Controlling water height in skimmers?

[originalozzyo]

I am about to start my venturi style skimmer. The only thing that i can't seem to figure out is how to properly control the water height inside of the reaction chamber in the skimmer. I have been looking at the the skimmers that euro reef offers and it seems that all they use is some sort of gate valve such as this
http://www.euro-reef.com/products-csseriesrc.shtml
is this all that it takes to have an adjustable water height in your skimmer? any personal experience or feedback would be a great help.

[ErikS]

Two methods are common - water throughput (i.e. Deltec) & gate valves.

[dhnguyen]

Don't forget to not use too large of a pump else you WILL overflow the skimmer for sure.

D.

[fppf]

I came up with this easy way.
I did not like the gate valve, when the pump feeding the skimmer is cut the water drains out of the skimmer to where the U bend is. With a 12" skimmer thats a LOT of water.

With an "overflow" type setup the level in the skimmer stays more constant if you use big enough pipe for your flows. I used 2 unions to make a swing are I can raise and lower, cheap and works great.

Here you can see the lower union
http://members.aol.com/fppf/fish/skimmer2.jpg

Here is the upper one with the stand pipe, its in the back
http://members.aol.com/fppf/fish/skimmer3.jpg

[orlenz]

I use a Hartford loop on the skimmer output, using a telecoping PVC fitting I have about 2" of adjustment, the water level stays right were I set it.


http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/84998skimmer__8__copy.jpg

[moriartiholmes]

I wasn't able to find one of those telescoping attachments, which I would suggest if you can find them. What I did instead is to use two sets of pvc screw in fittings on the outlet (make sure to use teflon tape). In between the two screw in fittings is 4 90 degree elbows. This makes an adjustable U that can be raised and lowered causing the skimmers internal water level to be raised and lowered. Not sure if that makes any sense without pics, but this is what worked for me :)

[djian]

Go get a ball valve and adjust it manually. or inlarge your out put to at least twice your input and get gate valve, works even better than a ball valve. Super cheap things you can do to better you skimmers preformance.

Have fun
Ian

[Herbert T. Kornfeld]

Those 'telescoping' PVC parts are called EZ-spanners, and are pretty common at HD and such in 1/2", 3/4", and 1", but for 1.5" and up you will prolly have to order from/shop a plumbing supply.

[originalozzyo]

Cool, i'll probably go with a gate valve to control the water height.
Only other problem now is what size pump to run on a 24" high by 6" dia reaction chamber.