What type of skimmer?

[wellsm2]

I have the newer model of the Octopus NW-150. It took about a week to break in and about a month for it to really start cranking out skimmate.

 

[masterkaw]

I have the newer model of the Octopus NW-150. It took about a week to break in and about a month for it to really start cranking out skimmate.

Was there a lot of tweaking to get it working?

 

[masterkaw]

That looks fine and should work without any issues. Additionally (and this is highly recommended), you can actually plumb the skimmer into the overflow, thus feeding it and negating the need for an extra pump. I recommend you T off the overflow pipe, with one end feeding the skimmer, the other feeding the 'fuge or sandbed, etc. That will make for higher efficiency for both.

This is exactly what I was thinking of doing. My question would be, what size of overflow should I get? The fuge area is going to be approximately 16" Length, 11.75" Width, and 12" height. I don't have the return pump yet.

 

[wellsm2]

None at all once the break in period was over. I played with it a lot when I first got it because I am an extremely impatient person. But once it started working I raised the riser tube until the water reached the bottom of the collection cup and left it alone. I have not had to tweak it at all in the past three months. I do have an auto top off so the water in my sump is always at the same level and this really helps with not having to worry about playing with the skimmer.

 

[salty420]

not that it's necessary but i just wanted to add that i run the octopus 110 on my 75g. i didn't have a lot of cash to spend on a skimmer but am sooo happy with the 110 so you'd surely be happy with the larger model. my bio-load is light and i've got a 40g sump with 'fuge so that helps but my skimmer sure is great!

 

[Amphiprion]

This is exactly what I was thinking of doing. My question would be, what size of overflow should I get? The fuge area is going to be approximately 16" Length, 11.75" Width, and 12" height. I don't have the return pump yet.

Base it off of the recommended feed rate for the skimmer. Find how much it requires, add some for your 'fuge, and use a bulkhead/overflow calculator to give you the relative size you'll be looking for.

 

[Fishieness]

fishieness, here is a diagram of how I'm planning how to do the plumbing from the skimmer to the sump. The picture is just to give you an idea, not actual. What do you think?

That should work. However, I wouldnt have the wall of the sump be higher than the water-exit part of the skimmer, as that will automaticly raise the water level of the skimmer and keep it constantly high. You may have to play around with it a little to find where you want it.

 

[masterkaw]

That should work. However, I wouldnt have the wall of the sump be higher than the water-exit part of the skimmer, as that will automaticly raise the water level of the skimmer and keep it constantly high. You may have to play around with it a little to find where you want it.

So, I might have to raise the skimmer so the water coming out is dropping in the sump, correct?