Need Help Sizing Skimmer Cup Drain Line

[Biglurr54]

I am building a skimmate container. I need help sizing the tubing from the skimmer to the container. The skimmer is a Reef Octopus SSS3000. Can I tap the waste cup drain port and add ¼ John Guest fitting and run ¼ (RODI) line to the collection container? I’m worried that ¼ line may not be large enough.

I am currently using a 5 gallon bucket on the floor with a ½ hose. The problem is that it occasionally overflows when the skimmer goes nuts. Its all in the basement and not the end of the world but it’s a point of failure that I want to address. I am building a 2 gallon container that will have a float switch in it that will turn off the skimmer and send me a notification when its full.

 

[Reefnman2]

I think you would be better off going with the 3/8th line which is what I have on my Curve 7

 

[Kyuss414]

Yeah I'd go with 3/8" at least as well. A 1/4" line seems like it will get clogged relatively easy from solids in the collection cup.

They do make john guest fittings in 3/8" & 1/2". I've used the 3/8" with clear PVC tubing I got from Lowes on another project and it sealed fine.

 

[JoshH]

I ran a 1/4 line off my Lifereef skimmer with no issues for 2 years before I took the system down and will be doing the same on my new system.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I'm in full agreement with 3/8, and even with that, you'll have to occasionally pull it off to clean out the sludge that settles in the bottom of the tube. Mine have never actually totally blocked up, but I'd say that I clean this tube once a year. I have a string with a small piece of rag on the end that I pull through the tubing to clean it out.