Plumbing stand-alone protein skimmer question

[Jabba954]

Hey guys - just putting the finishing touches on my shark pool, and ready to plumb in the ETSS 5000 protein skimmer. Unfortunately, ETSS didn't provide any install instructions, and they're sort of tough to get in touch with.

Basically, I want to know if it matters where on the tank I mount the outlets and inlets from the tank (vertically)? The ETSS 5000 features a single 1.5" inlet at the top of the skimmer, and 2x 2" outlets at the bottom of the skimmer. I was planning on placing the skimmer on the same level as the bottom of the pool. It's a closed system - do I need an air release tower?

Right now, it is:

Out from tank ---> Ball Valve (BV) ---> 2hp Hayward pool pump --> ETSS 5000 ---> 2x BV ---> 2x pool return.

My thinking was to have the outlet from the pool a few inches below the surface, and the returns about 1/4 of the way up the wall. Thoughts?

 

[Zoodiver]

I'd return it to the surface of the pool and keep the bottom of the skimmer at water level, if not higher.

 

[Jabba954]

oooh... not going to be possible - water level's at 4', and skimmer is 6' tall... in an 8' room. So guess I'm building it up as high as possible...

 

[turbo253]

You might have to run a sump if you can get the skimmer to run right.

 

[Jabba954]

I might get it to work if I cut down the downdraft towers...

 

[Zoodiver]

Might have to. Towers only have to be tall enough to get good foaming going. Short tower just needs more pump

 

[cohl120]

I ran into the exact same problem when I installed mine, I just have my outlet barley above the water surface. So my skimmer bottom is about 6 to 7 inches below the surface. not sure if this even helpfull info, but I thought I would share, I run the 2500

 

[turbo253]

I am pretty sure they can discharge a little bit below the surface.

 

[Jabba954]

Might have to. Towers only have to be tall enough to get good foaming going. Short tower just needs more pump

It's just the downdraft towers I need to cut, not the main fractionator. On the 5000, they're nearly a foot taller than the main chamber. If I cut them down a bit, I can get it to work.

 

[Zoodiver]

I am pretty sure they can discharge a little bit below the surface.

I agree. I think the only real factor to be aware of is keeping the actual fractioning chamber above the water surface to avoid too much back pressure as the water trys to leave the skimmer.