Protein Skimmer

[MasterBlaster]

Would it be okay if I moved my skimmer to my refugium? I operate sumpless. It would be nice to get it out of the main tank, but I'm worried the slower flow in the refugium(50gph, 30 gal ) might compromise the main tanks chance to be skimmed properly. However, I do have 2/3 of my main 46 tank filled with live rock, along with a 2-3 in. LSB. I would thing any loss of skimming would be made up by this. Also, is 50gph enough flow for my 'fuge? It seems slow to me, and I do realize they require a much slower rate than my main tank. I would just like to have a little more flow, if thats okay. Would the skimmer reduce the "critter - production" abilities of my 'fuge substaintially? Would moving it help the corraline algae in my main tank? Thanks.

[scubadude]

Would it be okay if I moved my skimmer to my refugium? I operate sumpless. It would be nice to get it out of the main tank, but I'm worried the slower flow in the refugium(50gph, 30 gal ) might compromise the main tanks chance to be skimmed properly. However, I do have 2/3 of my main 46 tank filled with live rock, along with a 2-3 in. LSB. I would thing any loss of skimming would be made up by this. Also, is 50gph enough flow for my 'fuge? It seems slow to me, and I do realize they require a much slower rate than my main tank. I would just like to have a little more flow, if thats okay. Would the skimmer reduce the "critter - production" abilities of my 'fuge substaintially? Would moving it help the corraline algae in my main tank? Thanks.

Hi masterblaster
I had always run my skimmer intake right before my fuge and the output of it dumped into the first section of my fuge so I dont see any problem with running your skimmer in your fuge area as long as you dont comprimise the benefits that you are getting or want to get out of your fuge. I would definately think you would put a little more flow in your fuge, and alot of ppl think that macros/pods dont like flow when in fact they do but there is a fine line, I think its gonna be hard to tell until you actually try it. FWIW I had problems with slime algaes in my fuge which is better in my fuge then my main tank but when I increased the flow a tad bit more in my fuge the slime algae went away and the macros actually grew more. Im just ranting out loud for you and if you can get anything out of it then kewl beans!

Rocky

[MasterBlaster]

Hi masterblaster
I had always run my skimmer intake right before my fuge and the output of it dumped into the first section of my fuge so I dont see any problem with running your skimmer in your fuge area as long as you dont comprimise the benefits that you are getting or want to get out of your fuge. I would definately think you would put a little more flow in your fuge, and alot of ppl think that macros/pods dont like flow when in fact they do but there is a fine line, I think its gonna be hard to tell until you actually try it. FWIW I had problems with slime algaes in my fuge which is better in my fuge then my main tank but when I increased the flow a tad bit more in my fuge the slime algae went away and the macros actually grew more. Im just ranting out loud for you and if you can get anything out of it then kewl beans!

Rocky

Thanks, Scubadude. I wonder if I should just increase the internal flow, or increase the actual in-out flow. My 'fuge is not baffled, and I'm still concerned about skimming(destroying) my critters, thereby defeating half of the reason I use a 'fuge. Any thoughts?

[scubadude]

My 'fuge is not baffled, and I'm still concerned about skimming(destroying) my critters, thereby defeating half of the reason I use a 'fuge. Any thoughts?

Any way you could put some baffles in? Maybe even make some type of barriers w/ eggcrate....I have even used LR to shield or somewhat filter the intake/output areas, alot of this has to do w/how much room you have in your fuge

[MasterBlaster]

Any way you could put some baffles in? Maybe even make some type of barriers w/ eggcrate....I have even used LR to shield or somewhat filter the intake/output areas, alot of this has to do w/how much room you have in your fuge

My 'fuge is a 40 gal rubbermaid container. For simplicities sake, I was trying to get by without baffles. The imput flows gently against one side, and the overflow is on the other side. The LSB is not disturbed, and I plan on using a prefilter on my Bak-Pac to reduce any critter puree. Does this sound like a crappy set-up? My 'fuge is relatively new, but my tank is over 3 yrs old.