question about pump size...
 

i have begun building my new DIY skimmer which will be 18inches tall and made out of 8inch inside diameter PVC pipe. my question is which type of pump and how big of pump should be used for this skimmer? also what size outlet or drain would be a good size? i was thinking of mabey an OR 3500 witha 2" drain pipe. please give me any opinions and thoughts that may help me before i get cracking on this project. also how long or tall should the neck of the skimmer be?

thanks,

Mark

2" drain is to big but that is what you want you can can allway turn it down (ie valve). it really base on how much flow you want to put through it. with a 2" valve you could easy drain 1500gph into a 6" deep sump (Gusstamit). But you would only want to flow less than 600 more like 300gph. 1" would probably work fine for 300gph.

OR 3500 should work fine. but i still studying nw pumps. i think the ventury is a the key to maximizing the pump output and i cant find enough info on venturys

dont i spell great

thanks for your response yourfishman. i really appreciate it. would i be able to use a smaller pump with this application or do i have to have one this size? looking to save some $$. thanks in advance,

Mark

you could go smaller but i would stay with the 3500 it a good match. not knowing what size tank you have the 3500 can be usefull for more defferent size tanks.

ps i think it a OR 3700 not 3500

oh thanks very much. the tank this skimmer would be applied to is a 160g predator tank with 5 fish in it already.