Recirc Skimmer question

[Phishy]

I have a mag9.5 for the return for the sump, and a lifereef overflow box, which is rated up to 600gph, so the mag climbing I am guessing about 4.5ft with 2 90degree turns isn't putting up more then that.

Can I run the overflow directly into the skimmer and then just have a gatevalve to control skimmer height at the base (instead of those funky returns on the euroreef/octopuss) and then run a recirc nw pump off of that?

I am hoping to still keep it in sump. I could maybe get 8, 10 or 12in diameter PVC to make it.

Would it be too much water going in to make it effective?

How strong of a pump woudl I need?

The only issue I don't care for is that I would not be able to have my filter sock pre-skimmer, so when I clean my glass junk would get in it.

I am thinking something like the octopuss? Have an angled down feed line and a "T" for the recirc.

[crvz]

a lot of folks do use their drain to introduce new water to a recirc skimmer, but you'll want to keep it considerably under the 600 gph. I'd say in the 200-300 gallon max. All you need to do is T off the drain and run it into the skimmer.

Not really sure I understand the point of the huge diameter PVC. What is that for? Is that to be used as a skimmer body?

[Phishy]

Yes the large pvc would be skimmer body, I saw either the larger octopuss or euroreef have 8in diameter bodies/reaction chamber, and everything would plum into that. (similar to the diy 5gallon water jug skimmer)

If people put ther skimmer in the sump isn't that the same principle as running the entire return to the skimmer? You are still getting the same amount of air added, or is it that that high of a turn over in the skimmer would essentially be equal to a low contact time?

Less water more time v more water less time

[Jnicho]

I considered going straight into the skimmer...but it became logistically challenging...and I really wanted to still run a sock.