what to do when sump to tall for skimmer?

banditpowdercoat · #1 06-24-2009, 12:22 PM

Not to sure. I think I may just have to get a shallower sump one day.

golf nut · #2 06-24-2009, 12:37 PM

if its just a couple of inches then cut down the cup.

banditpowdercoat · #3 06-24-2009, 12:43 PM

Well, I am going to need a better skimmer. This Red Sea berlin skimmer just isn't very good I'm afraid. And don't want to cut down a new skimmer LOL. I have cut this one allready, the base.

What I really was searching for, I guess, was a skimmer that had it's outlet pumped, not gravity drain to the sump. So I could pump the skimmer outlet over the sump edge. But I guess that's a far fetched dream

mike31154 · #4 06-24-2009, 05:19 PM

Well, not sure this is better, but it is a skimmer driven by a pump, not gravity fed, run external to my tank. I don't have a sump... yet, but when I do, it will be a similar DIY el cheapo, counter current, air stone skimmer. It is 'outside' the tank (sump in your case) so it may be as tall as you wish to make it. Only downside I can see is there's more potential for flooding if it overflows, but that risk can be mitigated in a number of ways. So far not a problem in my case. Aquaclear 301 powerhead, 8 watts, Stellar W-60 air pump, 3.2 watts. No doubt there are much more professional & efficient rigs out there, but this works fine for me and can be run on back up power for quite a while with such low power consumption.

subman · #5 06-24-2009, 06:55 PM

what about a HOB skimmer and just hang it on your sump? Like an AquaC Remora you could even keep the Berlin going as well.

StirCrazy · #6 06-24-2009, 11:54 PM

how high is the skimmer your running now. If you want a in sump one the vertex 100 is 20.5 inches tall and needs a water level of 7 to 11".

so if you had a 6" platform in your sump and put a vertex 100 on it that would leave you with about 3" of room above the skimmer.

Steve