What is a feed pump for a skimmer?

[Rscott]

I asked a guy from BRS to help me pick out my first skimmer for my potential first tank

He pointed me to this

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-octopus-classic-110-4-in-sump-protein-skimmer.html

I asked why and he said it didnt need a feed pump?

next logical question? Whats a feed pump?

He tried to explain but didnt seem to interested in explaining so here i am asking my R2R family?


I had picked out

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/reef-octopus-classic-150sss-6-internal-space-saving-skimmer.html

He said that doesnt need a feed pump either, which is good

So then i asked for an example of a skimmer that does need a feed pump

and he sent me this

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/regal-200ext-8-recirculating-protein-skimmer-varios-reef-octopus.html


So what the heck is a feed pump?

 

[Potatohead]

You only need a feed pump for a recirculating skimmer. A regular in sump skimmer (the first two) uses one pump that does everything. Because it is sitting in water already it doesn't need a pump to feed water to it*

*There are also in sump recirculating skimmers, but they are sealed off from the surrounding water and do need a feed pump.

90% of people nowadays use a regular internal skimmer.

 

[Rscott]

So a feed pump is for an external skimmer? Why couldnt he just say that ;Meh

 

[Potatohead]

So a feed pump is for an external skimmer? Why couldnt he just say that ;Meh

I edited my post above a bit, but you are mostly right. There are internal recirculating skimmers as well, but they work the same as external ones, they just sit in the sump so you don't have to worry about plumbing feed and return lines to it.

 

[Rscott]

Thanks

I really like BRS but sometimes you can really tell when its late in the day and one of the customer service phone people just wanna go home and are done talking about reefing for the day.

Cant say as I blame them but still.....

 

[JasonK84]

With recirculating skimmers you have the included pump that produces the micro bubbles. The feed pump that you must buy is only for water flow rate through the skimmer.

You have individual control over each pump so you can truly dial in each and produce a better skim. I was going to try a recirculating skimmer with this last build but decided against it. Therefore I can't advise for against. I ended up getting the RO 200int skimmer.