Skimmer location in sump

[Matt Ziemer]

I built a three compartment sump with the right compartment accommodating the inlet water from the tank, a filter sock, and my protein skimmer. The center compartment houses a head of chaeto algae. The left compartment has an auto top-off float, and a return pump back to the tank.

I have been told, "Oh, your skimmer is in the wrong spot, it should be in the last compartment." I have also seen plenty of sump designs that put the skimmer in the first compartment.

I am now getting ready to move to a larger tank, and to upsize my sump as well. Should I take this opportunity to move my skimmer?

 

[Eric B]

You want the skimmer in the chamber where the water level stays the most consistent. It would no work in your 3rd section as that level will fluctuate with evaporation/top off. If it is in your first section and working good then leave it as I have a friend who runs his in the first chamber and has no issues.

 

[Eric B]

When you upsize your system if building a custom sump just build a skimmer section if you have room. Just want that section to stay at a constant water height so that you are not having to fight the skimmer.

 

[Matt Ziemer]

Thanks, Ed. Very good point! And yes, everything is working very well as it is currently configured (why else would I want to change everything?

 

[bvff3343]

"You want the skimmer in the chamber where the water level stays the most consistent"- Agree!

You can also buy a skimmer stand if the water is too high. I bought one online and it works great!

 

[kateater]

I place my skimmer in first section pull as much out before it gets to the refugium. Also most consistent water level

 

[O.Buckshank]

You definitely want your skimmer in the first section. This allows the filter sock to get the bug stuff, then the skimmer can do its thing with the dissolved organics. Not only will the water level be consistent as other people said, but the microbubbles have a chance to be dissipated in the fuge section and bubble trap if you have one between chamber 2 and 3...


Sent Via the R2R Forum APP

 

[vicstar40]

I built a three compartment sump with the right compartment accommodating the inlet water from the tank, a filter sock, and my protein skimmer. The center compartment houses a head of chaeto algae. The left compartment has an auto top-off float, and a return pump back to the tank.

I have been told, "Oh, your skimmer is in the wrong spot, it should be in the last compartment." I have also seen plenty of sump designs that put the skimmer in the first compartment.

I am now getting ready to move to a larger tank, and to upsize my sump as well. Should I take this opportunity to move my skimmer?

If it's not broken don't fix it as they say , I've learnt that difference of opinion is the biggest confusion,what works for you someone else will have a horror story for it (typical marine life lol) ,I'd say leave it until you upgrade your tank then build a separate sump just for your skimmer where the water won't fluctuate , keep us posted I'm just adding my new skimmer in my first sump . I've put a tiny baby box fish in mine I was told all sorts of horror stories about box fish ,I've got him with pistol shrimp ,fire shrimp , orange goby ,and lots of corals and snails ..... absolutely no problems at all he's such a character he swims up to greet me . I hand and pipe feed him he's honestly so cute ,but if I listen to people on here or in shops they say ohhhhh no way will nuke your tank don't direct feed them ect ..........just shows that difference of opinion ain't always right good luck ,! Always love browsing here and seeing other people's tanks lol

 

[Pntbll687]

Put the skimmer in a section that has a consistent water level.

It doesn't matter where it is placed, as long as it is getting enough flow to pull in new water and not just recirculate the same water it skimmed already.

Before fuge, after fuge, same section as return pump, doesn't matter.