Skimz skimmer owners

[Dk638]

I just got my skimz dc skimmer running yesterday and have a question about dialing it in. My gate valve is only about 1/8 inch open to get the bubble level where I want it. Air valve is roughly 1/2 open. Is this normal?
Seems like not much water would be flowing through the skimmer. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[D1J8Z]

Leave everything completely open for a few days then dial it in.

 

[Smotz]

once broken in a bit I closed the main valve as much as possible and fine-tuned it with the little dial. This prevents excess micro bubbles in the DT.

 

[Dk638]

once broken in a bit I closed the main valve as much as possible and fine-tuned it with the little dial. This prevents excess micro bubbles in the DT.

Wouldn't that mean your skimming less water? I have no micro bubbles and it is skimming already and only been running for 24 hours but I would like the gate valve at least 1/2 open

 

[Smotz]

it's very productive. Seems to be working fine.

 

[NYreefNoob]

dialing

ok the one thing I will tell you with the air valve, give the skimmer a week of running, open gate and air all the way till then, once it settles in a little put head down by the skimmer and slowly close the air valve, you will find the sweet spot when the pump is at it's quietest, dial the air in first then set the gate valve

 

[Dk638]

Do you think raising the sump level would help skim more water volume?

 

[NYreefNoob]

how deep of water is it in

 

[Dk638]

8 1/2 inches

 

[Smotz]

Same here

 

[Dk638]

The point is I want to maximize the skimmers skimming volume and rating. I'm thinking with the gate valve being only 1/8 inch from being closed then I'm only getting minimal efficiency right? Also the pump is on it's highest setting. Thanks everyone

 

[NYreefNoob]

111

water depth has no effect on how much water goes through other then running it in too deep with increase pressure on pump and outlet. now as for the speed of the pump to be running you will see when turning the pump speed up you will start to get a lot more bubble confusion in the upper end of the skimmer body id open gate halfway once the skimmer settles in then play with the air adjustment like I stated earlier to find the sweet spot for air draw. ive got a thread on here somewhere when I beta tested the skimz skimmer for them

 

[Dk638]

Ok I think I get it, but I assumed the more open the gate then more water volume going through the skimmer. Also don't I want as much air as possible?

 

[Dk638]

Ok so I unplugged the pump and restarted it and it seems to be performing much better. Not sure why that would be but I'm able to open the gate about 1/3 of the way and have much more bubbles at the cup. I'll leave it for a few days and then adjust from there. Thanks for the info