Can an in-sump skimmer be converted to a hang-on?

SeaShel · 02-27-2004, 04:26 PM

Has anyone out there ever converted an in-sump skimmer (for example a Berlin) to become a hang-on model?
If so, what did the project involve?
I can acquire a sump type skimmer for minimal cost, but do not have a sump or any room for one at this time.
I would greatly appreciate any conversion info you could give.
Thanks in advance for the help.

Frogfish · 02-27-2004, 04:49 PM

To be honest, I have not done this but am just thinking about what would be involved...

I have a Berlin skimmer in my sump. However, I could envision it sitting on a shelf that hangs onto the tank. Your pump would need to sit inside the tank and the shelf height would be such that the return of the skimmer empties into the tank. You do not want much back pressure on the skimmer return so I would be sure that the skimmer outlets are above the rim of the tank and drain down into the tank.

The more I think about it the more I think it could be done. Don't know if anyone out there has done it. But heck if it is that good of a deal they give it a shot... the worst that happens is that it doesn't work

BoomerD · 02-27-2004, 05:17 PM

I think it would depend on the type of skimmer involved. Most manufacturers either make an in-sump skimmer or an external skimmmer, and only a couple makd ones that can be used either way, however, the vast majority of in-sump skimmers, bu their design would make a heck of a mess if you tried to use them as a hang on. They're not designed to be totally water tight, or to completely direct all the discharge water thru piping to a specific location without leakage. I have a Kent Nautilus, and the discharge piping is how you set the column water level, and the wter just spills out of the top of thetube. I think if you tried to use it any other way, you'd have quite a flood.
Again, what kind of skimmer is it, and maybe we can give you more/better information

SeaShel · 02-27-2004, 09:31 PM

Thanks for the info so far. The skimmer is one of the original Berlin skimmers. It is not the newer turbo variety.
I'm thinking that if I can make this work it would be a vast improvement from the Prizm skimmer I currently have to fight with daily.

mps9506 · 02-27-2004, 10:28 PM

You can convert it to hang on by using pvc, not to difficult, but do you really want a rio 2100 sitting in your display tank?
If you have the original box you can see how the Berlins can be setup to hang on "mode". Basically couple of 90 elbows, and some daptor fittings to make em fit. I think the venturi should accept a 3/4 inch male pvc adapter. Not sure about those outlets however.
Mike

02-27-2004, 04:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
SeaShel Tubeworm Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 28 View Gallery Karma Komment	Can an in-sump skimmer be converted to a hang-on? Has anyone out there ever converted an in-sump skimmer (for example a Berlin) to become a hang-on model? If so, what did the project involve? I can acquire a sump type skimmer for minimal cost, but do not have a sump or any room for one at this time. I would greatly appreciate any conversion info you could give. Thanks in advance for the help.

02-27-2004, 04:49 PM	#2 (permalink)
Frogfish Tubeworm Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 32 View Gallery Karma Komment	To be honest, I have not done this but am just thinking about what would be involved... I have a Berlin skimmer in my sump. However, I could envision it sitting on a shelf that hangs onto the tank. Your pump would need to sit inside the tank and the shelf height would be such that the return of the skimmer empties into the tank. You do not want much back pressure on the skimmer return so I would be sure that the skimmer outlets are above the rim of the tank and drain down into the tank. The more I think about it the more I think it could be done. Don't know if anyone out there has done it. But heck if it is that good of a deal they give it a shot... the worst that happens is that it doesn't work

02-27-2004, 05:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,234 View Gallery Karma Komment	I think it would depend on the type of skimmer involved. Most manufacturers either make an in-sump skimmer or an external skimmmer, and only a couple makd ones that can be used either way, however, the vast majority of in-sump skimmers, bu their design would make a heck of a mess if you tried to use them as a hang on. They're not designed to be totally water tight, or to completely direct all the discharge water thru piping to a specific location without leakage. I have a Kent Nautilus, and the discharge piping is how you set the column water level, and the wter just spills out of the top of thetube. I think if you tried to use it any other way, you'd have quite a flood. Again, what kind of skimmer is it, and maybe we can give you more/better information

02-27-2004, 09:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
SeaShel Tubeworm Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 28 View Gallery Karma Komment	Thanks for the info so far. The skimmer is one of the original Berlin skimmers. It is not the newer turbo variety. I'm thinking that if I can make this work it would be a vast improvement from the Prizm skimmer I currently have to fight with daily.

02-27-2004, 10:28 PM	#5 (permalink)
mps9506 They misunderestimated me Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Charlotte and Wilmington, NC Posts: 6,862 View Gallery Karma Komment	You can convert it to hang on by using pvc, not to difficult, but do you really want a rio 2100 sitting in your display tank? If you have the original box you can see how the Berlins can be setup to hang on "mode". Basically couple of 90 elbows, and some daptor fittings to make em fit. I think the venturi should accept a 3/4 inch male pvc adapter. Not sure about those outlets however. Mike

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