Skimmer Setup question Etss sump&skimmer

[jhart]

I basicly have this exact setup, Same equipment.But my skimmer is in my sump with the pump , I had to raise the whole skimmer off the floor of the sump with a glass bowl so that the gate valuve, would be above the water level in order for it to skim,
It works ok now this way,Not to happy with it , Had better luck with a prizm hang on..
I would like the room in my sump, can I set it up the way it looks like in the picture? Has anyone done it this way and had sucess. A friend of mine has an etss skimmer and had to be above the water level.. This is why I ask,dont want to drill my sump and than have to plug it up if it dont work

 

[cali_reef]

The skimmer drain outlet should be above the water line in the sump, unless you are keeping your sump water level very consistent with an auto topoff. The water level in the sump will cause back pressure on the skimmer if the outlet is submerged, any fluctuation in the water level is like someone constantly turning the gate valve on the outlet.


What pump are you using to drive the skimmer? Down draft skimmers needs to have a pressure pump to make it skim good.

 

[jhart]

its an etss reef devil skimmer the pump was match from the factory w/ca 1800, so if i keep it submergerd , about 2inchs off the floor adjust the gate valve,will this work ?

 

[cali_reef]

its an etss reef devil skimmer the pump was match from the factory w/ca 1800, so if i keep it submergerd , about 2inchs off the floor adjust the gate valve,will this work ?

???? Kept what submerged?

The CA 1800 is a fancy Rio, which is not so good of a pump. I would try a Mag 5 or 7 for that skimmer, I had an Iwaki on my old reef devil setup and it worked pretty well.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

jhart if i may ask a question somewhat related to this thread to cali reef. cali my out water pipe from my skimmer is in the water maybe like 2-3 inches in is that why my skimmer keeps fluctuating and i have to adjust the freakin gate valve every so often... thanks in advance cali...

 

[cali_reef]

jhart if i may ask a question somewhat related to this thread to cali reef. cali my out water pipe from my skimmer is in the water maybe like 2-3 inches in is that why my skimmer keeps fluctuating and i have to adjust the freakin gate valve every so often... thanks in advance cali...

Exactly.... Water in your sump is working against the skimmer as level changes.

 

[Tonyscoots84]

wow thanks so much cali....... such an easy thing to overlook that explains alot........ :iamwithst lmaoooo...

 

[Pseudo]

He is an expert

Kasei

 

[Tonyscoots84]

it should also perform even better then it is already with me adjusting that... kasei he is expert... lolz...

 

[jhart]

so the skimmer it self should be good, so i should replace the pump with a mag 7, allright i'll give it a try ... Thanxs john

 

[jhart]

I have the pump in sump submergerd, so before i go out and buy the mag 7 should i think of buying a whole new skimmer set up?You said you had a iwaki pump hooked up to it , which my understanding its prodably the best pumps.. and you said it worked OK.... Im looking for great LOL... what should I do consider I have a 55 gallon tank with 20 gallon sump, keep the reef devil,buy a new pump or buy a whole new skimmer and pump?

 

[loismustdie]

You'll never get great results with an ETSS. I'd get a better skimmer.

 

[cali_reef]

what should I do consider I have a 55 gallon tank with 20 gallon sump, keep the reef devil,buy a new pump or buy a whole new skimmer and pump?

Mine worked "okay" but not great comparing to the new stuff out on the market now.

I would look into a needle wheel skimmer (ie. DELTEC) if the funds are not an issue. A mag in your sump will increase the tank temp a few degrees and might push you to a chiller when the weather gets a little warmer. I used Iwaki for the pressure, reliability and external running ability with little or no heat added to the water, but it may be too loud for most people.

 

[Sean]

When you submerge the reef devil your supposed to put an elbow on the return so the return is above the water level. This way you get a consistent water level in the skimmer. ETS skimmer work very well maybe not as well as a deltec but they are good skimmers. If you have real consistent pump going the ETS it is a simple skimmer that shouldn't need to be adjusted often.

 

[jhart]

so Sean I should then 90 out of the gate valve with a nipple then a 90 straight up in the air but high enough out of the water, right now the water level is at the bottom of the gate valve , I'll try that first a $3.00 fix

 

[Sean]

yeah Jhale

but you can't go to high because you have to keep your water level in mind. But yes it's a $3 fix.

 

[DevIouS]

yeah Jhale
but you can't go to high because you have to keep your water level in mind. But yes it's a $3 fix.

That's "Jhart"......:shhh:

 

[Sean]

OH Jhart not Jhale lol
didn't even realise it

reef not cat picture

I'll try and remember thanks darealdvs1