trying another cheap good looking skimmer - Page 5

luke33 · #**101** 11/21/2007, 11:20 AM

How tall is that skimmer Gary? If its going to take 1057gph it had better be pretty tall as in around 28". The only problem i see is the neck of the skimmer if its less than 3-4" in diameter isn't going to be able to handle that much air. But hopefully you can get it to work. I'm curious how it does stock. And you only need a 1/4" hose adapter as it will pull plenty of air, no need for a 5/8

clevengergl · #**102** 11/21/2007, 11:45 AM

That mod sounds very cool. The skimmer is around 24-26" tall and I believe the neck is approximately 4" in diameter. Haven't tried it stock yet, but the venturi inlet that the pump came with is only 1/8" ID at most, so I'll need to widen it a bit with the mod to let in more air.

clevengergl · #**103** 11/21/2007, 12:07 PM

Of course, if I do the air intake mod, wouldn't the barb fitting I place inside the pump intake slow the flow down a bit as well?

luke33 · #**104** 11/21/2007, 12:33 PM

No, it won't slow it down. The way to slow it down will be from the increased % in air draw. Do you have a pic of the skimmer?

clevengergl · #**105** 11/21/2007, 12:36 PM

Soon as I get home, I'll post some.....Ever notice how the day before a holiday break seems to just drag on and on... :-)

luke33 · #**106** 11/21/2007, 12:37 PM

Yes, it totally sux....especially when everyone isn't here and you have the pita boss that stays til 5.......

clevengergl · #**107** 11/21/2007, 12:56 PM

LOL! Oh yeah, "that guy".......Oh well, thank goodness for RC, huh? :-)

Maudsley · #**108** 11/25/2007, 08:16 AM

Clevengergl, any updates...hows the skimmer preforming?

travdixon · #**109** 11/25/2007, 12:22 PM

Mine is working very nicely!

clevengergl · #**110** 11/26/2007, 09:21 AM

Experiencing some delays in completing my setup. Got everything plumbed, aquascaped, tank filled and filled sump about half-way only to find that my external pump's not working!!! So I'll be working on that for the next few days and, once I've the system running, then I'll fire up the skimmer.

Gary

Maudsley · #**111** 11/27/2007, 01:17 PM

I recieved my skimmer today....having a few problems.....one the pump and 90 degree elbow do not jive......pump is about 1/4 inch too low to fit into the elbow, looks like if I get a piece of acrylic the same thickness as the base it might mate up....e-mailed Chris will see what he says. Other than that all looks well...I definately wanted it up and running today but it looks like I'll be delayed a bit till we figure this out. Did you all cement your elbows to the skimmer or where they already done when you got it, my 90 degree and the water adjustment tube and elbow where not attached when I recieved the skimmer?

travdixon · #**112** 11/27/2007, 01:30 PM

I had the same problem, and used a piece of an acrylic scrubber pad underneath the pump to raise it up. And yes, mine also came with the elbow and telescope not attached.

clevengergl · #**113** 11/27/2007, 01:40 PM

Yep, I had to attach them myself. Still haven't gotten it running, so not sure if the fittings need to be cemented or not.

luke33 · #**114** 11/27/2007, 02:22 PM

Do not cement the fittings, they will work fine not cemented. As for it not fitting just right, you could pry buy the piece of pvc at lowes or what not for 99cents, but would have to buy a pvc cutter for 5-10bux and do it yourself.

Maudsley · #**115** 11/27/2007, 03:22 PM

Since I know not to cement it....I'll rig it up to get it to breakin...but probally go to lowes and get the pvc and fit it correctly.

luke33 · #**116** 11/27/2007, 03:34 PM

You can never have enough pvc.....i have a nice collection in my garage i admire....wifey just loves it!

Maudsley · #**117** 11/27/2007, 05:45 PM

another stupid question....how far should the water rise in the first reaction chamber....only as high as the telescoping tubes height is? It seems that the water height is low around 12 inches with a total of 16 inches on the first reaction tube, I have the telescoping tube all the way up and my water level is 4-5 inches below the top of the first chamber, do I need to add an extension on the telescoping tube to get more height out of it, or just sit back and let it break in?

travdixon · #**118** 11/27/2007, 06:42 PM

sit back a day or two and see if it gets better.......it should

Maudsley · #**119** 11/27/2007, 07:19 PM

You had massive microbubbles in your tank correct? My tank looks like a blizzard is going on in it........

How many inches of water is your skimmer sitting in?

travdixon · #**120** 11/27/2007, 09:47 PM

I did when I changed a sock filter for some reason.........they were gone the next day. I have mine in about 9 1/2 inches of water in my sump.......

luke33 · #**121** 11/27/2007, 10:34 PM

Its normal to have tons of micro's for a few days while the oils are working themselves out.

Maudsley · #**122** 11/28/2007, 09:27 AM

If you lower the telescoping tube...water level should go down, when you raise it it should go up...correct? Mine does not move the water level at all....sugestions? Skimmer is sitting in about 6-7 inches of water right now? Sorry for all the stupid questions but my other skimmer was a venturi not a needlewheel and setup was a breeze.....unfortunately I'm skimmer stupid! Also I just raised the level in my sump and the water level in the skimmer also went up...now its about an inch from the top of the first reaction chamber.

luke33 · #**123** 11/28/2007, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Maudsley
If you lower the telescoping tube...water level should go down, when you raise it it should go up...correct? Mine does not move the water level at all....sugestions? Skimmer is sitting in about 6-7 inches of water right now? Sorry for all the stupid questions but my other skimmer was a venturi not a needlewheel and setup was a breeze.....unfortunately I'm skimmer stupid! Also I just raised the level in my sump and the water level in the skimmer also went up...now its about an inch from the top of the first reaction chamber.

Yes, if you raise or lower the riser tube water should rise and fall, thats its purpose. If it doesn't, something is wrong. And yes water will rise and fall in your skimmer if you raise or lower the sump water level. That is very important with a nw skimmer to keep the water level consistent. If you don't you will have a finicky skimmer.

Maudsley · #**124** 11/28/2007, 01:11 PM

Humm...well it seems that the water will drop about 1/2 inch if i take the telescope from all the way up to all the way down. I e-mailed the builder and I'm waiting on his response. So if I go get move pvc and add it to the telescope will that raise the water more....there is no tube comming off the bigger diameter part of the telescope, I'm wondering if I'm missing a piece of pvc. Then again I guess if that is the problem...how much lenght do I add to the telescoping riser?

luke33 · #**125** 11/28/2007, 01:54 PM

Generally you have a water leveler that will go up and down, the water level stays at the level of the top of the water leveler. Make sense. So if you want your water level in your skimmer at the bottom of the neck, then thats where your water leveler will be.