Skimmer question

[Reefable]

Ok guys got couple of questions to ask about my skimmer. But before that i would like to give you guys a general overview of my system. I have a 3 years old 150G 72" long with corner dual overflow mixed reef system. Most recently i upgraded my sump from a tiny little aquon proflex 4 to a DIY 125G sump and move it to my furnace/boiler room. The overall water volume i run is 220G. I have been using Turbofloater 1000 MultiSL as my skimmer for the past 4 years. Since i moved my sump to boiler room the ph hangs around 8.10-8.17. I was wondering if i could move my Ph up a bit by connecting an external airline to my skimmer's intake. I ran a small tubing (the size you use to connect an airpump in freshwater tanks) from outside (6 ft apprx) drilling a small hole into the wall and connect it to the skimmer. For some reason the skimmer goes nuts when i connect this line to its intake. It skims wet and fills the jar within a minute. When i take it out the skimmer works normally. My question is
> Is the line's diameter too small for the skimmer making the skimmer suffocate

The second question i have is considering the water volume of 220G what skimmer would you guys suggest? OR am i ok with the Turbofloater 1000 which is listed for 250G.

 

[slief]

If you are going to connect the airline to the outside you want to use a pipe or tube that is much larger ID than the venturi line on the skimmer. 1/2" is typically what I would suggest. That said, a pH of 8.10-8.17 is perfectly fine and I would see no reason to both with the airline outside. I've seen pH levels much lower than that including on my main display and the corals still grow like weeds and all inhabitants are perfectly fine.

 

[Reefable]

Thanks Slief i will not worry than about the external tubing. I was only doing so because i had a small access on that wall but regardless i am ok with 8.10 as my Ph.

How about the Turbofloater question.

 

[slief]

Proper skimmer sizing should always be based on the display size since that is where the load (fish) is concentrated. Our sumps don't usually contribute to the load. Instead the are generally there to reduce the load.

That said, if the skimmer has been working for you on your display and is working well, then the added sump volume shouldn't change it its performance. In all honesty, I think that skimmers ratings are on the optimistic side though. To me, it doesn't look like a great skimmer but if it's been working well for you for the last 4 years then I wouldn't expect that to change.

 

[Reefable]

ok great input Slief..Thank you so much for your quick and honest advise...Yes it has been collecting good guck and the pump has been working sealessly.. i take your word as Why fix something if its not broken in other words it is working