Help with new AquaC EV-180

[partobe]

Hi Everyone!
I just received my new skimmer but have a few questions. I'm hoping some with the same skimmer or knowledge of the aquac 180 could help me.
I cant hook it up until Mon(my sat) so I'm trying to get it all figured out in my head before I start. I have a 150 with 30 gallon sump and plan to sit it directly in the sump.
My first question is
Ok if I assemble it outside of the sump (attach mag 7) how do I get it to sink to the btm of the sump?
I dont understand the whole collection cup with a hole in it hing?
If I'm correct I have to buy a hose to fit onto the hole in the collection cup to attach it to another collection cup? Whats the point in having a collection cup with a hole in it? Well not an actual hole but a open ended adaptor to attach the hose to.
How often should the whole skimmer be cleaned?
This means the whole thing has to come out from under my tank?
Thanks for any input.
Patrick

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

First thing is to clean everything with warm water. Then put it together and put it in the sump. Turn it on and hold it there for a few seconds and it should fill with water and stay where you want it. Let it break in for about a week and adjust it accordingly. I would skim very dry and then adjust it to a wetter skim until you get it dialed in right. The drain I am not too sure about sorry, I have only had HOB and the new nano skimmer that I am breaking in right now.

 

[partobe]

Ok Thanks Brendan

 

[OctaviousMonk]

The drain is needed to allow air to pass through the collection cup, if you block it the skimming action stops. You should attach a hose to it and then you have some options. You can either put the hose in a larger container like waste collector, 5 gallon bucket, 2 liter soda bottle, whatever; this will help incase it over flows or you don't feel like emptying it frequently. You could also do what I did because I emptied it frequently; turn the drain fitting upward and have the hose arc up and that back into the sump. This way if it should go haywire while I am away and over flow it won't go everywhere and when the hose fills up it more often then not doesn't allow air to pass and stops the skimming. Ths happened twice after using epoxy and forgetting the turn off the skimmer.
As far as cleaning I cleaned out the entire collection cup ever time I drained it. The spray injector and air valve unscrew so they are real easy to just take out and clean. The entire unit then really doesn't have to ever get cleaned unless it gets covered with detritus build up or something.
Hope that helps

 

[ari5736]

I have the 180 and would just add that mine didn't really start to work well until after a few weeks of constant use. My advise is turn it on and leave it on without looking at it for about 3 weeks; then start to dial.

 

[NYreefNoob]

skimmer

the hole on top of the collection cup is a ve hole, the oe i he side is so you dot hav to empty or take the collection cup off as ote, i ets the skimate drain ito a larger container, i would run the skimmer in a tub of vinegar water to really get it clean then let it run for a day or 2 in ro water, as to get it to submerse pour water down into the chamber from your tank before putting it in the sump, and from what ive read if i remember right these really need sump levels to maintain water level height

 

[partobe]

thanks NYreefNoob ari Octav
That does help allot.
I know this sounds stupid but ok say I get a larger container for the collection cup to drain in and I place it in the sump so I dont have to worry about floods what stops it from floating? Should I place rock in it or something to keep it weighted down?
Those are great tips on cleaning it that makes it sound so much easier than I had thought.
3 weeks wow that's a long time to start working oh guess there's not much I can do.
Thats a good idea about the ro water and letting it run. I will also clean it with the vinegar.

 

[NYreefNoob]

skimmer

use a 5g bucket if worried about overflow of it. keep skimmer dialed down as suggested till it breaks in then slowly dial it up and you shouldnt have any problems

 

[OctaviousMonk]

I only cleaned it with warm water when mine was new, I think the viniger, etc is over kill on a brand new unit but true when it has become dirty.
As far as the collection chamber you can either have one seperately outside of the sump, OR have a line angled up and then back down into the sump just in case the cup on the skimmer cup overflows. These pics are from under my tank and the green hose arched up is the one I am talking about. When I went away for an extended time I just put that hose into a bucket outside of the stand.

 

[partobe]

thanks Octv and NYreef
those pix help allot. I will prob just use a small one gallon bucket and larger for when I leave town.
I was thinking about running it in the tub to see how things run at first