plumbing help!!

[canorojas]

got a 125 g tank with an overflow box that goes down to a sump/ref.
need help with connecting all the pieces including my in sump PM bullet skimmer. things got a bit confused with skimmer pump, return pumps, etc...
Been trying to find sites explaining it but cant find any.
your help will be veeeeeery appreciate!!!!
many many thanks!!

 

[KathyC]

If I am understanding your questions correctly...

You need to take it one step at a time.
First get the tank /overflow box/sump running in conjunction with the return pump ..and then you can attack your skimmer.

Take a look at this- the picture shows a tank/sump in operation and what you should expect.

http://www.melevsreef.com/allmysumps.html
btw - what size is the sump?

 

[canorojas]

thank you. got a 30ish sump i believe i got from Custom King here at MR.
i am ok until i get to d skimmer chamber. dont really understand d plumbing for a skimmer since i got my PM used. after all the chambers i think its pretty straight return pump to tank right?

 

[KathyC]

Did you look at the link I posted?

What kind of skimmer do you have?

 

[canorojas]

i did. i got a PM bullet skimmer. goes inside one of the chambers. dont really understand what and where to pipe the thing to and from. thank u!!

 

[ming]

You know where the inlet of the PM bullet skimmer is right? You typically use a vinyl tubing to connect to the skimmer, unless you have a much bigger PM bullet skimmer. Would need to know the exact model #.
Are you using vinyl tubing for your plumbing, or PVC? If PVC, you can get adapters which will output to ridged tubing.
Hope you have a good size pump too, if you want it to pump your return and skimmer with 1 pump. The PM bullets need a strong pump to work better.

 

[canorojas]

thanks ming. what would you recommend for plumbing ? pvc or vynil? i guess my question is where does the water goes from the skimmer? just to the chamber where is placed?
thanks!!

 

[ming]

PVC if you can, but depending on how its placed, vinyl may be easier. I believe the inlet of the skimmer has a barbed fitting, so you may need to use vinyl anyways. If you use vinyl, use hose clamps because they can become brittle over time and easily slip out.
From the skimmer, the output will go back into the sump. Some water might be recirculated back into the skimmer, and some will return to the display.
You can lookup the recommended GPH on your skimmer, and then add however many GPH you want on your display (120g has 2 overflows so it can handle up to 1200GPH). You should deduct head pressure so your pump will really pump less after pumping up to the display.

 

[canorojas]

thank you so much ming. that was actually my main doubt about the skimmer re-skimming the same water it just cleaned! appreciate the help!!

 

[seldin]

Canorojas,

My first hookup for my sump was a real pain. As a beginner, a number of years ago, it was difficult for my first setup. I was especially worried about leaks.

After going through all of this, I think for my "first setup", it would have been great to ask a local reefer to help setup your first system. After you see it setup, it becomes clear what was done. It becomes much easier.

After my first setup, like many other reefers, I became a proficient PVC plumbing guru. Meaning, by making many mistakes and "floods", which luckily occurred on my deck outside, I became good at PVC plumbing. Which to tell you, is really easy, once you get the hang of it.

So I guess, I would like to suggest, getting a local reefer to come down and either do or help doing your first setup. Makes life much easier.

I did suggest this approach to a newbie friend that I hooked into the hobby. He is also now a PVC guru. It is not difficult, it's just the first time that is "painful", ha,ha...

 

[canorojas]

thank u so much seldin. will do!

 

[kaOzGrUnT]

I'll help. pm me