Gate valve plumbed onto a skimmer

[acharpenter]

Can ya'll tell me why you would plumb in a gate valve on a skimmer?

We were helping someone set up thier new tank with sump and they got alot of thier sump equipment off a used buy and the skimmer had a gate valve - why would this be needed?

[this1fish]

i'm assuming it is used to control the water level within the chamber. Better way to fine tune vs what ever it came with.

[acharpenter]

i'm assuming it is used to control the water level within the chamber. Better way to fine tune vs what ever it came with.

So you would say plumbing it in the sump should be the way to go?

He can keep his water level high enough with a baffle.....

[David Grigor]

Depends on the skimmer design. Some skimmers the pump can't be submerged more than like 6" because it reduces the ability to suck in air causing poor performance. For that type of skimmer, a gate valve on the exit port is a way to fine control the water level inside the skimmer without having to keep in deeper water.

[acharpenter]

:bow::bow::bow::bow::bow:


Depends on the skimmer design. Some skimmers the pump can't be submerged more than like 6" because it reduces the ability to suck in air causing poor performance. For that type of skimmer, a gate valve on the exit port is a way to fine control the water level inside the skimmer without having to keep in deeper water.

Thanks David!!

[this1fish]

So you would say plumbing it in the sump should be the way to go?

He can keep his water level high enough with a baffle.....

sorry i didnt have enough details, david hit exactly what i meant to say.