Geo Skimmer size?

[tye_c]

The mak4 return pump is only pushing 850gph through the tank. I don't have enough to spare 500-700 to the skimmer.

 

[RokleM]

Since I have returns coming in from 3 different directions (180, 58, frag), I dump directly into the sump. However, the pump that supplies my skimmer sits in the sump right where all 3 of those lines enter the sump.

 

[thebrian]

This thread may be hijacked, but I think it's good discussion. I'm pretty sure there was an article done in reefkeeping a while back by one of the "experts" that talked about gravity feeding skimmers vs. pump feed, but I can't seem to find it or remember when it was. Anyone happen to remember?

 

[asnatlas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8789846#post8789846 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Treg
That is new to me. Whats the purpose?
A refugium should have low flow, Isn't your BK internal? So gravity feeding really wouldnt be a direct option for you anyway, correct?

So what is in your sump that needs 3-5x turnover?

Well my fuge setup is not your "typical" fuge... I have a 50gal tub that will house various Macroalgae in it, from that it will feed into the fuge... My Fuge is nothing more then an extra 150gal of water with (right now 200lbs of LR) from there it feeds the frag tank and then into the sump, which from there the Dart feeds the display...

I have a BK400 EXT and there is nothing in my sump other then water... When I designed this system I wanted each part to be separate so when I do maintenance or if for some reason needed to change something I could do it easier... I also did it for the added extra water volume... Sure I could have put all of that into a 100g or 150g sump but I would not have as much room to work nor have the added water volume and everything would have to be in a smaller quality, I would not be able to hold as much LR, macro and anything else that I wanted... I also wanted it setup so when I get a fish or coral, I can float it in one part and after the temp has equalized I can keep it floating while dripping from the tier above...

This is an old picture, I will try to get one of the completed setup...

 

[asnatlas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8789950#post8789950 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by szwab
IMO the high turnover rate through the sump was a guideline to create flow in the tank itself via the returns. since tunzes, waveboxes, closed loops were "discovered" which allows for less flow through the sump.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8790001#post8790001 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Treg
I agree.

Using your return pump to gain flow in the display is just a "Bad Habbit" from the past.

Shawn I guess I personally just do not understand a higher turnover rate than what is need to feed equipment and such. I mean I could understand if that 2,800 gph was feeding something... The BK isnt pumping that much, is it?

Especially with, what, 6 Tunzes? that extra 3-5x in the display isnt getting you anything. :lol:

I went with the Dart because of the watt usage and reliability... I knew I was going to have a good amount of Tunzes in the system so my goal for the Dart was not to create flow, but turnover of the water in the display... Since my overflow is not a coast to coast I wanted to make sure that I got as much of the water into the sump/skimmer per hr as I could... Its alot easier to clean the sump then it is the display...

Right now I am only feeding the tank and fuge, but I will soon be feeding a CA reactor and UV and I am sure other things via the Dart...

The BK is feed via a 1" line so only about 600-700gph... But I have a filter sock on the 2" drain so I replace every few days...

 

[asnatlas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8790834#post8790834 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tye_c
I could come off the 1.5" drain to a wye then down to a 1/2" input for the skimmer. The top of the wye would go into the sump. Basically anything the skimmer cant take in overflows into the sump.

I don't really see how this is any diff then if you use one drain to feed your skimmer and the other into sump, it is not the same concept ??

 

[seandanekind]

Dude - that sump setup looks like an accident waiting to happen!!!

I can just imagine one of my younger cousins doing a chin up on one of those stock tanks to see the fishies inside and then... BAM!! GUSH!! GLUGG!!! OH CRAP!!!

 

[asnatlas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8791417#post8791417 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by seandanekind
Dude - that sump setup looks like an accident waiting to happen!!!

I can just imagine one of my younger cousins doing a chin up on one of those stock tanks to see the fishies inside and then... BAM!! GUSH!! GLUGG!!! OH CRAP!!!

With advice from Norm and RokleM the setup is very sturdy... I have placed some 2x4 over the frag tank and sump and stood on them without any hesitations, and that is just in the past few days with the water flowing...

 

[cward]

I've skimmed thru what everyone is saying, but haven't read everything word for word.

I gravity feed my skimmer only for the fact that I want my skimmer to receive the water with the most nutrients in it (from my display tank). I have enough room in my external overflow box to put a feed pump in it if I ever decided that the gravity feed didn't produce enough flow thru the 1"line, but as of right now, it couldn't work any better. I do have to clean the strainer for the intake feed due to algae build up every once in a while, but that's it.

I guess the bottom line is, I'm always right, and you should listen to me.






:lol:

 

[asnatlas]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8791537#post8791537 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cward
I gravity feed my skimmer only for the fact that I want my skimmer to receive the water with the most nutrients in it (from my display tank).

So all 100% of your overflow if going right into your skimmer... What GPH is the return pump feeing your display ??

 

[seandanekind]

So....

At what point is the turnover between the display and sump actually optimized to skim all the crud from the surface of the display tank?

I assume the optimal flow rate to keep the surface clear is more a function of the surface area of the tank rather than the total tank volume.

 

[cward]

So all 100% of your overflow if going right into your skimmer

No, only a small portion of it. But the intake for the feed is higher than the intakes for the drains to my sump, so I figure it's getting the surface water from my tank first, although it's not all of it. What the skimmer doesn't get, the millions of aptasia I have in the overflow box will get.

 

[Treg]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8790834#post8790834 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tye_c
Here is the problem a Mag 5 should put 500ghp into the skimmer with the 1/2" input. I dont think you can gravity feed that much into the 1/2" input.

You cant. Are you sure its 1/2"? Seems small for an 8" skimmer.
My last skimmer was 1/2" input and about 200gph was MAX I could get from gravity feeding. That was even using all larger fittings. 1" BV and such... But that skimmer was a lot smaller then the one im using now, so it was set about right.

As a matter of fact, if you want 500gph, you will probably need the Mag 7. If you go with a Mag pump, try to use all larger plumbing then 1/2" coming out of the pump. Atleast 3/4".

uztaryn,
No. You dont have too much flow at all. Are there any extra tunzes or pumps in the tank?

thebrian, I would love to read that article if you come across it again.

 

[Treg]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8791711#post8791711 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by seandanekind
So....

At what point is the turnover between the display and sump actually optimized to skim all the crud from the surface of the display tank?

I assume the optimal flow rate to keep the surface clear is more a function of the surface area of the tank rather than the total tank volume.

I dont know if that is even calculable! :lol:

There is just a lot of variables. Tank size, Skimmer input and size, Overflow size, Plumbing, Total water volume...

I am pretty content with how I have my done. Other than the skimmer is a little ridiculously oversized for my 90g tank, 99% of the overflow water gravity feeds into my skimmer. *About* 700-800 GPH. I have a little under 200g total system, So It is somewhere around recycling every 15 mins.

 

[tye_c]

According to this it is a 1/2" input.

835 GEO PROFESSIONAL SERIES

Cast acrylic construction.
8" diameter reaction chamber and collection cup.
Collection cup with overflow drain.
Spears union collection cup removal.
1" gate valve output, 1/2" union ball valve feed.
NEW Sedra 12,000 needle wheel pump.
11" x 17" foot print, 35" overall height.
Reaction chamber 24".
Suitable for aquariums up to 350 gallons, in sump or external use.

 

[tye_c]

With a 1/2" input how much GPH should I try and puss thru it. I have a mag12 that I could split between the fuge and skimmer. The other pump is a Mag 5 or 7 but it wont stant in water. You have to pull it out of water let it get going then put it back in. Anyone got a pump they want to get rid of?

 

[tye_c]

I picked it up tonight from Sedar. This thing is huge and its the smallest model. The 12" model with 4 pumps looks like a tank.

 

[Treg]

You might want to ask GEO but to give you an idea...

I would start with the water level somewhere in the bell shape transition with the pump OFF.
With the pump ON the bubble column should be somewhere around 1/2 way up the cup, just depends on how wet you want to skim... Adjust the water level til you get the bubble head right.

If it were me, I would take the check valve out of the air line and maybe add an air tap for very fine adjustments.

Yep, I left a letter out on the pic. :lol:
(Bud Light)

 

[tye_c]

Treg,
Thanks for the suggestions. I will try that when I fire it up tomorrow.

 

[tye_c]

Got it up a running the other day. Working pretty good.

This thing is a monster. My ASM g-3 is still in the sump behind the Geo. It looks like a toy compared to the new one.

I am getting a flushing effect from the skimmer. Any ideas on how to fix this?