AP-24 and Sapphire Skimmer

[schristi69]

Got one of the Sapphire nano skimmers for the AP-24 and am not impressed. Anyone get one of these to work? The overflow cover lowers the return water level too much and my pump sucks air. Even with it in I get poor to no bubbles. I removed it and with the skimmer sitting on the bottom...no bubbles. I hold the skimmer with the pump about 2 inches below the surface and lots of bubbles. So how do you get this POC to work and still get the lid to close? Add an air pump?

 

[schristi69]

Update. First, it seems that in order for the pump to pull air, the gate on the pump that controls flow must be set half way between + and -. Full open and it will not pull air. Second, I used the bag of ceramic circles to raise the skimmer about 2-3 inches and am now getting bubbles. Might have to make a plexi stand for this. Now to see how much crap this thing pulls. May still add an air pump to feed it.

 

[sjm1978]

just make a stand out of eggcrate. i have the same skimmer but my tank is topless and i made a stand out of eggcrate and raised my water level up in the back chamber. this skimmer works great and once broke in there is no micro bubbles. i have my flow setting on the 3rd one. also if its not pulling good air try unplugging and plugging it back in a few times. the impeller needs to be spinning counterclockwise to pull a good ventri.

 

[WillWorkForFish]

Are you using the clear plastic piece they include with the skimmer to lower the water levels in the back? Also.. I switched my main pump out with a MJ-1200 and it dropped my water level an extra inch or so..

 

[schristi69]

No, not using the plastic piece. It lowers the water level in the back too much and my MJ1200 sucks air. Where it is now, the cup is quite low and it has started pulling a watery skim. Need to experiment to see how low I can get it and have it still work to give the cup more clearance with the lid closed.