protien skimmer in sump??

[jhambone]

I have a question on where to put my protien skimmer in my sump but first let me explain my sump to you.
I bought an aqueon sump from my lfs and i ordered the reef octopus extreme 160 protien skimmer online. My skimmer isnt here yet but i am trying to think ahead of where to put it in the sump. I was told that the sump i bought is the newest model and i read in the instructions that it can be made into three different types of sumps: the "Berlin" method, the "Refugium" method, and the "Traditional" method. The sump already has 3 different areas in it, the first having 2 filter bags, the second being empty (thats where the refugium goes according to the instructions), and the third is empty which is obviously where the return pump will go.

I would like to make my sump a refugium but i dont know where to put my protien skimmer. The first section is blocked off completely except for a small area to pull out the filter bags so my protien skimmer will not fit there. The middle is where i will be putting the refugium portion. The instructions tell me to put the protien skimmer in the third section with the return pump.

So my question is this: Is it ok to put the skimmer in the third section with the return pump? I have read about micro bubbles getting in the DT and hurting the inhabitants which is the reason i ask this question.

Thanks in advance

[Engine8ff]

You dont want to put your protien skimmer in the return section for 3 reasons: 1st micro bubbles in your disp. and 2nd you will be skimming anything your fuge is adding and 3rd if you are going to dose your tank you want to do it in the return section because of the high flow so your skimmer will have first dibs on your added chemicals. You need to figure out how to skim before your fuge and return. Hope this helps.

[sage_commander]

Don't put the skimmer in the return section. You want to avoid microbubbles getting into your display. Unless it's drawing water out of the return section and puting it somewhere else to give the bubbles a chance to dissipate.

[jhambone]

I didnt think that i should put it in the return section which is why i asked the question so thank you for confirming that.

So now that I know for sure not to put it there, any ideas on where I should put it?? It is not a HOB skimmer

[mark54321]

put the skimmer in the refugium section of your sump ,and if you want to have refugium get the hang on refugium like CPR or different model. Another reason you don't want to put skimmer in the return section is the water level always change in that section ,even with ATO, and this have a negative impact on your skimmer performance.

[gtaylor67]

I've ran my skimmer in my fuge section for 2 yrs now and no ill effects. You will want to keep your water level in a specific height range to help your skimmer. Use some light grating to separate the two but not necessary. Best of luck

[VtheMaestro]

i have the same sump for my build (http://bit.ly/maestro57gRC). I wanted to put the skimmer and return pump in the same section but the model 2 sump is narrow and my octopus skimmer has a large acrylic base plate. I think i'm going to try a h.o.b. skimmer on the sump, or try to build an acrylic fuge to sit inside the return section. My tunze silence pump is small, so I have a good amount of space to play with

[WhoDat?]

first off there is good advice here.... listen to these guys... they know...

second,
I had the same problem before.. which is why I always build my own sumps now.... heres what I did... don't know if you have the room for this or not but it will work.... I had the sump as you described... nowhere to put skimmer..... you can buy an extra acrylic box... like a small sump.... at your LFS or online.... mine was 5 gallons.... I actually still have it if your interested in it let me know...... anyway.... I drilled a hole in it and a hole in the side of the sump.. all acrylic, it was very easy.... I connected the 2 with a bulkhead... took out the filter socks... I don't like the socks anyway.... put the skimmer in the place where the socks were.... and moved the water inlet to the new box....worked like a charm.... never had problems... If the skimmer still wont fit where the socks were just put it in the new box with the water inlet and still remove the socks.... The only problem I had was the whole thing was too large to fit in the stand while it was put together... it had to be assembled while in the stand.... but that wasnt really hard.. I know it sounds complicated and it is a little more work than putting it in the refugium section... (which I was always afraid to do cause you lose some pods) .... hope this helps....

[WhoDey64]

The god of sumps and sump info!

http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html

[thegrun]

Is there enough room in the refugium section to install a divider that would split the water flow, 1/2 through the reufugium, 1/2 through the new skimmer section?

[saltybastard]

In order to avoid bubbles, you can put on one of those microfibre socks on the protein skimmer. I have a baffle-less sump with everything in, undivided. I have no microbubbles with the filter sock technique

[VtheMaestro]

i came up with an awesome solution for this, but it requires you to tee off your return line. lemme know if you're interested

[lordofthereef]

Of you could p[rovide a link to a picture of the sump that would be helpful. I would personally try and put it in the inlet section (where water drains from your display down to the sump). This section will always have a steady water level (fluctuating water levels cut back skimmer performance).

[captnslapy]

In order to avoid bubbles, you can put on one of those microfibre socks on the protein skimmer. I have a baffle-less sump with everything in, undivided. I have no microbubbles with the filter sock technique

Same thing that I did. My sump is small and crowded so I put a filter bag over the return from the skimmer and no bubbles at all. gl