Does it matter how far a skimmer's effluent is carried?

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

I got a new recirc. skimmer that i'm running externally and this is my first external skimmer.

Does it matter how far the output is run with pvc and 90's and such as long as it's horizontal? The way i have it set now, there would be a 45 off the 'T' on the standpipe then ~1' of 1.5" pvc, then a 90, then ~1.5' of 1.5" pvc, then a 90 back down into sump.

 

[poppin_fresh]

I wouldn't think so. The outlet is basically acting as an overflow. Because its draining downwards, it shouldn't have any effect on whats going on in the chamber.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

Well, it would be level horizontal until the dump 90 at sump, so not going downhill.

 

[schneijt]

Unless you are trying to force the water up in any way (which you are not), there will be no problem. I really doubt there will be enough water moving through the pvc to fill it and create any water pressure, so you're fine. I'd only be worried if you were creating any pressure within the pvc, and the only way to do that with a recirculating skimmer would be a vertical distance to the sump or a LOT of flow through the skimmer!

So, to sum it up, unless your water output requires the water to be forced upward above the level of the output, then you're fine.

-Joe

 

[schneijt]

p.s. You said your water isn't going downhill, and you'd be fine even if it were. Going up is the only thing that would affect skimmer performance. If the water had to move up, it would be like closing the gate valve, but going down has no affect on the skimmer.

 

[E-A-G-L-E-S]

No, i knew going down is fine, just stating that mine wasn't, that it would be horizontal.

Yea, I'll only be pushing ~100gph through it.

**Do I need to glue any of those joints, or all of them?

Thanks alot!!

 

[poppin_fresh]

glue would be the safest if its critical it stays together. If its all in the sump, a quick wrap with teflon tape and a push together and most joints wont come apart unless you want them too.

 

[Reef Sponger]

Once you have a horizontal exhaust longer than 18", the water moving through starts to slow down, which puts backpressure on the exhaust. When you get up to 2ft, you will probably even see more of a slow down of the water going through the horizontal portion. I would suggest slightly downward if the length is greater than 18".

 

[MO Will]

Hey Matt

What skimmer did you finally decide on? Do you have pics posted anywhere? Are you happy with the decision, or too early to tell?

Thanks

 

[humbugy]

my skimmer output was sitting horizontally and it was about 24" of travel, i kept burping on me, soo i built a little plattform and raised it up about 4-5 inches, solved the problem.