What Feed Pump for H&S A150?

[gstuman]

I'm having a hard time using a RIO powerhead to keep my H&S skimmer going consistently. I have made sure the return is not submerged into the sump and that the unit is getting around 200 gal/hr.

What is the best rate of feeding this skimmer for a 150 tank and 40 gal sump? I have a leftover Eheim 1048 but it only puts out 158 gal/hr. Would this work?

What do you use?

 

[ridetheducati]

For your system any pump that will do 150-300gph. Dont exceed the skimmer limit, which I think is 300 for the A150.

 

[UCanDoIt]

I would try and keep it between 200-250gph steady. You will get a boost in performance if you can gravity feed from your tank's overflow, then you eliminate the feed pump as well.

 

[javajaws]

I use a MJ1200 slightly throttled down. Try posting here if you don't get your problem resolved:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=561761

 

[miami13]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9025004#post9025004 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by UCanDoIt
I would try and keep it between 200-250gph steady. You will get a boost in performance if you can gravity feed from your tank's overflow, then you eliminate the feed pump as well.

just curious - I've read more than a couple of times that if you gravity feed the skimmer it will increase performance by as much as 20% - can you explain why?

tks....

 

[gstuman]

I just replaced the feed pump with a 250 gal/hr. Eheim powerhead and she's up and running again like she used to be. I don't know why I was still keeping that RIO around. Thanks for the input.

 

[UCanDoIt]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9026117#post9026117 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by miami13
just curious - I've read more than a couple of times that if you gravity feed the skimmer it will increase performance by as much as 20% - can you explain why?

tks....

Maybe I can guide you to answer you own question... where does most of your protein waste from your tank accumulates and how does it leave your tank and how does it pass through your system?

 

[gstuman]

As UCanDoIt points out you want the skimmer to be in the highest concentrate of nutrient rich water which is immediately after the overflow. Thus, the T-off from the overflow is the most efficient, although, you may experience surging if you don't plump it properly.

I'm too lazy to make this mod to my tank so here's the lazy man's answer:

put a bucket in your sump where the return empties and place your skimmer pump in the bucket and make sure the discharge from the skimmer is outside of the bucket in the sump. This isolates some of the nutrient rich return water to the skimmer and really helped my skimming, although, I'm nearly positive it isn't as good as a T-off from the return.

 

[pjf]

“So... why donââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢t you get such daily skimmate? There are many common reasons for this. The number one reason is the quality of water delivered to the skimmer. Anything less than raw water overflowed straight into the skimmer is a compromise.”

-Anthony Calfo (http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=554786&perpage=25&pagenumber=1)

 

[pjf]

Nutrient Concentration or Power Savings?

Nutrient Concentration or Power Savings?

miami13 does have a point. Doesn't the sump water have the same nutrient concentration as the overflow water? Do the bubbles and current generated by the overflow carry nutrients pass the feed pump to the next compartment?

I thought that the efficiency of a recirculating skimmer comes from the fact that a feed pump is not needed. So savings in electrical power produces the efficiency gain.