Protein skimmer and biocube water level

Matrix14 · Jan 19, 2016

Hi,
Did a post on white flakes the other night and now have another question,( the life of a newbee lol

). I just recieved my eshopps insump protein skimmer 100 gallon (I have 75 gallon fowlr tank, new set up no fish yet, still cycling). My pump on protien skimmer sits 8 inches high,and instructions say use at least 10 inches of water. The problem is if I ever have a siphon break my tank will over flow big time by adding that water. Any way I can prevent this or somehow fix that issue. I was thinking of returning it or selling it and just get a hob one.

bobman · Jan 19, 2016

Let me make sure I am following you here. You are asking if the protein skimmer can run in 8" of water as opposed to 10" of water due to if your siphon brakes (assuming you are talking a hob overflow here) it will overflow the tank and wind up on your floor.

First do you have a picture of said skimmer. I just looked at as many skimmers I could find rated for 100 gallons made by Eshopps and none of them show a pump 8" high. All of them are on the bottom of the skimmer. The closest I could find is the PSK-100. Do you mean it says to run the skimmer in about 10" of water but the pump is on the bottom of the skimmer and your water level in 8" in the sump. If so you should be ok with that as you can adjust the water level in the skimmer. Might take some tweaking as I think the minimum water height is 9" but you should be able to run it.

Second I would look into the overflow setup myself to prevent any overflow if the siphon should fail. A float switch in the pump compartment of the sump to turn off the return pump and skimmer if the siphon ever did break. Or drill the tank if its a 75 most 75 gallon tanks can be drilled and that the route I would go personally.

Matrix14 · Jan 19, 2016

Line F. The top of pump actually sits 8 inches off floor. I'll show another pic of skimmer and diagram on box.

as shown on box since I can't get clear pic of skimmer in biocube, the top of pump on left side sits 8 inches from bottom.

pic of biocube with skimmer, I'm gonna move this,whole unit to side of stand so I can work with it easier when changing filter and cleaning.

***so by adding that 8-10 inches, I tested a siphon break and I saw it was gonna go over tank lid. It's kinda odd they would put a pump that high if you ask me.

Matrix14 · Jan 19, 2016

I like the float switch idea alot. I might go with that since I'm super nervous in drilling into glass. I've seen it done but with my luck I'd shatter it lol. Great idea for float switch. Thanks!

bobman · Jan 19, 2016

IS this a bio cube or a 75 I am a little confused with the title and your first post? Title says a bio cube and the pic looks like a bio cube stand but the first post says you have a 75 gallon fowlr. In any case you would be fine in 8" of water I would run it in 8.5" just enough to completely submerge the pump. From there you can adjust the water level by turning the tube on the outlet of the skimmer. Only issue I am seeing here is the sump itself looks to have the skimmer in the same compartment as the return pump (hard to see though). By having the skimmer in the same compartment as the return the waterlevel in that compartment will change with evaporation and making the skimmer not perform properly. They need a steady water level to perform correctly or you will always be adjusting it and pulling your hair out as you will never be able to dial it in with changing water levels.

Sabellafella · Jan 19, 2016

Matrix14 said:
I like the float switch idea alot. I might go with that since I'm super nervous in drilling into glass. I've seen it done but with my luck I'd shatter it lol. Great idea for float switch. Thanks!

Yea deffinitly grab the float switches, i currently have them for my skimmer skimate lockers so if it were to e ery overflow i havr it shutoff

Sabellafella · Jan 19, 2016

Btw bro welcome to r2r lol

Matrix14 · Jan 19, 2016

moved the system to side. Was pain working under stand. Iit's a very tight fit for skimmer so I put it on angle and the sump is in corner behind it. Sorry if I didn't discribe tthings right.

side view. And def lost alot of hair figuring things out lol

picture of tank. Just live sand, live rock no fish yet.

As pictured here, the pump sits like that. Top of pump is 8 inches from bottom. Sucks being new and I know it can be annoying, just trying to learn and I appreciate all for helping with answers and ideas. It's much appreciated. Thanks

Matrix14 · Jan 19, 2016

Sabellafella said:
Btw bro welcome to r2r lol

Thanks lol

bobman · Jan 19, 2016

Yeah like I thought there is no way to keep the skimmers water level at a consistent height with evaporation and is going to be a nightmare of a time trying to dial this thing in and honestly will be fighting a losing battle.

If this was my tank I would break out some DIY on it by removing the bioballs (they suck anyway) the top tray and the bottom tray that the bioballs are sitting on. Then get a piece of acrylic and glue (or silicone) it to block the hole at the bottom in between the first and second chamber. Then drill I would say 3 X 1" holes with the bottom of each hole about 8" from the bottom and stick the skimmer in the first chamber. This will keep the first chamber consistently just over 8" and will run the skimmer much more effectively (assuming you can even fit it in the side of the sump. Then just place the overflow tube in the skimmer compartment. Also it will make the return pump section only hold half as much water than it does now as the other half will be cut off thus reducing any chance of water hitting your floor even if the float valve somehow failed at the worst possible moment.

I would much rather have a effective skimmer than bioballs any day of the week.