I need an outlet "delay"?

[MoshJosh]

The water level in my skimmer chamber (sump only has one chamber haha) rises when I turn of the return pump off for feeding. I connected the skimmer to the return pump outlet/switch so the skimmer isn't running when the water level rises, however, when I turn the pumps and the skimmer back on the skimmer often overflows in the time it takes the water levels to fall back to normal. Is there such thing as an outlet "delay" where I can flip the on switch for my pumps but there is a delay before the skimmer kicks on (just long enough for the water level to fall). . .

 

[kbnh]

Do you have a controller on your system already?

 

[snackpack]

The water level in my skimmer chamber (sump only has one chamber haha) rises when I turn of the return pump off for feeding. I connected the skimmer to the return pump outlet/switch so the skimmer isn't running when the water level rises, however, when I turn the pumps and the skimmer back on the skimmer often overflows in the time it takes the water levels to fall back to normal. Is there such thing as an outlet "delay" where I can flip the on switch for my pumps but there is a delay before the skimmer kicks on (just long enough for the water level to fall). . .

Protein Skimmer Delay Timer

Protein Skimmer Delay Timer Cheap Insurance from Skimmer Overflows Necessity on recirculating external skimmers Recommended for all skimmers of any type Installation Place the Delay timer box in a dry location away from water Plug skimmer Pump(s) plug into the Delay Timer socket Insert the...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[MoshJosh]

Do you have a controller on your system already?

No hahah!

May I direct you to this picture of my set up:

 

[kbnh]

That delay timer receptacle would seem like your best bet

 

[coralnutz]

Imo, your much better off getting a sump with multiple chambers so your water level doesn't change in the skimmer area. I get what your trying to do, but seems like a bandaid instead of a fix and prone to failure. Just my $0.02. Could probably get a cheap 20 gallon tank and some plexiglass for dividers cheaper or as cheap as what your trying to do.

Best of luck with your setup.

 

[ryanjohn1]

That “sump” makes me so uncomfortable. Lol

 

[MoshJosh]

That “sump” makes me so uncomfortable. Lol

Nah that's my top off reservoir.

This is my sump:

 

[paintman]

Might want to invest in more insurance instead of worrying about a delay timer.

 

[DJF]

Imo, your much better off getting a sump with multiple chambers so your water level doesn't change in the skimmer area. I get what your trying to do, but seems like a bandaid instead of a fix and prone to failure. Just my $0.02. Could probably get a cheap 20 gallon tank and some plexiglass for dividers cheaper or as cheap as what your trying to do.

Best of luck with your setup.

Not sure where you can find a sump that doesn’t change the skimmer chamber level when the return pump is off

 

[DJF]

If you can tune your return pump to barely on instead of off for feeding your sump level should stay consistent. I agree that your sump setup is destine for disaster

 

[Shon]

Nah that's my top off reservoir.

This is my sump:

Grab yourself a free bucket on recycle day, put skimmer inside it, back into the sump and let the water overflow from there into the sump. Might need to use a second bucket cut up to raise it higher if needed.

Maybe find one square or rectangular if you want to use bulkheads vs uniseals?

Could be sourced free on recycle day. Left is actually a Feta Cheese bucket from a resturant, 4.5g, same as the square kitty litter. Don't use clear, they crack easily.

UV light will also degrade it and make it fragile, same with 5g buckets, be it Homedepot red, Lowes blue, food grade white, even Firehouse subs pickle bucket. Used as garden planter pots when I found that out. So if using as drain to display, keep in mind about UV light leaks from display if applicable.

 

[MoshJosh]

If you can tune your return pump to barely on instead of off for feeding your sump level should stay consistent. I agree that your sump setup is destine for disaster

Ok ok, I can work on getting the tangle of cords under control! My problem has been that much of my equipment have the little power adapters/bricks making it challenging to fit them on most power strips. . . I am very open to suggestions!

 

[DJF]

Ok ok, I can work on getting the tangle of cords under control! My problem has been that much of my equipment have the little power adapters/bricks making it challenging to fit them on most power strips. . . I am very open to suggestions!

You need to block those cords/outlets from being splashed and “drip loop” them. Please make sure they are on a gfci. That water is dangerously close

 

[Shon]

Sorta like this, but I only could quick find a 7inch sock. That's a sca301 but should be plenty of room. A TidyCat litter bucket is roughly 14-5/8" tall x 11" x 8-7/8" interior dimensions. If you can fit 2 in your sump, you could also do a bucket refugium. Edit: bulkheads work good on them too.

When life gives you lemons. Bucket.

 

[coralnutz]

Not sure where you can find a sump that doesn’t change the skimmer chamber level when the return pump is off

multiple chambers. If setup correctly only your return pump chamber should change levels when return pump goes on/off or from evap, etc... need enough room in the return pump chamber to accommodate this. Here's an example. PS, can do this with just 2 chambers. For that small of a space, some kind of taller tank. May need to put the skimmer up on some sort of pedestal to get water height correct.

 

[DJF]

multiple chambers. If setup correctly only your return pump chamber should change levels when return pump goes on/off or from evap, etc... need enough room in the return pump chamber to accommodate this. Here's an example. PS, can do this with just 2 chambers. For that small of a space, some kind of taller tank. May need to put the skimmer up on some sort of pedestal to get water height correct.

Yes that is the typical set up. The overflow from my DT and pipes without a doubt would go closer to the rim of the sump when the return pump is off. I’ve never seen a setup that would only fill the 2nd and 3rd chambers when the pump is off. Cool if you can do it but never seen it.

 

[Raul-7]

An Apex would solve this perfectly.

Fallback OFF
Set ON
If Output Return_Pump = OFF Then OFF
Defer 03:00 Then ON

 

[coralnutz]

Yes that is the typical set up. The overflow from my DT and pipes without a doubt would go closer to the rim of the sump when the return pump is off. I’ve never seen a setup that would only fill the 2nd and 3rd chambers when the pump is off. Cool if you can do it but never seen it.

No, if you look at the diagram I posted the water flows from left to right. The water in chamber 1 can never get higher than the level of the overflow between chamber 1 and 2. Only way would be is if you had so much water drain back down when you shut your pump off that chamber 2 and 3 rose higher than the overflow. If that's happening, you should redesign your sump. In your sump, when return pump goes off, you should have enough space in chamber 3, that it's the only one that fills up due to the overflows. But you do you I guess.

 

[EeyoreIsMySpiritAnimal]

Protein Skimmer Delay Timer

Protein Skimmer Delay Timer Cheap Insurance from Skimmer Overflows Necessity on recirculating external skimmers Recommended for all skimmers of any type Installation Place the Delay timer box in a dry location away from water Plug skimmer Pump(s) plug into the Delay Timer socket Insert the...

www.bulkreefsupply.com