Setting Up the MRC MR-1 Protein Skimmer

[Tri]

Hi everyone,

Just started a 55 gallon reef tank. I have had marine tanks before but haven't had one in years. I bought everything on craigslist and it seems to be working great. Here are the specs:

 

- 55 Gallon Acrylic tank drilled on bottom with overflow

- 60 lbs live rock from an established tank

- 40lbs aragonite

- two Hydor Koralia in DT

- 48" Aquatic Life LED lights

- Eheim 3000 return pump

- 20 gallon sump/refugium with light, live rock, and chaeto algae

- currently have 2 clowns, 5 turbo snails, 8 hermit crabs, 5 nassarius snails, 2 emerald crabs, sand sifter starfish, a few rocks with polyps and mushrooms

 

I recently got a great deal on a MRC MR-1 protein skimmer with pump. It's probably overkill for my tank but I want to set it up but want to do it right. I've had hang-on and in-sump protein skimmers before. I want to operate this one externally. I have the following specific questions:

 

- My sump has a refugium compartment and a return area with baffles separating them. Where should I run the plumbing to minimize microbubbles?

- Should I use pvc pipes or flexible hoses?

- How do you start it dry if there is no water in the pipes/hoses?

- Once set up, how do I adjust the skimmer to control water level, output, etc?

 

Can anyone offer any advice or if possible, come over to help me set it up? I live in Alexandria.

 

Thanks

 

 

 

[dakotasreef]

What pump do you have for it? There should be a gate valve on the front of the box to adjust water/bubble height.

 

If you are using an external pump, sometimes they have to be primed.

[Tri]

I have a BlueLine Aqua pump, model is Blue Line 40.

 

 

[dakotasreef]

Is your sump drilled? Otherwise it might be a little tricky to plumb in

[Tri]

The sump is not drilled. Can I run PVC into the top of the sump for both the intake and return?