Internal Skimmer as External

[D_Reep1106]

Hey all, I was thinking about it and what would some smarter people than me or maybe someones tried this. What about running an internal skimmer as an eternal. So hear me out, I was looking at running a reef Octopus Regal 300INT as an external skimmer. Running one of my overflows to the intake of the pump so it would be gravity fed so no real pressure but plenty of flow and draining it by gravity down into my sump. I have plenty of overflows to compensate for any extra flow that is backed up if the skimmer doesn't intake what the skimmer pulls out. any thought besides it being sealed enough not to leak?

 

[ca1ore]

Unfamiliar with that particular skimmer. All the internals I have used would leak like a sieve if used externally.

 

[rockskimmerflow]

Hey all, I was thinking about it and what would some smarter people than me or maybe someones tried this. What about running an internal skimmer as an eternal. So hear me out, I was looking at running a reef Octopus Regal 300INT as an external skimmer. Running one of my overflows to the intake of the pump so it would be gravity fed so no real pressure but plenty of flow and draining it by gravity down into my sump. I have plenty of overflows to compensate for any extra flow that is backed up if the skimmer doesn't intake what the skimmer pulls out. any thought besides it being sealed enough not to leak?

I don't think it's going to be as simple as it sounds. The design of the skimmer just isn't suited for being run out of water and likely won't function in a stable or useful manner. Best to invest in a skimmer that's designed to be run externally to have a chance to get one working well. I won't stop you from trying it with the 300INT because trying new things is half the fun of most hobbies, but I wouldn't have high hopes if you do decide to give it a shot. Best of luck!

 

[DCR]

Aside from the skimmer leakage issue, the head pressure from the tank will absolutely destroy the air draw of the venturi on the skimmer. It would be like running the skimmer section of the sump with a couple of feet of water level in it.