Trouble understanding sump protein skimmers

harif87 · 06-22-2006, 10:32 PM

Hey sorry if i sound like an idiot, but ive done some reading about different types of protein skimmers. I understood the different types and how they worked but one concept i couldnt grasp was the idea of a sump in regards to a protein skimmer. What i dont understand is how the sump would be set up(i.e. around how big should it be) and also how the water would be pumped back up to the display tank if its all the way on gorund level. And is the whole (or part) of the sump filled with water or is it there just to save you from overflowing??

A site or a referred book would be great if you can. Thanks alot.

Reefneck · 06-23-2006, 04:57 AM

www.melevsreef.com

**TheOldSalt** · 06-23-2006, 08:05 AM

The sump pump is what returns the water to the tank. The skimmer pump only runs the skimmer. the skimmer only skims some of the water in the sump as it flow nearby it; a lot of water gets past it to be skimmed later on the next go-round.

harif87 · 06-25-2006, 07:00 PM

So the only machines i would have in the sump would be the skimmer and a water pump, right?

Reefneck · 06-25-2006, 07:02 PM

And your heater if you want to keep it hidden from view.

harif87 · 06-25-2006, 07:14 PM

Beauty, i think i got it all down pat. Im almost done planning, probably gonna go start buying the begginging things in a week or 2 (im taking it slow). But i cant wait!! ill post pics when im almost done (in about a month lol)

Just one more Q: I cant seem to find a place to buy allready made sumps, will i have to make one myself, or improvise with a 20 gallon tank or somehting?

Reefneck · 06-25-2006, 07:52 PM

There are companies that make them like Pro Clear Aquatics. Also CPR makes some but they are all very expensive. It's much cheaper to build your own and you get the enjoyment of saying "I built it myself" when you are done.

brian102 · 08-21-2006, 06:55 PM

dont forget u can put ur bubbler down there, saves cleaning the glass lids alot:P

gdwb10101 · 08-21-2006, 08:28 PM

maybe a noob question, but whats a bubbler?

06-22-2006, 10:32 PM	#1
harif87 Minor Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Age: 21 Posts: 992	Trouble understanding sump protein skimmers Hey sorry if i sound like an idiot, but ive done some reading about different types of protein skimmers. I understood the different types and how they worked but one concept i couldnt grasp was the idea of a sump in regards to a protein skimmer. What i dont understand is how the sump would be set up(i.e. around how big should it be) and also how the water would be pumped back up to the display tank if its all the way on gorund level. And is the whole (or part) of the sump filled with water or is it there just to save you from overflowing?? A site or a referred book would be great if you can. Thanks alot. __________________ sorry for beating you senseless "The human torch was denied a bank loan"

06-23-2006, 04:57 AM	#2
Reefneck Senior Aquarist Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Near a Coral Reef Age: 47 Posts: 1,351	www.melevsreef.com __________________ I wonder how much salt mix I would need to turn our in ground pool into a Reef.

06-25-2006, 07:00 PM	#4
harif87 Minor Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Age: 21 Posts: 992	So the only machines i would have in the sump would be the skimmer and a water pump, right? __________________ sorry for beating you senseless "The human torch was denied a bank loan"

06-25-2006, 07:02 PM	#5
Reefneck Senior Aquarist Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Near a Coral Reef Age: 47 Posts: 1,351	And your heater if you want to keep it hidden from view. __________________ I wonder how much salt mix I would need to turn our in ground pool into a Reef.

06-25-2006, 07:14 PM	#6
harif87 Minor Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Age: 21 Posts: 992	Beauty, i think i got it all down pat. Im almost done planning, probably gonna go start buying the begginging things in a week or 2 (im taking it slow). But i cant wait!! ill post pics when im almost done (in about a month lol) Just one more Q: I cant seem to find a place to buy allready made sumps, will i have to make one myself, or improvise with a 20 gallon tank or somehting? __________________ sorry for beating you senseless "The human torch was denied a bank loan" Last edited by harif87; 06-25-2006 at 07:17 PM.

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06-23-2006, 08:05 AM	#3
TheOldSalt Darth Ichthyos Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,253	The sump pump is what returns the water to the tank. The skimmer pump only runs the skimmer. the skimmer only skims some of the water in the sump as it flow nearby it; a lot of water gets past it to be skimmed later on the next go-round.

06-25-2006, 07:52 PM	#7
Reefneck Senior Aquarist Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Near a Coral Reef Age: 47 Posts: 1,351	There are companies that make them like Pro Clear Aquatics. Also CPR makes some but they are all very expensive. It's much cheaper to build your own and you get the enjoyment of saying "I built it myself" when you are done. __________________ I wonder how much salt mix I would need to turn our in ground pool into a Reef.

08-21-2006, 06:55 PM	#8
brian102 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: michigan Age: 18 Posts: 30	dont forget u can put ur bubbler down there, saves cleaning the glass lids alot:P

08-21-2006, 08:28 PM	#9
gdwb10101 Newblit Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Miami Age: 19 Posts: 251	maybe a noob question, but whats a bubbler? __________________ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hb-2X8l49uQ

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