Testing DIY Skimmer

newsalt · 01-30-2004, 06:27 PM

I just comppleted build a counter-current air driven skimmer. I recieved my pump today from Foster and Smith and I decided to test the skimmer out. The pump is a Maxi-Jet 900 rated for 230 gph. The skimmer will be used on my 15g high now, but when I swith to my new 50g, it will be used there.

Well, the skimmer test failed. From the attached photo, you can see that I partially filled an old (cracked) 10g tank. I hung the skimmer on the tank and put the Maxi-Jet into the water. When I plugged the pump in, water began to flow out of the 1/2" PVC pipe back into the tank, but at the same time, the water level was climbing in the skimmer column. It actually overflowed into the 4" dia. collection cup at the top of the skimmer. The skimmer column is 3.5" dia. and 18" long. In the photo, the unit is not running.

Does anyone have any idea why the skimmer overflowed? What can I do to make this work. I'm I pumping too much water into the skimmer? To I need a valve in the water supply line? Any ideas would be helpful.

Thanks.

newsalt · 01-30-2004, 06:29 PM

Picture didn't show up. Here's another try.

Pro_builder · 01-30-2004, 07:02 PM

1: Is the water that you are using for the test Salt Water?
2: Did it have any air bubbles in it?
3: How are you introducing air int othe system?

newsalt · 01-30-2004, 07:34 PM

Quote:

1: Is the water that you are using for the test Salt Water?

Answers:

1. No, freshwater.
2. No, no air bubbles
3. No, for the test, I wasn't introducing air.

Would either of these be the culprit?

Pro_builder · 01-30-2004, 07:42 PM

I don't think your water outlet is big enough, or you need slow down you water input.

Maxx · 01-30-2004, 08:57 PM

you will need to slow down the water flow, and the test needs to be done w/ saltwater. Freshwater bubles arent as fine as saltwater bubbles....there is a long chemistry explanation for all this, but right now I don't have time.
Nick

johnlewis · 01-30-2004, 09:19 PM

It also looks like the return level is midway up to the collection cup which looks to be a little high.

addict · 01-31-2004, 02:20 AM

I agree with everything said above.
You need to shorten the height of the drainpipe and make it bigger.
Just use the next size larger pipe for the drain, shorten it, and put a ball valve on it so that you can control the drain amount (which will adjust the water level in the skimmer).
If you look at skimmers such as the AquaC EV-120, they have a large drain and use a gate valve to adjust the water level.

I did up a quick rendition of the approximate layout of how the skimmer should look. The drain tube needs to be lower than where you want the water level to be in the skimmer, that way it's the ball valve controlling the level, not the height of the drain.
This will also raise the skimmer up a bit on the tank. Rather than hanging on the tank from the top lip of the skimmer, the hanging plate will move down the body somewhat.
HTH.

DIY skimmers are fun... I built a venturi-type skimmer powered by a Mag9.5... and 45" tall.

Pro_builder · 01-31-2004, 09:16 AM

David,
That is what I would do.

addict · 01-31-2004, 12:34 PM

Thanks for the backup there Troy

I've been thinking about this a little more, and another thing you can try is use a slip fitting with tensioners on both ends rather than the ball valve. What the slip tensioners allow you to do is loosen one end and slide the drain tube up and down to get the correct water level in the skimmer, then you tighten back down the nut and it's water tight again.
I think these are just about the same price as ball valves, but may be easier to adjust.
These slip fittings are normally used to repair pipe, but it should work for this application.

Hope that gives you some idea of what your options are... it looks like you're well on your way to being a DIY junkie...

newsalt · 02-01-2004, 11:21 AM

reefer addict:

Thanks for your advice. So far, I've shortened the height of the drainpipe as you suggested, but did not increase the size yet. I tested the skimmer again with just this change and it helped a bit. What I found, is if I raised the height of the skimmer, the water level went down. I'm off to Lowes now to buy some 3/4" pipe and fittings. The slip tensioners is a good idea too. Maybe I'll try that. I'll keep you posted.

Pro_builder · 02-01-2004, 12:11 PM

Just remember you don't want to flow water through it fast, you are wanting a long contact time for the air.

johnlewis · 02-06-2004, 07:47 PM

On my 5' DIY I took the inlet and set it down to the bottom with an elbow to increase contact time it's also 4" in diameter.

01-30-2004, 06:27 PM	#1 (permalink)
newsalt Torch coral Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 574 View Gallery Karma Komment	Testing DIY Skimmer I just comppleted build a counter-current air driven skimmer. I recieved my pump today from Foster and Smith and I decided to test the skimmer out. The pump is a Maxi-Jet 900 rated for 230 gph. The skimmer will be used on my 15g high now, but when I swith to my new 50g, it will be used there. Well, the skimmer test failed. From the attached photo, you can see that I partially filled an old (cracked) 10g tank. I hung the skimmer on the tank and put the Maxi-Jet into the water. When I plugged the pump in, water began to flow out of the 1/2" PVC pipe back into the tank, but at the same time, the water level was climbing in the skimmer column. It actually overflowed into the 4" dia. collection cup at the top of the skimmer. The skimmer column is 3.5" dia. and 18" long. In the photo, the unit is not running. Does anyone have any idea why the skimmer overflowed? What can I do to make this work. I'm I pumping too much water into the skimmer? To I need a valve in the water supply line? Any ideas would be helpful. Thanks. __________________ Equipment 120g Reef, (2) 250W XM 20K MH, (2) 110W T12 VHO Super Actinic, MRC MR2 Beckett Skimmer, 55g Sump, Iwaki Return Pump Setup August 2006

01-30-2004, 06:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
newsalt Torch coral Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 574 View Gallery Karma Komment	Picture didn't show up. Here's another try. __________________ Equipment 120g Reef, (2) 250W XM 20K MH, (2) 110W T12 VHO Super Actinic, MRC MR2 Beckett Skimmer, 55g Sump, Iwaki Return Pump Setup August 2006

01-30-2004, 07:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	1: Is the water that you are using for the test Salt Water? 2: Did it have any air bubbles in it? 3: How are you introducing air int othe system? __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

01-30-2004, 07:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	I don't think your water outlet is big enough, or you need slow down you water input. __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

01-30-2004, 08:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
Maxx Manta Ray Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: St Louis Mo Posts: 3,079 View Gallery Karma Komment	you will need to slow down the water flow, and the test needs to be done w/ saltwater. Freshwater bubles arent as fine as saltwater bubbles....there is a long chemistry explanation for all this, but right now I don't have time. Nick __________________ "Chaos, confusion, despair...my work is done here." ...Some guy named Murphy.... A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!" Reef Sanctuary Knowledgebase (Answers to all your questions and then some!)

01-30-2004, 09:19 PM	#7 (permalink)
johnlewis Scopas Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton, MI USA Posts: 448 View Gallery Karma Komment	It also looks like the return level is midway up to the collection cup which looks to be a little high.

01-31-2004, 02:20 AM	#8 (permalink)
addict Reef Lobster Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Sierra Nevada Country Posts: 1,621 View Gallery Karma Komment	I agree with everything said above. You need to shorten the height of the drainpipe and make it bigger. Just use the next size larger pipe for the drain, shorten it, and put a ball valve on it so that you can control the drain amount (which will adjust the water level in the skimmer). If you look at skimmers such as the AquaC EV-120, they have a large drain and use a gate valve to adjust the water level. I did up a quick rendition of the approximate layout of how the skimmer should look. The drain tube needs to be lower than where you want the water level to be in the skimmer, that way it's the ball valve controlling the level, not the height of the drain. This will also raise the skimmer up a bit on the tank. Rather than hanging on the tank from the top lip of the skimmer, the hanging plate will move down the body somewhat. HTH. DIY skimmers are fun... I built a venturi-type skimmer powered by a Mag9.5... and 45" tall. __________________ -David *addict's tank specs:* Coming soon!

01-31-2004, 09:16 AM	#9 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	David, That is what I would do. __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

01-31-2004, 12:34 PM	#10 (permalink)
addict Reef Lobster Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Sierra Nevada Country Posts: 1,621 View Gallery Karma Komment	Thanks for the backup there Troy I've been thinking about this a little more, and another thing you can try is use a slip fitting with tensioners on both ends rather than the ball valve. What the slip tensioners allow you to do is loosen one end and slide the drain tube up and down to get the correct water level in the skimmer, then you tighten back down the nut and it's water tight again. I think these are just about the same price as ball valves, but may be easier to adjust. These slip fittings are normally used to repair pipe, but it should work for this application. Hope that gives you some idea of what your options are... it looks like you're well on your way to being a DIY junkie... __________________ -David *addict's tank specs:* Coming soon!

02-01-2004, 11:21 AM	#11 (permalink)
newsalt Torch coral Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 574 View Gallery Karma Komment	reefer addict: Thanks for your advice. So far, I've shortened the height of the drainpipe as you suggested, but did not increase the size yet. I tested the skimmer again with just this change and it helped a bit. What I found, is if I raised the height of the skimmer, the water level went down. I'm off to Lowes now to buy some 3/4" pipe and fittings. The slip tensioners is a good idea too. Maybe I'll try that. I'll keep you posted. __________________ Equipment 120g Reef, (2) 250W XM 20K MH, (2) 110W T12 VHO Super Actinic, MRC MR2 Beckett Skimmer, 55g Sump, Iwaki Return Pump Setup August 2006

02-01-2004, 12:11 PM	#12 (permalink)
Pro_builder DIY Moderator Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Oxford, Iowa Posts: 1,746 View Gallery Karma Komment	Just remember you don't want to flow water through it fast, you are wanting a long contact time for the air. __________________ -Troy 180 gallon Reef, 3- 250 XM 15K MH Electronic ballast, 380 watts VHO Actinics, 2- 5 watt LED Moon lights, 100 gal rubbermaid sump, 75 gallon Fuge, ETSS 600 Skimmer, 4700-5400 gph pump for return, Octopus 3000 controller, Iwaki 40 RL skimmer pump, 2- 65w PC 10K fuge lights, 2 55 gallon barrels, Custom light oak stand and hood, misc pumps, extra 600 gallon rated tank size protein skimmer. Purple tang, yellow tang, pacific blue tang, 2 green chromis, 1 Sand sifting star, snails, hermit crabs, 2 mated perculas, pulsing Xenia, Anenome, mushrooms, ricordia, zoanthids, kenya tree 1 1/2" tall, misc other hitchhiker stuff. DIY is my dream... ...well OK the only way I can afford this Addiction!! Just as the light goes on in my head... ... I break the bulb!!

02-06-2004, 07:47 PM	#13 (permalink)
johnlewis Scopas Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brighton, MI USA Posts: 448 View Gallery Karma Komment	On my 5' DIY I took the inlet and set it down to the bottom with an elbow to increase contact time it's also 4" in diameter.

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