Install Protein Skimmer in Sump by following those steps.
Step 1: Take Measurements
The first thing you need to do is take measurements. You have to take note of the width and height of your aquarium. This will help you determine the exact size of protein skimmer that you need to buy. It is important to always go for a skimmer that is just right for your aquarium since it can affect its performance.
Once you have taken note of the measurements, you can start looking for the ideal protein skimmer for your aquarium. Do not forget to check the manufacturer’s recommendations on the right size that should be used for your aquarium. Make sure that you read reviews, so you will know what other people are saying about the product and whether or not it can deliver on its promises.
When buying a protein skimmer, make sure that it has a better performance compared with what you already have. If you are shopping online, check out the specifications carefully and compare it with other products in order to get the best value for your money.
Step 2: Prepare The Sump For Installation
If you have a protein skimmer and are ready to get it installed in your sump, you’ll be happy to know that the process is fairly straight-forward. The following steps will help you to prepare your sump for installation.
Step 1: Don’t install your protein skimmer in the refugium section of your sump. Instead, install it in its own section. This will ensure good flow, circulation and minimal disturbance to the plants in the refugium.
Step 2: Prepare a section of sump near the water return line for installation of the protein skimmer. A good place would be near the top of the lowest section of your sump. To create a new section, find a spot where there are no baffles to obstruct your work. Use a saw to cut through one side of the sump creating an opening large enough for you to easily insert your arm into.
Step 3: Measure how much room you need for the protein skimmer and then use a saw to cut out a piece of acrylic or glass so that it fits snugly into the opening you created in step 2. Make sure that there are no sharp edges remaining from cutting away the plastic or glass as this could cause injury if
Step 3: Install The Intake Pipe
The first step of installing a protein skimmer will be to install the intake pipe. This means that you need to drill a hole in the sump’s wall where the pipe will go through. You can use either a power drill or hand drill, depending on what you find most comfortable.
After drilling the hole, run both the intake and the return pipes through it. The intake pipe is one of those with a wider diameter (it should be around 2 inches), which means that it is connected to the pump. This pipe is also responsible for siphoning water into the skimmer.
The return pipe will come right after this, in order to allow water to flow back into the sump chamber. It should have a narrower diameter than the intake pipe (around ½ inch), and it will be connected to an overflow box or another return mechanism.
Step 4: Attach Protein Skimmer To Sump
Attach the protein skimmer to your sump or refugium. You can do this by simply placing the body of your skimmer into the sump, making sure that it is not sitting directly on the bottom, but on a few rocks or some other raised object to ensure that the water can flow through it properly.
If you have an acrylic tank, do not put silicone (or anything else) on the edges of the acrylic where you are going to place your skimmer because it will cause damage to your tank. Simply place the skimmer on top of the sump and adjust it until it is stable and won’t fall over.
You may need to purchase a separate pump for your protein skimmer. If so, choose one with a flow rate similar to what you have in your sump tank so that you don’t add too much water flow and create turbulence in the skimming chamber.
Once you have chosen a pump and attached it to the body of your skimmer, all that’s left is to attach hoses and tubes, which vary depending on what type of protein skimmer you have, but typically attach to both ends of the pump and allow water flow between the two tanks.
Step 5: Secure The Unit In Place And Test It Out!
Once you’ve completed the steps above, secure your protein skimmer unit in place and test it out. Most units come with an air pump, but if your unit doesn’t, you’ll need to buy one separately and set it up before you can use the skimmer.
Connect the tubing from the air pump to the protein skimmer’s input valve and plug in the air pump. Once the airflow is turned on, you should see bubbles forming in the column of water inside the skimmer. If bubbles are not forming or are not forming properly, check all of your connections for leaks and verify that everything is properly assembled.
How often do you need to clean your protein skimmer? This will depend on factors such as how many fish are in your tank and what kind of filtration system you have in place. In general, most people clean their protein skimmers every 1-2 weeks. You may need to change or clean out parts of the unit more or less frequently depending on how dirty your water gets and how quickly buildup occurs inside your tank.
Last Words
It is possible to install the protein skimmer in sump. However, the size of your protein skimmer will matter and you should be aware of some basic things before buying and installing one. Hence, make sure you consult an expert if you have no idea on how to go ahead with it.