Is it ok....?

[RoryJ]

Is it ok to have a protein skimmer and return pump in the same chamber of W/D filter?

 

[Reeferdood]

I see no issues with that.

 

[Brew12]

Is it ok to have a protein skimmer and return pump in the same chamber of W/D filter?

The biggest issue with having the skimmer and return pump in the same sump section is that the level will change with evaporation. Even with an ATO you may have a problem getting your skimmer dialed in.

 

[RoryJ]

The biggest issue with having the skimmer and return pump in the same sump section is that the level will change with evaporation. Even with an ATO you may have a problem getting your skimmer dialed in.

Would you recommend a separate area for the skimmer?..My sump is only big enough to place skimmer and pump together

 

[sbash]

Would you recommend a separate area for the skimmer?..My sump is only big enough to place skimmer and pump together

Just dial your ATO in so that your water level does not shift a whole lot.

Some ATO setups allow for an inch or so of evaporation (one of your threads, someone posted a picture which looked like two or more inches of evaporation tolerance). This would not be recommended if your skimmer was in this chamber.

Really, one of the major points to having an ATO is to prevent your levels from swinging due to evaporation. Thus, ideally, your ATO is calibrated to avoid this.

 

[ahiggins]

The biggest issue with having the skimmer and return pump in the same sump section is that the level will change with evaporation. Even with an ATO you may have a problem getting your skimmer dialed in.

And the possibility of getting micro bubbles

 

[Brew12]

Would you recommend a separate area for the skimmer?..My sump is only big enough to place skimmer and pump together

I would recommend a separate section for the skimmer. Not saying it can't be done, only that having the skimmer in a separate section is easier.

 

[mountainstatereefer]

Everything I was going to say has been said... Microbubbles and a drop in water level due to evap will cause issues with the skimmer. If you dial in the ATO so water level remains consistent and your not getting microbubbles out of your skimmer, you should be good.

 

[Reeferdood]

So,
after seeing the responses I realized I should have thought about your scenario before replying.
My sump is a 45 gallon breeder without baffles and is equipped with an ATO. Therefore I am able to have the skimmer and return pump in the same chamber if you will. I will do better before offering misleading advise in the future...

 

[Ty Hamatake]

If you're able, you might want to think about a gravity fed ATO with a float valve. This will really help keep your water level very constant. With a most sensors and float valves the water has to drop enough to trip it, then water is pumped in. With a gravity fed float valve, the water is replaced immediately as it evaporates.

 

[sbash]

If you're able, you might want to think about a gravity fed ATO with a float valve. This will really help keep your water level very constant. With a most sensors and float valves the water has to drop enough to trip it, then water is pumped in. With a gravity fed float valve, the water is replaced immediately as it evaporates.

Agreed, I use this method on three different systems and have had very few issues. The only major one I can think of is when the mount for the float valve broke. Granted I was using a PLA mount, no issues since remounting on acrylic. Otherwise, at random intervals I push on them to make sure any salt or slime build up is cleared...

However, this does require the reservoir to be mounted above the sump, so it may not be applicable to a lot of situations.

 

[Ty Hamatake]

However, this does require the reservoir to be mounted above the sump, so it may not be applicable to a lot of situations.

I had to do some fanegaling to get mine to work. I'm also in the process of upgrading my reservoir which will no longer even fit in the stand so I'm going to have to set it up in a cabinet next to it. lol you'd be surprised at how difficult it is to find a stand that's 16" deep that not like 48" wide!

 

[Brew12]

So,
after seeing the responses I realized I should have thought about your scenario before replying.
My sump is a 45 gallon breeder without baffles and is equipped with an ATO. Therefore I am able to have the skimmer and return pump in the same chamber if you will. I will do better before offering misleading advise in the future...

No need to apologize and you were not misleading. We pointed out some of the potential problems with this setup. You have proven that those difficulties can be overcome!