Protein skimmer help

masternater · Apr 24, 2021

I jus built a modified sump tank. I have my 120 gallon tank upstairs and I made a 50 gallon sump and I have that downstairs. I have my skimmer and sterilizer and phosphate reactor all downstairs my new sump is 30” long and 30” high and my skimmer sits about 14” off the bottom and hasn’t been collecting so much lately. Should it be lower in my sump? Also. Can I buy a bigger pump for my skimmer and drop it down and pump it up the 14” to my skimmer

Peace River · Apr 24, 2021

Welcome to R2R!!! What kind of skimmer do you have and how far it is the bottom of the skimmer from the water line in the sump?

Pistondog · Apr 24, 2021

masternater said:
I jus built a modified sump tank. I have my 120 gallon tank upstairs and I made a 50 gallon sump and I have that downstairs. I have my skimmer and sterilizer and phosphate reactor all downstairs my new sump is 30” long and 30” high and my skimmer sits about 14” off the bottom and hasn’t been collecting so much lately. Should it be lower in my sump? Also. Can I buy a bigger pump for my skimmer and drop it down and pump it up the 14” to my skimmer

Welcome masternater,
Each skimmer has a preferred depth of water it sits in, should be in a manual.
What kind of skimmer.
I like,the setup.

Suohhen · Apr 24, 2021

Welcome, you are certainly going in big! Skimmers are very touchy and need to be kept in the perfect stable water depth. Manufacturer recommendations will usually get you close but it really depends on your setup and some companies make bad recommendations. For a new setup however there can be a long break in period before you really start to see any production.

Fred2482 · Apr 24, 2021

Welcome!

Reefnman2 · Apr 24, 2021

Welcome to R2R!

dhnguyen · Apr 24, 2021

some pics of your sump and skimmer would help.

mdb_talon · Apr 24, 2021

As others said each skimmer has an ideal water depth need to look it up for yours. I will say 14" would be much deeper than most would need so am guessing that is not the issue