Sump flow rate

[Myka]

Originally Posted by Enigma

I've read that 6.1 times the display volume is the magic number for the flow rate. I don't know how that number was derived.

This is correct. 6.1x turnover is the amount it takes for 99.9% of the total water volume to flow through the sump in a 24 hour period. This is considered the most efficient number. A skimmer can only process so much water during any given time, so providing excess flow does little for it. Anything more is considered a waste of electricity, plus a larger pump is likely to add more heat to the water as well.

Take a look at Bubble Magus who have a line of skimmers that have internal pumps, and therefore a much smaller footprint. The SWC skimmers also have an internal pump, although if you buy one you are giving money to a convicted smuggler. Btw, you say the water is 13" deep in the sump? Or do you mean the sump is 13" deep? Most smaller skimmers are designed to operate in 6-8" of water.

[NanoCat]

The sump is 16" deep with a water line of 13" in the skimmer section but I could easily put the skimmer on a riser.

would this skimmer be adequate:
Bubble Magus BM-NAC3.5 Cone Skimmer

it is supposedly rated for 25 - 80 gallons and fits in my chamber.
does anyone have experience with this skimmer. is and good or is it noisy?



the skimmers i have already are rated for 10-52 tunze and remora is 5-25
so I can see how the remora would be out but would the tunze still not be good enough?

[Myka]

On a quick look, it appears the NAC3.5 doesn't have a silencer on the air intake which means the intake is probably audible. Maybe you can order one and add it? I'm not sure. I'm not familiar with the pumps either, so someone else would have to comment on noise there.

I don't have first-hand experience with these skimmers although they look good on paper. They are a proven design that is very popular among many skimmer manufacturers.