Place my pump inline with my overflow to skimmer?

[House]

Ok, so I've looked for an answer for this to no avail, so maybe the fine people on R2R have some knowledge to drop on me.

The main question being asked here, is... If I set up a pump from the height of my overflow, pumping down into the skimmer, will it create more pressure from the assistance of gravity, and how much?

So this thought evolved from me trying to make my system as quiet and cost effective to run as possible, meaning low monthly wattage. Planning on a Bean overflow, DC pumps, LED's. The problem was, I have a skimmer I would love to use, but the older technology requires way too many watts to run. I ha e an AquaC EV-1000. I know I could just trade for another skimmer, but I really love the AquaC's. And I can't run a lower watt pump on it since it doesn't have enough head pressure for the product to properly work.
So it got me thinking, if placing the pump above the skimmer, instead of fighting gravity, it would be using it for benefit. The tank overflow will be around 60" above the skimmer input. I'd love to use the new Waveline DC 6000 when they come out, but will this still not create enough umph for this to work?

On a semi related note, how would this effect the Bean style overflow. I would have to add a float valve/shut off switch for the pump if the box lost waterflow. But besides that, i dont see much wrong with it. Add another feature shutting off this pump if the return pump ever failed or is switched off.


So what is your input? Has anyone ever tried something like this before?

 

[House]

Anyone heard of something like this before, and could share some insight?

 

[Otter_rs]

I don't think it would be worth the problems for the small savings in electricity.


Brent \><{{{{*>
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[House]

What do you mean? Could you explain what you mean?

I dont think plumbing a pump higher than normal would be a problem.

 

[mcarroll]

I think the only way you'd do better than a good pump in a correct setup is to have the skimmer and pump both in the tank or to plumb the drain direct to the skimmer box...not too practical or impossible with that skimmer.

I think by plumbing your Herbie's siphon to the skimmer pump's input you can supercharge it with negative head pressure. An interesting setup to test, but I dunno how stable it would be.

-Matt


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[House]

That was the thinking. By plumbing it high creating extra flow pressure directly into the skimmer. I suppose ill have to find a way to test it.

 

[Otter_rs]

Where would you plumb the intake to the pump? In the display or in the sump?


Brent \><{{{{*>
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[House]

I would have my coast overflow box on the inside the display, herbie/bean design plumbing, and on the outside of the tank off of the pvc coming out of the overflow box i would place the pump. From there it would pump the water coming into the pvc inside the overflow box, down into the skimmer sitting in the sump underneath the DT.
If that makes sense.

 

[Otter_rs]

Ok, I think I understand what you want to do. There will be some air being sucked periodically into the skimmer pump then, right? Protein skimmers need to have a very constant water flow and air mixture to work efficiently. I think what you want to do will make the skimmer erratic and difficult to control. I still don't think the potential problems are worth saving the money in electricity.


Brent \><{{{{*>
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