How should I setup my skimmer?

[aerius007]

I am making the move to the sump room. I picked up a 100g rubbermaid container today from TSC. Right now my Octo X 200 is in a 40g tank/sump behind a baffle that keeps the water level @ 9". What is the best way for me to set this skimmer in my sump room?

Should I

1) Remove all of the baffles and drill a bulkhead in the 40g tank around 9" and t-off the displays drain line into the skimmer tank then drain that water into the sump

2) T-off the return line into the skimmer tank

3) I dont know what I'm talking about and you have a much better idea

Help a brother out here, I new to this sump room thing.

 

[Cove Beach]

As Serpentman's quote says there are many ways to the same end. You do have several options. First of all what all do you plan to put in the tub? The 100 gal tub may seem big now but it will shrink pretty fast when you start adding stuff to your system. I know mine got crowded in a hurry. Walling off the rubbermaid isn't easy so you will need to figure out how you want your water to move through the system. Some guys will have the drain drop into the tank with the skimmer and pump in it and have that overflow into the sump. Another option is to make a stand to set the skimmer on in the tub so its at the right height. Then set your skimmer pump right under where your drains drop in. Also you may want to make a provision to run filter socks on your drains. This will do two things,mechanical filtration and get rid of bubbles and splashing.Lots of choices here. Also if you can keep the majority of equipment either in or over the sump you limit spills in case of problems.

 

[silverking]

I have mine setup like your option 1. except i have both drains coming into the skimmer tank and then overflows down to the rubbermaid sump. works fine haven't had any problems with the setup. and you always have a set water level for your skimmer.

 

[aerius007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15200024#post15200024 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by silverking
I have mine setup like your option 1. except i have both drains coming into the skimmer tank and then overflows down to the rubbermaid sump. works fine haven't had any problems with the setup. and you always have a set water level for your skimmer.

I thought about that but think I'm going to put a drip plate in the sump with some kind of mechanical filtration. It would be nice to get that stuff out before it hits the skimmer, I think that would make for a more efficient setup but I'm not sure.

 

[chuggy]

zak before you set ANYTHING UP go check out serpentmans setup. Trust me bro my whole redesign has been stuck in my brain since ive seen it. Why cant u just use your current sump? Get another tank and set that up as your deep sand bed/ refuge? If you planeed on having 1.

 

[aerius007]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15200202#post15200202 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by chuggy
zak before you set ANYTHING UP go check out serpentmans setup. Trust me bro my whole redesign has been stuck in my brain since ive seen it. Why cant u just use your current sump? Get another tank and set that up as your deep sand bed/ refuge? If you planeed on having 1.

My sump is just a 40g tank with baffles glued in. I plan on using that for just the skimmer (probably). I bought the 100g rubbermaid so I could have larger water volume and do water changes without turning off the pumps.

 

[silverking]

just use a filter sock on the end of your drain pipes.