Skimmer + Chiller on porch

[discocarp]

I posted this in general reef discussion with no response. Maybe you guys will be more help...

I want to move my skimmer outside and add a chiller (own both already - euroreef 12-1 and pacific coast 1/2 hp).

I only want to put 2 pipes through the cinder block. The feed gph is different for the 2 so I can't inline them. I know I can tee the water feed and use gate valves to control the flow into each piece, but how would you plumb the drain?

I was thinking about using a bucket with a drain to the sump. I could dump the chiller & skimmer outputs into the bucket, which would then drain to the sump under the tank. Any better ideas?

 

[Jhardain]

I would try to fit the skimmer in the area you were going to put the bucket. Then you could just pump feed the chiller and return it only using your 2 pipes through the cinder block straight into the sump.

 

[discocarp]

I'm not sure I understand. What about the skimmer? It would get the output from the chiller? That is too much flow.

 

[Jhardain]

The skimmer can run inside on it's own using the tee method. The gate valve will slow it down to the manufacturer recommended GPH.
I was just saying not sure why the Skimmer had to be outside. Probably easier to maintain inside with the other items.

If you had room for a bucket under the tank might as well just put the skimmer there is all.

 

[discocarp]

No, I want to move the skimmer outside as well as the chiller.

 

[Jhardain]

The pressure of the pump through the chiller should feed into the pipe back to the sump easily.

You can raise the skimmer higher up outside and let the return of the skimmers output gravity feed down to the sump in the same pipe that the chillers comes back in, that way you can still only have 2 pipes through the wall.

You can Tee outside and that will help you dial down the flow if needed with the gate valves.