DIY skimmer questions??

[logans]

I'm starting my new 20l project. Going to build a counter current skimmer that will be in my sump. Can I T off the drain into my skimmer and put a gate valve at the inlet and outlet of the skimmer? I'm trying to eliminate as many pumps as possible so I thought I could use the drain line to put water thru the skimmer. I was also reading that you would need a slow flow thru the skimmer to optimize the process. Am I on the right track?

 

[Troylee]

You could but it will still lead to overflows a nice maxijet pump would be better it would feed it at a constant rate and eliminate the flucuating water levels there being more efficient and working like a charm....

 

[sanddune600]

you are correct that you want low flow you could tee off the main pump as well if you get a little bigger pump you wont notice I plan on teeing off mine soon to run a gfo/carbon reactor

I did this for a long time with no issues I used a bean animal overflow so I had a extra overflow from the tank to prevent mishaps due to the skimmer being overly large and bulky for the tank it was in I ended up putting a smaller non recirculating skimmer in place that I can more easily clean

 

[logans]

Yes I plan on running the b/a overflow also. I like that idea running it off the return pump.