Skimmer Thread

[jackson6745]

Kong, when I had the ex-2, the external pumps sucked 10lpm. I guess the head pressure from the internal skimmer is cutting down the air. It still works decent though. I just hate the design for controlling the water level inside the skimmer.

Regal, that looks like fun!!!

 

[Pedro]

Wow Regal, you get two for the price of one! That thing looks like a beast. I can't wait to see it hooked up and running. Your tank is going to love it!

 

[herman]

5lpm sounds too little for the das. There are a number of reasons why the pump is not sucking as much air as it should be.

1. clogged intake - (unlikely for you)
2. If you took apart the pump you will see a little flap. this flap ensures optimum flow with the impellar flowing in two directions. But sometimes the flap gets stuck and the performance gets reduced by a lot. Check it out.

HTH
Herman

 

[regal]

Wow Regal, you get two for the price of one! That thing looks like a beast. I can't wait to see it hooked up and running. Your tank is going to love it!

Then come over and help me hook it up. You can see how it does first hand. :birthday:

 

[lfsmarineguy]

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I know we are supposed to post pics of our skimmers while they are working but I just got this thing and I had to post a pic of it. I have named her Eleanor because any equipment this large should have a name I think. There is a beer bottle and my door knob in the pic for reference and it was taken at a downward angle. It's an MRC I forget the exact model I'm looking for the receipt. Waiting to setup the system she'll be attached to.

 

[Pedro]

Never seen a horizontal skimmer before, does it work any different?

Looks nice, btw.

 

[cali_reef]

I know we are supposed to post pics of our skimmers while they are working but I just got this thing and I had to post a pic of it. I have named her Eleanor because any equipment this large should have a name I think. There is a beer bottle and my door knob in the pic for reference and it was taken at a downward angle. It's an MRC I forget the exact model I'm looking for the receipt. Waiting to setup the system she'll be attached to.

It will be tempermental like "Eleanor" in the movie :lol2:, I am sorry you bought a MRC:irked: , should have gone with a Barr Aquatics for a beckett.

 

[fritz]

OMG I can't believe I just read 113 pages of this. I also ordered a DAS EX-1.

 

[herman]

Aquabee maintenance

For all of you that are using DAS, Deltec, H&S or any other needlewheel using the aquabee pumps you need to know that there is a flap inside the output that will get stuck over time. If this flap gets stuck it will seriously impeded its performance. When the pump is turned off and on again the direction of the needlewheel can get reversed. If the flap does not change direction the performace goes down by as much as 50%.

I was watching a discussion with Pierce and Dave in which Dave swears his aquabee pumps draw in 10lpm and more whereas Pierce says its more like 5lpm. When I had my BX3 it performed like a champ whereas other BX3 skimmers just lagged. Check the flap as it might be the cause.

To clean soak the pump in a 20 to 1 ratio of Muriatic acid, EZclean or vinegar. Vinegar does not always work as nice though.

 

[jackson6745]

I took Hermans advice and cleaned the flap inside the DAS pump. The pump went from drawing 5lpm to over 10lpm using the same air meter. I don't understand how that flap makes the pump suck more air???

 

[herman]

The flap just guides the the water into the output smoother. When the water flows smoothly and faster the venturi in turn will suck more air.

 

[jackson6745]

Well, when I put it back together running the pumps in a 10" water height the air flow was reduced to 8lpm.....still better than 5lpm though.

 

[herman]

Rich, the design of the BX calls for the water level to be no higher than the bayonet fitting. And close the air taps just slightly. If the water level s too high it collapses the foam due to the excessive swiling action in the skimmer neck.

Adjust the water level and leave the taps open for the beginning
Then either lower the water level a tad or the air.

I had my BX running 1/2" below the bayonet fitting and the airtaps at 1 oclock. It cot me that nice capuccino froth. Otherwise you get those giant bubbles in the pic you posted

 

[alrha]

i'm running a Deltec Turbo 1060S.

The water level should always be below the bayonet? (i thought it can be raised up the neck to get more skimmate) also how do you know how much below the bayonet you are? it's black acrylic (not transparent).

Lastly, why would i not want to always run the three air valves fully open? doesnt more air allow for more organics to be removed?

so logic would say to max out the air, and max out the water level height to get the most aggressive skim.
something tells me experience might prove otherwise.

 

[DEEPWATER]

Someone is having fun with my new skimmer and accessories.

LINK

LMAO ,,,how much do they chagre for live shipping :lol2:

 

[herman]

i'm running a Deltec Turbo 1060S.

The water level should always be below the bayonet? (i thought it can be raised up the neck to get more skimmate) also how do you know how much below the bayonet you are? it's black acrylic (not transparent).

Lastly, why would i not want to always run the three air valves fully open? doesnt more air allow for more organics to be removed?

so logic would say to max out the air, and max out the water level height to get the most aggressive skim.
something tells me experience might prove otherwise.

When you remove the cup you can see exactly where the water level is. There is a "sweet spot" for all pumps. If you close the airtaps all the way the pumps kick into high gear (more water Pressure) and as you open the taps the venturis start to suck the air. There is a point where the venturi will simply suck to much air and the pressure starts to reduce thus making the pump slightly more inefficient. Find that sweet spot regardless of water level. Then to adjust wet vs dry move he weir plate up or down. It worked quite well in my case. There is a reason why most people on the deltec forum recomment the 1 oclock setting.

Your logic is correct Albert but you have to take the pump efficiency into consideration. That is the reason why the newer model skimmers upgraded their pumps to the Eheim 1260. It allows more air while maintaining the pressure.

 

[alrha]

When you remove the cup you can see exactly where the water level is. There is a "sweet spot" for all pumps. If you close the airtaps all the way the pumps kick into high gear (more water Pressure) and as you open the taps the venturis start to suck the air. There is a point where the venturi will simply suck to much air and the pressure starts to reduce thus making the pump slightly more inefficient. Find that sweet spot regardless of water level. Then to adjust wet vs dry move he weir plate up or down. It worked quite well in my case. There is a reason why most people on the deltec forum recomment the 1 oclock setting.

i knew there was a reason, that's what i figured.
i know everyone always reccommends the 1 or 2 o'clock setting, just didnt understand why (there are also those that suggest leaving it wide open).

why is the pressure from the pump needed? i dont mind less flow through the skimmer if it is mixed with more air for more effecient skimming.

how do i know when i hit the "sweet spot"? (all the valves, i assume, should be at the same setting, has anyone every tried leaving some valves open more/less than the others?)

when i remove the cup, all i see is foam, so i cant tell where the water level is. if i close the valves the water level will just overflow over the bayonet due to the increased pressure.

 

[herman]

To see the waterlevel just close the airtaps all the way. Then youll be able to see. Once that is done start with the taps wide open and just wait for a bit until the foam develops. Make any needed adjustments from there. Either raise the water level a bit if the foam does not reach the top or close the taps a bit if too much reaches the top.

 

[alrha]

To see the waterlevel just close the airtaps all the way. Then youll be able to see. Once that is done start with the taps wide open and just wait for a bit until the foam develops.

if the water level is at the bayonet with the air closed, once i open it up all the way, the water level will be WAY lower (perhaps in the main chamber).

Make any needed adjustments from there. Either raise the water level a bit if the foam does not reach the top or close the taps a bit if too much reaches the top.

now we're back to the original question: is it better to raise/lower the water level to adjust (with the taps fully open) or leave the level and adjust the taps. Keep in mind that closing the taps raises the water level.

 

[herman]

That all depends whether you like to wet skim or create nasty dry sludge.