Inquiry: Skimmer

Panathas · May 22, 2017

Hi All,

I have a 75 gallon sump pump with 4 compartments. Starting from the left which is compartment 1 i have my filter bag, second compartment i have my skimmer which has the pump and then the return water from skimmer that goes into the same compartment 2 which is the skimmer. Should i leave it like that or should the out water from skimmer go into compartment 4 which is the return pump?

The third compartment has my submerge heater, LR and cheato. 4 Compartment return pump and my PH and Heater probe.

Is this a good way or should i change it

ReeferBob · May 22, 2017

There really isn't an "out" water per se for a skimmer. I don't know of a skimmer that would allow you to do this. That said, everyone I know puts the skimmer in a compartment and let's it do its thing.

A hang on back might allow you to separate out the input and output.

Your designs sounds fine.

Panathas · May 22, 2017

I have the deltec. So leaving the incoming pump and out pipe in the same compartment is ok?

Smo · May 22, 2017

Typically, skimmers discharge to the sump compartment they are placed in. Could create a problem if it discharges to a compartment with a different water level. How is the skimmer working and how is your water quality?

redfishbluefish · May 22, 2017

Your arrangement is just fine. You didn't mention compartment sizes, which could potentially change my mind.

Some might also state that the refugium should come before the skimmer compartment so that your cheato (or whatever macro algae you have) has first shot at the DT water. My thought is that skimmers are so poor in removing unbound phosphates/nitrates that it doesn't matter.