Skimmer

[Rukus]

OK, this is a continuation of the skimmer question i had. I want to know if this is possible to do. I dont believe it is, and what mods would you have to do to be able to make it work? I know that you do not benefit from surface skimming, but it would be better than no skimming. I was looking to have this all in my cabinet under my tank. would this work? the red lines are what is existing, and the whole skimmer setup was what may/may not be able to be plumbed in. Let me know whats wrong with this.

Terrible drawing, but didnt want to spend alot of time on solidworks. :M16:

-Andrew

http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h276/Andrew341/option.jpg

[sphelps]

Absolutely not! The skimmer will overflow or the fluval will run dry then the skimmer will overflow unless the two pumps flow the EXACT same amount which is basically impossible. Stop trying to reinvent the wheel and go with a sump and overflow system. The overflow flow rate in dependent upon the return pump flow rate, that's why it works.

[Jon123]

If you cant drill, or are weary of an overflow system, I had alot of success with an above tank sump system. I was lucky because there was an in wall "shelf" behind where my tank was setup so I drilled 2 holes in a 5g tank and attached tubing to each installed bulkhead. I then had a powerhead pumping water into the sump, and it came out the other hole back into the tank due to gravity. 0 chance of overflow (assuming a snail or something doesnt clog the output hole). Also really good for pods because they arnt destroyed by impellers on their way to the main tank. Heres a rough drawing:
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a327/jad929/abovetank.jpg

Jon

[cary Henderson]

honestly it was a good try... but yeah its a disaster waiting to happen...

[Rukus]

I wasnt going to do it. I wanted to know if it would work, and like i said, i was almost 100% sure it wouldnt. I KNOW that the sump/skimmer combination is the best. My comment about the siphoning in another post was why i made this post, also to try to understand the whole external skimmer thing I was confused on. didnt mean for you to take it as if I was a complete meathead.

[cary Henderson]

dude nobody jumps on people... its not meant that way...
you idea has major flaws
1- overflow should fall to (foam /floss area to take out larger particles)
2-skimmer should not be hooked up INLINE...run it in its own area with separate pump or on its own loop off return...
3- after the skimmer you should have the water fall in/over to remove excess bubbles.. before you pump back to tank...
4-if anything on that line failed it all has to be shut down...having everthing on its own lets you turn off each to clean /repair as needed..

i gather you have found a HO skimmer and want to incoperate it..and you already have an oveflow and a pump right?? and dont want to buy another pump...

[Ryano]

i think that setup actually could work
I admagine that if you removed the pump before the skimmer and hot wired the skimmer to run its air with a high powered air bubbler and hook it up so the fluval powered it to spin the water threw the skimmer and up to the tank fast enough. IUnno i feel a fluval wouldnt have enough to move the water but i think the plan could work without the first PH.
Ryan Shirley

[Rukus]

i dont run an overflow or anything, and I understand that the idea has major flaws. I run a fluval on my 20g and have had nothing but great success with my system. I am not looking to change anything. I appreciate the help. I have never ran a skimmer or sump before and wanted to try to understand it a bit better.

as for making it sound like I was offended before, maybe I was a little, but I realize the concern. seems like I was out to lunch.:dance:

Thanks for the comments.

-Andrew