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  1. #1
    Member Rank = Sansai Mannh85's Avatar
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    Can I 'Tee' my skimmer into the bottom drain line?

    Hi guys,

    So can I join my no-niche skimmer into my bottom drain line? Both are gravity fed to drum running 4" pipework and I would put in as many valves as required to be able to purge the lines.

    I'm sure somebody will be able to tell me why this is a bad idea but it seems crazy to have these two runs of pipework side by side ending up in the same place in the drum filter!

    Thanks



  2. #2
    Senior Member Rank = Hassai Mike Bass's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mannh85 View Post
    Hi guys,

    So can I join my no-niche skimmer into my bottom drain line? Both are gravity fed to drum running 4" pipework and I would put in as many valves as required to be able to purge the lines.

    I'm sure somebody will be able to tell me why this is a bad idea but it seems crazy to have these two runs of pipework side by side ending up in the same place in the drum filter!

    Thanks
    In my opinion If the skimmer is not also 4” the bottom drain would always dominate the water flow, putting valves in may balance this out but only by reducing the flow of one or both flows. By using one pipe instead of two again you are halving the possible pull of solid fish waste / sediment / weed from the pond to the drum as you slow the flow rate & volume down & a T piece will again have an effect on flow rate.
    1kGal BD/Skim RDF/UV/k1 2.3kGal 2windows 2airBD/skim Sieve/Eazypod RDFcombi+bakki 3xVP/UV,ASHP

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  4. #3
    Member Rank = Sansai Mannh85's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Bass View Post
    In my opinion If the skimmer is not also 4” the bottom drain would always dominate the water flow, putting valves in may balance this out but only by reducing the flow of one or both flows. By using one pipe instead of two again you are halving the possible pull of solid fish waste / sediment / weed from the pond to the drum as you slow the flow rate & volume down & a T piece will again have an effect on flow rate.
    Hi mike, thanks for the info - yes both lines are on 4”. So the flow rate would be halved combining the lines? Even though two separate lines would go to the same place anyway and be pulled by the same pump rate? Just trying to understand the concept, not aiming to slow the flow down though that’s for sure!

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  6. #4
    Senior Member Rank = Hassai Mike Bass's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mannh85 View Post
    Hi mike, thanks for the info - yes both lines are on 4”. So the flow rate would be halved combining the lines? Even though two separate lines would go to the same place anyway and be pulled by the same pump rate? Just trying to understand the concept, not aiming to slow the flow down though that’s for sure!
    Yes the flow rate would be halved with more settlement of solids. My original set up going into a T from a 4” bottom drain & a 4” side drain didn’t do as well into the vortex until I separated the pipes into a drum.B54BF49E-083B-4680-86DB-9AFB91A7C796.jpgthen the flow was better still using the same fixed pump.

    43BEBCA0-2DD1-4ACF-89C9-3201AD44CF39.jpg
    1kGal BD/Skim RDF/UV/k1 2.3kGal 2windows 2airBD/skim Sieve/Eazypod RDFcombi+bakki 3xVP/UV,ASHP

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  8. #5
    Senior Member Rank = Adult Champion Gazkoi's Avatar
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    I know some of the members on here have managed this, however as Mike says balancing with valves will be required. Potentially these will need adjusting when the water level changes too.

    Personally I would opt to put a small variable pump on the skimmer line to ensure a constant, controlled and gradual pull. Need to be careful though to not overspill a gravity fed/designed filter.

    Cheers

    Gaz
    Hobby and business gone but when you’re hooked you’re hooked.

    Always happy to help!!

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  10. #6
    Senior Member Rank = Hassai Mike Bass's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gazkoi View Post
    I know some of the members on here have managed this, however as Mike says balancing with valves will be required. Potentially these will need adjusting when the water level changes too.

    Personally I would opt to put a small variable pump on the skimmer line to ensure a constant, controlled and gradual pull. Need to be careful though to not overspill a gravity fed/designed filter.

    Cheers

    Gaz
    Gaz is right I had problems with the bio chamber being starved of water then next minute water pouring over the chamber as the return flow was too little....finding the sweet spot took time
    1kGal BD/Skim RDF/UV/k1 2.3kGal 2windows 2airBD/skim Sieve/Eazypod RDFcombi+bakki 3xVP/UV,ASHP

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