AquaC CLUB!

[zachts]

I replaced the stock ball valve on the air intake with a plastic needle valve from US Plastics to get finer control over the air when running the pump full throttle and added a silencer to the intake for noise.

The pump has a union ball valve on the output for adjustments/maintenance.

Only unusually thing I may have mentioned somewhere is I have the pump running external and used a siphon tube on the intake as I couldn't drill my sump so it probably has slightly reduced performance than if it had unrestricted flow directly from a sump but I can't tell the difference, it's just a PITA to prime after cleaning.

Just be patient and follow the recommendations for dialing in the skimmer, it takes a few hours between adjustments so don't expect to get it perfectly dialed in, in one weekend, but I had an immediately noticeable improvement as now when I feed or put my hand in the tank it no longer stops foaming completely like with the old Mag 5 pump!

I don't have the pump running full throttle any longer BTW, dialed back about to 75% if I had to guess. But I think I will turn it up a little next time I clean as it seems to stay cleaner when producing wetter foam.

 

[yangabanga]

So I hoped up my eheim 1260 and still didn't see any froth or foam. Just moved the water higher than my mag7 but clear clear clear! couple of people have looked at it and they all say that the issue seems to be no air coming in but I know that for these supposedly no air intake is needed between pump and skimmer unlike other models. But I'm at my wits end here!!

 

[zachts]

So I hoped up my eheim 1260 and still didn't see any froth or foam. Just moved the water higher than my mag7 but clear clear clear! couple of people have looked at it and they all say that the issue seems to be no air coming in but I know that for these supposedly no air intake is needed between pump and skimmer unlike other models. But I'm at my wits end here!!

Check that your air intake valve is not clogged with calcium build up. I have to clean that part rather often in a vinegar bath. Also is the gate valve exiting the skimmer fully open? You should have a ton of bubbles even if no foam is being produced. If not the injector is not getting air. Just unscrew the air valve and if it starts bubbling that was your problem. Also could be that the skimmer sits to low in the water but mine has the bottom of the gate only 1" or less above water level. Also if the outlet elbow on the cup is clogged or not open to air on the end of the drain hose that can stop foam production all together.

 

[Yodeling]

Hey folks, just got a used ev180 (came with a complete setup). It just bubbles at the bottom of the clear tube, but no skimmate is going up. it's been like that for about 10 hours now.

I cleaned it up good and applied new teflon tape to all connections. It's elevated so the outlet is about an inch above sump water level. I'm using a Quiet One 3000 (about 800gph). I also have a mag 9.5 but thought it might be too strong.

Any advice on how to make this skimmer work? I'm not seeing any action.

 

[Quick_Ben]

It'll take a few days for the thing to settle down and start working depending on bio-load. They're really picky on the height in the sump. I have mine on a plastic stand that gets the water to the top of the inner box. As long as you have turbulent flow in the box it'll skim. They tend to like strong flow and a clean injector to be happy. I have had no issues other than the clogged injector which is pretty easy to spot because the top of the bubbles can't be seen when it's clogged. These are love em or hate em, once set up and kept clean they just work. They also answer their phone if you call with a question as I did in the beginning.

 

[Yodeling]

Ben, thanks for the reply. Mine is also sitting on top of a tupperware tub. I was wondering if the break-in still applied even though I bought it used, but it makes sense since I cleaned it. The injector is definitely clean of debris. I'm seeing lots of bubbles maybe an inch up the tube, just no foam yet. I'm used to needle-wheels now, but now I'm recalling my first skimmer long time ago which was a Remora Pro and it took a while to break in as well (also bought it used). I'll wait and see as you suggested.

 

[Quick_Ben]

Sounds like you have it under control. I think it's easier if you leave it alone and let it do its thing. The only variables are height, flow and air volume. As the unit gets increasingly grungy it seems to slow down production but a good wipe and wash of the cup restores it back to normal. There's really very little to tinker with. When I called AquaC they felt the air valve should be wide open and the height in the chamber adjusted with the output gate valve. I did it and haven't touched it since. I clean it once a week and check the bubbles at that time. If they look low, I shut down and check the injector for debris or snails. That's about it. I know it's a strange design but the lack of a skimmer pump makes it less prone to disaster, imo. Pulls the gunk so I can't complain. I'm no expert but it seems to just work, pretty boring otherwise.

 

[Yodeling]

You were right. This morning the skimmer was producing massive amounts of skimmate. I couldn't believe how much it pulled in a few hours of actually skimming!!! The only downside is that stopped again for hours after I fed the fish.

 

[FastUno]

Are people still actually running these older AquaC skimmer (EV120/EV180/EV240)? I did see SteeloNY's tank on youtube & his water is crystal clear with the 180.

Has anyone moved on to another skimmer, if so which one & what are your thoughts on the comparison.

I am torn between the EV180 & the SWC Xtreme 160. The added electricity & heat of running a bigger pump has me somewhat concerned.

 

[desjardinii]

Yes, I went from an EV180/Eheim 1262 to a RLSS R8i and there was a huge difference in skimmate production. The AquaC spent half it's time recovering from feeding or hands in the tank etc., also used twice the power and was noisier.

 

[FastUno]

Nice one! I just saw your video on youtube.

Are those bubbles in your skimmer or did you pour milk in there....haha.

 

[Yodeling]

My experience is completely opposite. I've used a few needle wheel skimmers (still using one on one of my tanks), and while they have good performance, the AquaC is in another league. Also, I now believe that this notion that EV series is unstable and recovering half the time is perhaps misplaced. All skimmers do need to recover from oils being introduced (no exceptions!), but in the AquaC skimmers you can tell very easilly whether it's producting foam because "foam chamber" is so tall, while with most needle wheels, the water comes up much higher and you can't tell whether it's recovering or skimming. Once you get a hang of the AquaC, it's very predictable. Mine fills consistently to the drain and another inch in collection cup every day. With some of the needle wheels, sometimes they would skim well, sometimes not, sometimes overflow, etc. I found them much more finicky. Also, keep in mind the reason people still use these "old" EV skimmers is because they are good. As for power consumption, if that is a huge deal than AquaC is not for you. I run mine on QuietOne 3000 (55 watt), while most needle wheels are around 20-30. Noise depends on the pump you run, but needle-wheels can also be noisy because of their mixing action. Just my experiences.

 

[cas1069]

with all the new DC pumps out on the market we now can get bigger flow pumps that are using less watts to run the aqua c's just need to find one with gph and the head to match the pumps for the size of aqua c

 

[zachts]

with all the new DC pumps out on the market we now can get bigger flow pumps that are using less watts to run the aqua c's just need to find one with gph and the head to match the pumps for the size of aqua c

That right there is the tricky part. almost everyone swears by the ehiem pumps for their AquaC. After switching to one I really regret the years where I struggled along with a Mag pump, their is no comparison for performance between the eheim and mag pumps, even though the mag pump supposedly has higher gph, it does not produce as high of pressure which is what this skimmer series needs.

So if your going to try a DC pump get one that is oversized in both flow and pressure and dial it back if needed.

 

[cas1069]

That right there is the tricky part. almost everyone swears by the ehiem pumps for their AquaC. After switching to one I really regret the years where I struggled along with a Mag pump, their is no comparison for performance between the eheim and mag pumps, even though the mag pump supposedly has higher gph, it does not produce as high of pressure which is what this skimmer series needs.

So if your going to try a DC pump get one that is oversized in both flow and pressure and dial it back if needed.

that's the idea

 

[zachts]

Pressure is the most important on these skimmers as the Mag 7 supposedly out performes the Ehiem I'm using in flow but not in reality...... The Ehiem kicks butt on the acutal delivered pressure and flow rate for this skimmer, even dialed back 2/3 of the way on my EV120.

I still can't fathom why these are even offered for sale with the MAG pumps, what a waste of money, spend the extra $50 and get the Ehiem. Great skimmer, best I've every used for it's size.

 

[lockus]

What is the smallest tank that you would put a 240 on. Have one lying around from my days when I had a 180 sps setup....

 

[cas1069]

What is the smallest tank that you would put a 240 on. Have one lying around from my days when I had a 180 sps setup....

it would come down to sump size, if you have a sump that will fit that bad boy than the DT size doesnt really matter it will just be a very clean tank if its on the small size and you may not pull much skim out. that being said i would't go smaller than a 90 or 75

 

[cas1069]

the new DC pump is working great, just neding a little fine adjustements and to clean it again

 

[gcarroll]

Glad to see people are still having great success with AquaC's EV line. I have strongly considered returning to AquaC for my new tank build. After owning several Needlewheel skimmers, Nothing has ever performed as well as my AquaC EV's!