Skimmer Output Too Wet

LuckyInk · 06-21-2004, 09:43 AM

Hi everyone,
I decided to switch out the powerhead on my in sump skimmer for a new one. The old powerhead was a Rio 600 and was part of the original config. I had a Rio 800 laying around and swapped them out, thinking I could get more bubbles. I also used a thicker diameter tube for the venturi. I did get more bubbles, but now the output is way to wet. The bubble column is just (less than a 1/4 inch) below the top of my collection cup. So now I am faced with the skimmer output pumping about a gallon of water out with the skimmer gunk (!!!).
Does anyone have any ideas on how to reduce the output from the pump? I am guessing that I should put a ball valve on the powerhead output, in between the powerhead and the skimmer input. However, I don't know that I can find a ball valve small enough...
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Woodstock · 06-21-2004, 09:49 AM

A ball valve would be the easiest since you can adjust it..... but maybe some sort of clamp on the vinyl hose? ...or use a longer hose which will create more head pressure and reduce the output volume?

My remora C-pro skimmer has an adjustable cup which makes it REALLY easy to adjust the type of skimmate created.

Brucey · 06-21-2004, 09:51 AM

I just have a vaiable clamp valve on the tubing which when adjusted, varies the height of the water column in the skimmer. Cost about £2 ..... works a treat and you can vary whether you want wet or dry skim
Brucey

BoomerD · 06-21-2004, 01:50 PM

I gotta suspect maybe something else is the cause. There is only 11 gph difference between the Rio 600 and the 800. Maybe the 800 has a bit more pressure as well, but it can't be much. Is this a CPR skimmer? Can you raise the cup a little more? You shouldn't have to restrict the pump to get the skimmer operating right, with only 11 gph of difference...

LuckyInk · 06-21-2004, 07:20 PM

Looks like adding an extension to the pump output got me back in the game. I also adjusted the level of the skimmer output (not the cup) to fine tune the water level in the chamber.
And by the way BoomerD, I am using an Aqua Clear Aquatics Model 75.

BoomerD · 06-21-2004, 07:43 PM

Great! Glad to hear things are working better!

06-21-2004, 09:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
LuckyInk Reef Painter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 565 View Gallery Karma Komment	Skimmer Output Too Wet Hi everyone, I decided to switch out the powerhead on my in sump skimmer for a new one. The old powerhead was a Rio 600 and was part of the original config. I had a Rio 800 laying around and swapped them out, thinking I could get more bubbles. I also used a thicker diameter tube for the venturi. I did get more bubbles, but now the output is way to wet. The bubble column is just (less than a 1/4 inch) below the top of my collection cup. So now I am faced with the skimmer output pumping about a gallon of water out with the skimmer gunk (!!!). Does anyone have any ideas on how to reduce the output from the pump? I am guessing that I should put a ball valve on the powerhead output, in between the powerhead and the skimmer input. However, I don't know that I can find a ball valve small enough... Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! __________________ When you can feel the humidity pouring off the canvas and the salt spray on your face, my job is done.

06-21-2004, 09:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
Woodstock The Wand Geek was here. ;) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 25,501 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	A ball valve would be the easiest since you can adjust it..... but maybe some sort of clamp on the vinyl hose? ...or use a longer hose which will create more head pressure and reduce the output volume? My remora C-pro skimmer has an adjustable cup which makes it REALLY easy to adjust the type of skimmate created. __________________ ~Doni Marie~ *GOT ICH???* *My Victorious Battle with ICH* 120 Reef Chronicle ~ *Breeding Picasso Clownfish~* *Massive 300 gal growout~* *My Anemone & Picasso Tank ~* *Picasso & Snowcasso for sale~* "Energy and persistance conquer all things." Benjamin Franklin __________________________________________________ ______________________________________________

06-21-2004, 09:51 AM	#3 (permalink)
Brucey Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Reading, England Posts: 1,292 View Gallery Karma Komment	I just have a vaiable clamp valve on the tubing which when adjusted, varies the height of the water column in the skimmer. Cost about £2 ..... works a treat and you can vary whether you want wet or dry skim Brucey __________________ 160UK Gallon. (192US Gallon). 400Lbs LR. Aquamedic Turboflotor 5000 Shorty skimmer. Arcadia 3Series pendant (3x250W 14,000'K MH & 2x58W 60" actinic) (DIY cooling fan). Tunze 7095 Multicontroller & 2xTunze 6100 Streams. Redsea 100 Aquazone Plus ozonizer and redox computer. Aquamedic Ocean Runner 6500 return. TMC Vectron 30W UV sterilizer. Aquamedic Aquaniveau auto top up system through Deltec 500 kalk stirrer. PurityOnTap RO/DI. Deltec FR509 (ROWAPhos). Aquamedic PH computer controlling KNOP HD Calcium Reactor. Setup Nov 2002 See my tank here http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...&threadid=4486

06-21-2004, 01:50 PM	#4 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,638 View Gallery Karma Komment	I gotta suspect maybe something else is the cause. There is only 11 gph difference between the Rio 600 and the 800. Maybe the 800 has a bit more pressure as well, but it can't be much. Is this a CPR skimmer? Can you raise the cup a little more? You shouldn't have to restrict the pump to get the skimmer operating right, with only 11 gph of difference... __________________ Intelligence is not knowing all the answers, but knowing where and how to find them! www.google.com

06-21-2004, 07:20 PM	#5 (permalink)
LuckyInk Reef Painter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 565 View Gallery Karma Komment	Looks like adding an extension to the pump output got me back in the game. I also adjusted the level of the skimmer output (not the cup) to fine tune the water level in the chamber. And by the way BoomerD, I am using an Aqua Clear Aquatics Model 75. __________________ When you can feel the humidity pouring off the canvas and the salt spray on your face, my job is done.

06-21-2004, 07:43 PM	#6 (permalink)
BoomerD Reef Shark Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northern California Posts: 5,638 View Gallery Karma Komment	Great! Glad to hear things are working better! __________________ Intelligence is not knowing all the answers, but knowing where and how to find them! www.google.com

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