External Skimmer

I was interested in going with an external skimmer.

How are they plumbed into the sump, I cant find a diagram, I assume its plumbed into the drain chamber ?

Is there an advantage to an external skimmer besides heat transfer ?

My sump is crowded with my internal redline 100, it is also difficult to adjust, I want a gate valve model.

Any input or sugestions would help

Thanks

 

External isn't going to save you much heat. 90% of the pumps we use are still water cooled internaly. Not that that is a reason not to go external, but if that is a big reason to you, then you won't see much difference.

 

My new skimmer will be external just because i like a very neat and clean area under my tank.

 

Can I hard plumb the supply and return via bulk head ?

I dont want soft pipe ?

 

You should be able to pipe the return via pvc for almost all external skimmers. As for the intakes, some are workable for hard plumbing, while others are designed to work with vinyl, depends on which brand/model you are looking at.

 

Plus it is difficult with soft pipe. Yes it bends, but it does not stay there unless you clamp it down.

Yes, you use bulkheads to get to the sump. how ever you lay it out, just make sure to have as straight as inlet as possible... restriction on the inlet is the worst... obviously it has to fit and you have to work with what you have... just try to minimize if possible and oversize the inlet if you can... at least go by manufacturers specs.

 

I've never used an external, but have seen plenty in action. The two main reasons to use them are, as your need is, a lack of space in the sump and easier access.

The access would be my main reason for using one. I've been lucky, however, in that for the last 10 years I've had remote sumps that are large and easy to access. So internal works fine for me.

As for plumbing, it totally depends on the skimmer as to what to use. All I've seen are plumbed in with vinyl tubing as their inputs/outputs were barbed fittings for such (yes you need to use clamps).

 

I have a 50 gal DT with a 25 gal Sump

I hate the internal skimmer

I want to hard pipe both intake and return

Is there a good skimmer for these specs ?

 

Im looking at the reef creations MR1 skimmer,

Can this be hrad plumbed or does it need to be gravity fed ?

 

The output on these needs to be gravity and you need to be careful about having them external where the output can be below the water line in the event of a main pump failure as the pressure can cause the skimmer to overflow.

That skimmer looks a little large for your size tank. Have you looked at the Reef Octopus skimmers? Always a good bang for the buck.

Reef Octopus DNWB 110 Recirculating Protein Skimmer - AquaCave