Skimmer In Sump - Water Level Question

[cccharliecc]

Hi,
I have my skimmer in the sump as shown in the picture… Just a question about the water level and the valve for the skimmer.
Does the water level need to be below that valve opening?

Currently the baffles are set up for a 7 inch water level and the bottom of that valve opening is at 8 inches.

 

[Pockets]

the skimmer should have a water height recommendation usually you see 7 to 10 inches of water range. look up the specs for that skimmer and it will get you going in the right direction. I have a vertex 130 and I ran the water level slightly above the outlet. but there all alittle different how they respond to water height.

 

[cccharliecc]

So the water height could/should be in that valve opening somewhere? If so I am in trouble because my baffle is at 7''
I think the Reef Octopus I have says 8''-10''...but if my water level is 7'' what will happen?

 

[Pockets]

your baffle might be to low. imo you wanna set your baffles higher specially if its fixed and cant be adjusted that way you can raise the skimmer with a stand if need be. so if your skimmer requires 8 or 9 inches to peak perform than your in trouble.

 

[Pockets]

it wont skim to its best potential.

 

[ndrwater]

I have a SRO skimmer too. If memory serves, 7 1/2" water level is recommended. I also added a 45° fitting to the outlet of the skimmer to keep noise and salt creep to a minimum
The 45° find gets the outlet below the water level in the sump

 

[Pockets]

but it might perform fine at 7. some say run at 7 to 10 inches and they perform just fine at the minimum. fire it up and let it run see how it goes. for a week or two and if its not performing then youll wanna look into raising that baffle somehow.

 

[cccharliecc]

So I can add a 45 fitting on the gate valve and it should solve the issue if there is one?

Also I can remove that gate valve...its not glued.....do you think if its not performing good, can I cut the pipe a 1/2'' or 1''?

 

[ndrwater]

So I can add a 45 fitting on the gate valve and it should solve the issue if there is one?

Also I can remove that gate valve...its not glued.....do you think if its not performing good, can I cut the pipe a 1/2'' or 1''?

The 45° fitting is just to get the outlet below the sump water level to reduce noise and salt creep from splashing water. It doesn't affect the performance of the skimmer OR the required water level for the skimmer to function at it's best. The skimmer will still work if the water level isn't as high as recommended, but... It won't perform as well as it can. If the water level is lower than recommended, and you subsequently have to adjust the gate valve to make the internal water level higher, the skimmer becomes a bit finicky and can either overflow or under skim.
Check the instructions to see the recommended water level. If necessary, you can add a taller baffle to get the correct water level required.
SRO skimmers work great. Just make sure to get the exterior water level as close to the manufacturer recommendation as possible

 

[cccharliecc]

What would be the easiest way to raise up my baffle an inch? Do you think I can cut some acrylic and silicone it on the current baffle.....Like cut a 3'' strip by the width of the sump and then silicone 2'' on the current baffle and go up an inch above the current baffle so I have 2'' of acrylic siliconed to the baffle.

Make sense?

 

[ndrwater]

What would be the easiest way to raise up my baffle an inch? Do you think I can cut some acrylic and silicone it on the current baffle.....Like cut a 3'' strip by the width of the sump and then silicone 2'' on the current baffle and go up an inch above the current baffle so I have 2'' of acrylic siliconed to the baffle.

Make sense?

You have the idea yes. I would make a suggestion though. If at all possible, use glass to add additional height to the existing baffle. Silicone doesn't stick well to acrylic/glass long term. Silicone to glass/glass works way better.

 

[cccharliecc]

The existing baffle is acrylic.
I have an old acrylic box I can cut up and then maybe use the solvent to bond them in place.

 

[ndrwater]

That would definitely work!!

 

[ndrwater]

Was just looking at BRS and the specs for the SRO 2000. Before you get all DIY, the recommended water height is 6-6 1/2". Just make sure you have the correct water height and all will be right with the world

 

[cccharliecc]

Maybe I should run it for a bit and see what happens.
My only thing is, once I get running, if I bond the acrylic, how long do I need to shut down my tank for the acrylic to cure/be ready for water in the sump?

 

[ndrwater]

Quick Google search came up with 24 hours. It continues to strengthen the further out the timeframe is.

 

[cccharliecc]

I guess if I run with it as is and then need to add height I can do it, I’ll just run the power heads and an air stone in the tank until the acrylic cures.

 

[keithdoc]

I have similar setup with 45 on end and small 1" extension (to minimize splash/sound from return back into sump)

Wondering if you have any issue now with that SRO-2000, randomly overflowing?

I've never been able to keep it in any sump with more than 6" of water.

 

[cccharliecc]

I dont get much overflow anymore, I had to raise it in my sump though, it now sits at 6 1/4'' of water.
I also built this to eliminate splashing and noise.