Ideas for raising skimmer in "tote" sump

BummersReef · Aug 8, 2016

really dumb question but better to ask then regret it later ...

we use a 100 gallon "horse trough" for our sump and it has maybe 60 gallons in it so water level is fairly high. We have a 3 week old (new) eshopps 150 skimmer and can not get it adjusted so bubbles fall in right spot (it's overflowing like crazy) I know it just needs to be raised up in sump but I can't think of what to sit it on that won't tip etc. a plastic tub turned upside down just isn't heavy enough - it wants to float up - and things like bricks I worry will add bad ... chemicals ... to the tank.
any ideas?
maybe a turned over clay pot? has that got anything bad in it?
told you it was a stupid question!

jpontier212 · Aug 8, 2016

BummersReef said:
really dumb question but better to ask then regret it later ...

we use a 100 gallon "horse trough" for our sump and it has maybe 60 gallons in it so water level is fairly high. We have a 3 week old (new) eshopps 150 skimmer and can not get it adjusted so bubbles fall in right spot (it's overflowing like crazy) I know it just needs to be raised up in sump but I can't think of what to sit it on that won't tip etc. a plastic tub turned upside down just isn't heavy enough - it wants to float up - and things like bricks I worry will add bad ... chemicals ... to the tank.
any ideas?
maybe a turned over clay pot? has that got anything bad in it?
told you it was a stupid question!

Not a stupid question. The only stupid question is the one you don't ask and stay in doubt. But what i would do is try to make a platform out of egg crate/light difusser and some cable ties. Fairly inexpensive and won't float your skimmer. Also check online for the proper height of water it's supposed to be sitting in. Good luck [emoji2]

BummersReef · Aug 8, 2016

jpontier212 said:
Not a stupid question. The only stupid question is the one you don't ask and stay in doubt. But what i would do is try to make a platform out of egg crate/light difusser and some cable ties. Fairly inexpensive and won't float your skimmer. Also check online for the proper height of water it's supposed to be sitting in. Good luck [emoji2]

isn't egg crate kind of lightweight? can't figure how I'd get it to sit down nice and firm ... but I will check it out at Home Depot or whatever - I am not very handy! lol

DracoKat · Aug 8, 2016

I have mine sitting on egg crate. some people make boxes out of them. I layered mine and held them together with zip ties. Skimmer holds it down and it doesn't float

BummersReef · Aug 8, 2016

got it ... sounds like just the ticket ... EGG CRATE!

jsker · Aug 8, 2016

Milk create, and cut it down to where you need it.

BummersReef · Aug 8, 2016

ahhh ... yeah that might work even better as I have to get it pretty high. duhh .. should have thunk of that. hubby will have a thingie to cut it I'm sure

Purpule Tang · Aug 8, 2016

I using from acrylic sheet for increase height of skimmer in my sump and really good working.

BummersReef · Aug 9, 2016

What I don't understand is why it worked fine for the first few weeks? Water level was pretty much the same. But I am sure it needs to be raised ... I just don't get it

smokin'reefer · Aug 9, 2016

Marinepure blocks work good and you get dual purpose. Bit pricey though.

BummersReef · Aug 9, 2016

smokin'reefer said:
Marinepure blocks work good and you get dual purpose. Bit pricey though.

Holy cow I just checked prices on that as it seems ideal but OUCH!

smokin'reefer · Aug 9, 2016

BummersReef said:
Holy cow I just checked prices on that as it seems ideal but OUCH!

I didn't need to raise mine as much as yours. When you mentioned bricks I thought I would share as an outside option. I used smaller plastic magazine rack and then egg crate first with no problems.