Thoughts on an idea I have

sirrealism · 01/27/2015, 10:20 AM

So on my 40b I have an iTECH 100 I run a single overflow "I know I need a 2nd" I use a normal flex hose that I run to my sump into a sock. I dont have a sock holder and the sump does not have a lot of space in it so the sock and the skimmer are in the same chamber. So my thought is what if I removed the sock and ran the drain right to the skimmer. It would not be a tight fit. The skimmer pump moves as much or more water then my return pump does so I think it would work. Does anyone see a reason this would be an issue or not work? I think I am going to try it tonight. Cant see where it could cause me any issue but thats why I post it here. Maybe someone else has done this. Thanks for any input.

blindskater02 · 01/27/2015, 10:53 AM

I would leave it as is. You are not going to improve filtration by removing the filter sock.

rogergolf66 · 01/27/2015, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blindskater02

I would leave it as is. You are not going to improve filtration by removing the filter sock.

Agreed.... What r u trying to gain?

sirrealism · 01/27/2015, 12:00 PM

Trying to gain not having to change sock, all water coming from display having to go through the skimmer, No more cleaning the sump or at least not as often.

CrazyEyes · 01/27/2015, 12:08 PM

I think unless the skimmer is recirculating it might be too much water for the skimmer.

blindskater02 · 01/27/2015, 12:08 PM

Without a sock you will end up having to clean the sump more frequently.

St Pete John · 01/27/2015, 12:11 PM

I pulled my socks a few months ago and no change so far.

I do have a settling chamber before my "fuge" that collects a good amount of detritus but i just suck it up w a turkey baster every few days.

sirrealism · 01/27/2015, 12:15 PM

Thanks all. I am just trying to think outside the box. If all water coming out of display has to go through the skimmer then I should have better nutrient control meaning less N03 and P04. Then again I posted this here to hear others thoughts on this because I could be way off

rogergolf66 · 01/27/2015, 12:40 PM

U would need a recirculation skimmer and then u would have to size your return pump to the skimmer if u wanted 100% through the skimmer every time. What skimmer r u running?

sirrealism · 01/27/2015, 02:00 PM

iTECH 100

sirrealism · 01/27/2015, 02:17 PM

Return is a 500GPH but I would think that with head I am prob down to about 300GPH or less. The skimmer has the aquabee pump on it. trying to find out what the aquabee flows at

blindskater02 · 01/27/2015, 02:20 PM

In sump skimmers are not designed to hook a drain line direct to the input of the skimmer pump. It will mess with the water/air draw mix and make the skimmer much less efficient.

As stated a recirclating skimmer, depending on size, would be a better option to direct all flow from a tank into but still not recomended.

CuzzA · 01/27/2015, 05:49 PM

The biggest problem I see with this is your first sentence. Even if running the drain to the skimmer pump was successful you increase your risk of a flood substaintaily by the fact you have one drain pipe that now will have a potential obstruction right smack in front of it. If the pumps intake or the skimmers output were to clog you're going to have a flood. Just a reduction in flow could create enough loss of water flowing through that your display would overflow. I wouldn't do it on my tank. If you don't want to run bags, don't. There's plenty of systems that don't use them.

BobbyV · 01/28/2015, 02:40 AM

My tank drain is positioned into my skimmer chamber of my sump.

I am running an SRO 5000INT so the 5000 bubble blaster pumps sucks a lot of water.

The skimmer acts as a vacuum. It been very efficient.

Granted, yes some detritus build up over time, but I would rather suck it up once every three months or so than mess with filter socks every few days.

I don't have anything floating around in my tank since I designed my sump with multiple bubble traps.

I am also turning over a lot of water volume, which I am sure helps the cause and gives more exposure to my skimmer.

Two things in this hobby are the devil.

Sand Beds and Filter Socks!

01/27/2015, 10:20 AM	#1
sirrealism Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hudson FL Posts: 1,249	Thoughts on an idea I have So on my 40b I have an iTECH 100 I run a single overflow "I know I need a 2nd" I use a normal flex hose that I run to my sump into a sock. I dont have a sock holder and the sump does not have a lot of space in it so the sock and the skimmer are in the same chamber. So my thought is what if I removed the sock and ran the drain right to the skimmer. It would not be a tight fit. The skimmer pump moves as much or more water then my return pump does so I think it would work. Does anyone see a reason this would be an issue or not work? I think I am going to try it tonight. Cant see where it could cause me any issue but thats why I post it here. Maybe someone else has done this. Thanks for any input. __________________ New build. 300g 8' tank. SPS dominant Current Tank Info: 150g mixed. 93g cube nem. 90g mixed. 40b softy

01/27/2015, 12:00 PM	#4
sirrealism Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hudson FL Posts: 1,249	Trying to gain not having to change sock, all water coming from display having to go through the skimmer, No more cleaning the sump or at least not as often. __________________ New build. 300g 8' tank. SPS dominant Current Tank Info: 150g mixed. 93g cube nem. 90g mixed. 40b softy

01/27/2015, 12:08 PM	#5
CrazyEyes Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Largo, FL Posts: 3,844	I think unless the skimmer is recirculating it might be too much water for the skimmer. __________________ Gone Fishing.

01/27/2015, 12:11 PM	#7
St Pete John Registered Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: St. Petersburg FL Posts: 169	I pulled my socks a few months ago and no change so far. I do have a settling chamber before my "fuge" that collects a good amount of detritus but i just suck it up w a turkey baster every few days. __________________ 225 gallons of fishy goodness

01/27/2015, 12:15 PM	#8
sirrealism Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hudson FL Posts: 1,249	Thanks all. I am just trying to think outside the box. If all water coming out of display has to go through the skimmer then I should have better nutrient control meaning less N03 and P04. Then again I posted this here to hear others thoughts on this because I could be way off __________________ New build. 300g 8' tank. SPS dominant Current Tank Info: 150g mixed. 93g cube nem. 90g mixed. 40b softy

01/27/2015, 10:53 AM	#2
blindskater02 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: St.Pete, Florida Posts: 740	I would leave it as is. You are not going to improve filtration by removing the filter sock.

01/27/2015, 12:40 PM	#9
rogergolf66 im an addict lol Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Land o lakes, FLorida Posts: 12,930	U would need a recirculation skimmer and then u would have to size your return pump to the skimmer if u wanted 100% through the skimmer every time. What skimmer r u running? __________________ Goal levels: salinity 35ppt, temp 78-79, alk 8-9, cal 430-450, mag 1310-1400 po4 .03, no3 1-3 Current Tank Info: System 1... 100 gal Zoa tank I built, 30 gal Ric Yuma shroom tank, 30 gal mix tank my sons,40 gal softie tank, 40 gal nem tank, two 40 gal LPS tank. System 2... 240 gal SPS display attached 100 gal frag SPS only tank.

01/27/2015, 02:00 PM	#10
sirrealism Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hudson FL Posts: 1,249	iTECH 100 __________________ New build. 300g 8' tank. SPS dominant Current Tank Info: 150g mixed. 93g cube nem. 90g mixed. 40b softy

01/27/2015, 02:17 PM	#11
sirrealism Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hudson FL Posts: 1,249	Return is a 500GPH but I would think that with head I am prob down to about 300GPH or less. The skimmer has the aquabee pump on it. trying to find out what the aquabee flows at __________________ New build. 300g 8' tank. SPS dominant Current Tank Info: 150g mixed. 93g cube nem. 90g mixed. 40b softy

01/27/2015, 02:20 PM	#12
blindskater02 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: St.Pete, Florida Posts: 740	In sump skimmers are not designed to hook a drain line direct to the input of the skimmer pump. It will mess with the water/air draw mix and make the skimmer much less efficient. As stated a recirclating skimmer, depending on size, would be a better option to direct all flow from a tank into but still not recomended.

01/27/2015, 05:49 PM	#13
CuzzA Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Palm Harbor, FL Posts: 2,997	The biggest problem I see with this is your first sentence. Even if running the drain to the skimmer pump was successful you increase your risk of a flood substaintaily by the fact you have one drain pipe that now will have a potential obstruction right smack in front of it. If the pumps intake or the skimmers output were to clog you're going to have a flood. Just a reduction in flow could create enough loss of water flowing through that your display would overflow. I wouldn't do it on my tank. If you don't want to run bags, don't. There's plenty of systems that don't use them.

01/28/2015, 02:40 AM	#14
BobbyV Established since 2008 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Apollo Beach, FL Posts: 2,190	My tank drain is positioned into my skimmer chamber of my sump. I am running an SRO 5000INT so the 5000 bubble blaster pumps sucks a lot of water. The skimmer acts as a vacuum. It been very efficient. Granted, yes some detritus build up over time, but I would rather suck it up once every three months or so than mess with filter socks every few days. I don't have anything floating around in my tank since I designed my sump with multiple bubble traps. I am also turning over a lot of water volume, which I am sure helps the cause and gives more exposure to my skimmer. Two things in this hobby are the devil. Sand Beds and Filter Socks!