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WhiteReef 
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 Topic: Raised skimmer above the sand
Posted: March 16 2011 at 2:38pm |
I thought I would post this to get some feedback. At the moment I am working on getting an in-sump skimmer to help with the filtration in my glass ocean. The issue is that I would lose a bit more than half of the sand bed I have in my refugium. I know that sand beds are great to help in nitrate reduction and other nitrogen compounds, so I wanted to not lose that benefit with the new skimmer. Also the amount of sand in the display tank is small due to the dimensions of the tank. This bring me to my question.
Can I just put in the skimmer on a platform an inch above the sand and still get the benefit?
Info about my tank
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Richard
Former 47G Column Reef, Magna
20" x 18" x 31"H
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bfessler
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Posted: March 16 2011 at 2:55pm |
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Possibly but you would want to take precautions to make sure bits and pieces from the sump don't get sucked into the skimmer.
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Burt
An equal opportunity reefer,
I support all hobbyists and organizations involved in Marine Aquarium Keeping.
[email protected]
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WhiteReef
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Posted: March 16 2011 at 3:00pm |
Makes sense. Along with that is that I use the sump/refugium to put my top off water into. That would mean the potential of stirring up the sand bed. Not good. Almost talked out of the idea, but I still want to see what other people think too.
I think the only way around that besides the raised platform is to make is almost cover the top of the sand, but raised at least 1 inch with some small holes drilled in it. That has its own issues, suffocation.
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Richard
Former 47G Column Reef, Magna
20" x 18" x 31"H
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wickedsnowman
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Posted: March 16 2011 at 4:32pm |
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Most in sump skimmers require a specific water level that is consistant to work right.
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bfessler
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Posted: March 16 2011 at 4:33pm |
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Make a separate box out of acrylic and mount it in the tank above the sand bed either on legs or hung on the side. This will isolate the skimmer from the rest of the sump and allow you to control the depth of the water in the skimmer compartment as well. Kind of like an in tank refugium but for a skimmer.
Edited by bfessler - March 16 2011 at 4:33pm
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Burt
An equal opportunity reefer,
I support all hobbyists and organizations involved in Marine Aquarium Keeping.
[email protected]
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WhiteReef
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Joined: September 03 2002
Location: Magna, UT
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Posted: March 16 2011 at 4:38pm |
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Burt - I like that idea, but I don't have room inside the stand to do something outside the sump, but inside the sump above the sand might work. I might do that as I have a few different ideas on how to keep the water level at the proper height and that might be a solution too.
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Richard
Former 47G Column Reef, Magna
20" x 18" x 31"H
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