Need some help with my skimmer.. pics

[DJ88]

In that case this is what I would do.

Ball valve(done), larger pump.. mag 2 or more, smaller PVC tubing to restrict flow even more(if using a MJ1200), second air stone.

Add a small mag and throttle it back. Increase your neck length to allow for more adjustability.. You will find that as it gets used you will need that adjustment capability.. especially if the flow out gets restricted slightly due to growth inside the tubing.


FYI.

The HOT1's work because they are kept at the water level of the tank or sump. This makes for less work on the pump less than 6 inches vice over a foot as you have it now. As an insump mudel you will need to add a much more powerful pump than a MJ or Rio 800. they lose too much GPH at that distance. Once they lose that much GPH they will not be running your skimmer efficiently. Your flow into and out of the skimmer will be so low that it is doing next to nothing.

If you wanted to do this over I'd recommend using a taller reaction chamber(say 24") a much larger pump and inject the water so it spirals up the column from lower in the chamber. I'll draw a pic when I get home.. dont have any software here to help ya.