Can skimmer and return pump go in the same compartment?

[Kyle Seeley]

Low on space and its the only place for it to go. Is it possible?

 

[Barb Hillson]

I have had mine set up like that for 1.5 years with no problems. Hopefully I am running them right.

 

[recess62]

The issue I see is that the water level in the return compartment is not constant. Fluctuations in water level will affect the skimmers preformance. Skimmers are usually placed in a compartment with a constant water level

 

[Kyle Seeley]

Well, here is my set up. Like I said, very crammed! Hoping everything will work right once I get the tank running.

 

[Kyle Seeley]

Just wasn't sure if the pump for the skimmer would affect the water going into the return..

 

[CarrieB]

I think theoretically you might get bubbles going back into your tank?

 

[Kyle Seeley]

Hi Carrie, I'm planning on running some type of pad like I have on the skimmer return on my return pipe since it is just pvc. Do you think there is still a chance?

 

[CarrieB]

Hi Carrie, I'm planning on running some type of pad like I have on the skimmer return on my return pipe since it is just pvc. Do you think there is still a chance?

I don't have any real experience, so I don't know. However, if you don't have space, you might as well try it. You can run it with just water in the tank and see what happens.

 

[Fudsey]

I have run a skimmer and my return in the same compartment for years. The trick is that you have to constantly adjust your skimmer, basically daily, to keep it pulling out junk. I only recently put in a baffle to try and alleviate that. Only problem now is return is so small I have to add water daily whereas before it was about every 5 days. Before, I used a couple pieces of plexiglass to divert the skimmer return away from the return pump as best as I could to reduce bubbles.

 

[Philip Chin]

I have no issues.

 

[Steve Tobias]

My only thought is that the skimmer is not given ample opportunity to remove extra nutrients before the return pump moves unwanted debris back into the display tank. Can you create any type of separation between the two with a piece of acrylic or baffle? The debris will settle and ultimately be pulled through the skimmer pump. I would let it over flow from the skimmer compartment into some type of return pump compartment. It is only my opinion and others have the experience to suggest it works.

 

[jdl513]

Someone mentioned water level earlier. This is the biggest issue in my opinion. Do you have a reliable/sensitive ATO?

If the ATO can keep the water level constant the skimmer should operate normally.

 

[Kyle Seeley]

Thanks for all the replies! And yes I do plan on getting an ATO just not right away, they are a bit pricey!