Seperate pump for skimmer?

[Ctsaltwaterguy]

I am running a 600 gallon setup(7 tanks), should I plumb a large pump with a manifold to run the circulation and skimmer ETSS2000 - or run a seperate pump for skimmer alone? Have access to all sizes of pool pumps. Does anyone make a flow gauge for 500+ gallons?

 

[Entropy]

I would run a seperate pump myself. With so many tanks relying on the same pump, you are probably going to get varying flow rates to the skimmer if you also use it for your skimmer.

 

[MattAndKim]

You can install a pressure reducing valve with a downstream sensing line upstream of the skimmer to provide a constant high pressure to the skimmer.

Running a separate pump may prove more cost effective/convenient/reliable, but you absolutely can configure the system with one pump as long as it can provide high enough flow at a high head.

I don't know exactly what you mean by flow gauge for 500+ gallons, but if you mean 500 gallons per minute, there a ton of options out there.
A venturi nozzle and d/p cell or d/p gauge would be the simplest. You may be able to purchase one calibrated for seawater, but if you can't find one cheap enough, you can calibrate it yourself with a flow totalizer or by pumping a known volume at the same head as the system. Magnetic, turbine/paddlewheel, and ultrasonic systems are out there too. A portable ultrasonic unit could provide measurements at any point in the system.

Here is a link to a book which gives instructions on building a venturi flowmeter for aquaculture systems:
http://books.google.com/books?id=P4...qYvLIG&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2

www.omega.com sells units ready to install.
if you want metal one, cu-ni or monel would work fine.

if i were you i would just build all the tank discharges with the same outlet pipe size and make an orifice/pressure gage cap which you could use to ensure all the tanks had equal or sufficient discharge pressures.

 

[ostrow]

I have a 300 gallon system and 4 tanks -- a display, a fuge, a small tank for frags or fish observation, and a sump (if you want to call the sump a tank, which it really is).

I have an ETSS 1000 for my skimmer. I have everything -- including calcium reactor, uv, carbon, purigen and phosphate filters -- off a manifold. The pump is a Hammerhead.

If you are on one level it would be easy. If pumping upstairs, you'll certainly need a high-speed and massive pump. I doubt even a Manta Ray would do it. You'd need a big jaccuzzi pump or something like that.

You'd be better off if you can swing it just plumbing a dedicated pump for the skimmer. But you can certainly do what you suggest -- just make sure you oversize the pump!

 

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15018030#post15018030 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MattAndKim
but if you mean 500 gallons per minute, there a ton of options out there.

i think you mean to say 500gallons per hour, not minute!

now thats a lot of flow!! 30,000 GPH!!

i use a 2hp Jacuzzi Commercial Aquarium pump on my system
and it only puts out 8000 GPH or 133 GPM

Chris

 

[MattAndKim]

No I meant 500gpm

I realize that he is not using a pump that large, but once you get out of the hobby scale equipment, there are a lot of industrial systems that provide extremely reliable and accurate turn-key solutions for any problem you have.

 

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<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=15018933#post15018933 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by MattAndKim
No I meant 500gpm

I realize that he is not using a pump that large, but once you get out of the hobby scale equipment, there are a lot of industrial systems that provide extremely reliable and accurate turn-key solutions for any problem you have.

i hope to have that problem one day.....

Chris