Run skimmer from overflow to save electricity? Thoughts??

ahub421 · Sep 5, 2012

I'm working on switching over to a counter current air stone style skimmer outside of a refugium, they are supposed to need low flow so it hit me that maybe I could just use the free pressure coming from down my overflow by putting a T and valve(s) before it drops into the filter sock then out of the skimmer into the sock in case anything doesn't get skimmed. I can't see a down side but can you??

Up side would be no expense of a new pump, plus the juice to run it over time, save me from making a screen for the pump in the refugium, more grow space in there too, less draw on my power back up Tampa being the lightning capitol of the USA.

Thoughts?

cymaster007 · Sep 5, 2012

This is a good method, lots of people have used it in the past. look up "gravity feed skimmer"
you will have to size the inlet and outlet pipes correctly but that is about it

revhtree · Sep 5, 2012

Yes this works well if you can get the proper amount of water coming from the overflow and through the skimmer. Make sure and add a ball valve to be able to control the volume of water. Is this a single or dual overflow that you have?

jdpiii3 · Sep 5, 2012

I do this on my system, I have a ball valve to control the amount of water entering the skimmer and then the discharge from the skimmer runs to the filter sock chamber in my sump.

Pappy · Sep 5, 2012

Following this and look forward to pics and maybe video!

redtop03 · Sep 6, 2012

only issue is during a restart of your return pump,it takes the water flow through the skimmer a few minutes to level out and back to skimming properly but it is the best method to get the surface water directly to the skimmer,the skimmer will be more effective/efficient

ahub421 · Sep 9, 2012

Helps if one can imagine the right words to search! "gravity feed skimmer"- thanks for that tip.

I have a single overflow.

Great these can work, less is way more as there are already more than enough hungry snakes under the tank. Gotta love less energy use and a cheaper buy in.

So the only issues I see now are

Ball valve, having broken several red handeled home depot plastic crap valves, are the all brass valves the way to go?

Plumbing the T so the skimmer gets only water and the sock gets the air & excess overflow water without a lot of noise isn't clear to me. Sweeping T, straight T, sloping with T pointed up, then dumping into the sock under the water level??? I am assuiming feeding the skimmer only water will help it stay in adjustment.

Thanks to all who take their time to help!!

Arnold

orthokardia · Sep 9, 2012

i run that way and works great. might consider a needlewheel over an airstone though? just a thought........

Troylee · Sep 9, 2012

Makes a skimmer perform poorly honestly.... Using a drain like that works but it also creates turbulence inside the skimmer body... Increased turbulence will kill a foam head and make it not perform well... Does it work?? Yes but!!!! Not as well as a pump.. Just my 2

LegoZ81 · Sep 10, 2012

Troylee said:
Makes a skimmer perform poorly honestly.... Using a drain like that works but it also creates turbulence inside the skimmer body... Increased turbulence will kill a foam head and make it not perform well... Does it work?? Yes but!!!! Not as well as a pump.. Just my 2

I agree with Troylee on this 100% I have tried this in the past and it did not end up working well unfortunately

Seems like a great idea and seems like you would get the most concentrated waste but a pump just tends to be the best way to go.

ahub421 · Sep 10, 2012

OK well it's great to hear from guys who have tried it. Would Troylee and LegoZ81 think it might have worked for them if the surging issue was resolved? I ask this because the pro airstone counter current gravity feed article (link below) speaks about going low flow so my guess is in my case only a smallish amount of my overflow's volume would be going into the skimmer so plumbing design may be able to help with surging.

Skimmer Design 101

majicmike · Sep 10, 2012

This is my set up feed from the over flow to do away with the need for 2 pumps. Notice the ball valve in the feed pipe.

OurReef · Sep 10, 2012

[QUOTE

Ball valve, having broken several red handeled home depot plastic crap valves, are the all brass valves the way to go?

Arnold[/QUOTE]

I have been told brass or lead is bad for salt water, both will eventually rust or decay also leaches metals into your tank.

Gate valves although harder to find are a better way to go when trying to control water flow.

chadfarmer · Sep 10, 2012

OurReef said:
[QUOTE

Ball valve, having broken several red handeled home depot plastic crap valves, are the all brass valves the way to go?

Arnold

I have been told brass or lead is bad for salt water, both will eventually rust or decay also leaches metals into your tank.

no lead or brass (if you want everything dead dont use)

Gate valves although harder to find are a better way to go when trying to control water flow.[/QUOTE]

Troylee · Sep 11, 2012

ahub421 said:
OK well it's great to hear from guys who have tried it. Would Troylee and LegoZ81 think it might have worked for them if the surging issue was resolved? I ask this because the pro airstone counter current gravity feed article (link below) speaks about going low flow so my guess is in my case only a smallish amount of my overflow's volume would be going into the skimmer so plumbing design may be able to help with surging.

Skimmer Design 101

Never had a surging issue... I run a full siphon and always will... The problem lies in the overflow not being constant... A power head breaking the surface, your hand in the tank, a piece of algae slowing the overflow etc.... Way to many variables and problems.... It cost pennies to run a maxijet 1200 feed pump per month... Honestly no reason not to use a pump...