dowtish
5000 Club Member
I wouldnt use silicone. I tried that and it still leaked. You need a bulkhead wrench to tighten them just a little more than hand tight. Kevan(Toxic) has one. i'm sure he would let you borrow it.
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palvyre
Valuable Member
I have one of those tools and still can't get it. Don't suppose anyone who has a bunch of experience getting these things in properly would be willing to come over and help out this evening.
