AquaC CLUB!

Hi all, just purchased an AquaC EV-120, used. Unfortunately, the seller did not give me a gate valve with it and I just read the instruction manual online showing the gate valve. Is this necessary to run the skimmer correctly, thus do I need to go buy one? It has a Mag 5, I'm not overly inclined to buy a new pump for it. Its plumbed externally with the output flowing over the side of the sump, into the sump chamber with my return pump. The output is a 90 elbow with a 6 inch pipe down (no air hole currently).

I did turn it on and it kicks a crazy amount of bubbles into the output. Its not really skimming anything right now, but it was very clean (like new clean) when I got it.

Thoughts, suggestions? I started reading this thread and will continue, but I want to get it working soon (its current turned off) and I need to know if I need a gate value, if so any special type?
 
The Mag 5 is a bit weak for the 120. Seriously consider moving up to a 7. You don't need a gate valve. Most EV users will eventually remove theirs anayways. Instead, replace it with a 90deg elbow pointed down into the water with a ~1/4 vent hole drilled on top of the elbow (directly over the downward facing opening). Sump water level should be just about where the lower lip of the outlet port opening is (where you have either the elbow or gate valve installed). make sure to periodically check both the injector (small bits of shell/sand/debris WILL get stuck there and drastically impede performance) and the air valve (it will slowly build-up a salt clog over time and essentially choke off the air). Make REALLY small air adjustments as you tune it in and let it stabilize. Go slowly with this step and you'll be rewarded with a stable, productive skimmer.
 
I am running it external thus cannot set the water level like that. What about the massive amount of air bubbles released into the sump from the output?

Also, how do you remove the intake valve? The hose on the valve barb is really on there and it will be a big
Pita to constantly remove it to remove the valve. Is the a way to mod a quick disconnect?
 
There are all manner of quick connects available. Check US Plastics website. But there's no need to have it assembled in a way that makes it that much of a PIA. That's why God created hose clamps.

I've had no problem with bubbles. The 90deg 'street el' at the output is turned down into the water. The vent hole drilled on the top allows alot of the trapped air to be released.
 
cassklar said:
hello all i have just purchased an aquac urchin pro with a mag 3 pump used i cleaned it and the injector the issue i have is it is only skimming light green liquid stuff out of my tank i have 37 gallon reef with 4 fish and assorted coral i dont know if my bioo load is light i am new to this so insight would be great thanks
Click to expand...

You could try raising your collection cup a little. I've been running this skimmer on a 40 gallon sps tank for years and I always get light colored & wet skimmate, but I've never had an algae problem at all. You'll get a lot of buildup inside the cup and on the neck of the skimmer that you should clean often, but the skimmate is never very dark. Like you, I could never tell if it was because of a small bio-load or the skimmer. As long as you don't have any unwanted algae growing, I wouldn't worry about it.
 
Sabazerehi I was running a mag 7 and it worked but I was never happy with it, so I put on a mag 9 and it was a great improvement. As some other people have said, make sure your water level is below your output, gate valve. Your water level should be between the lower black box and no higher than the outer black box. I always run my level with the outer black box. When I was using the mag 7, I always had the air valve set wide open. From the picture I couldnt tell if the ev 180 is sitting in a chamber or baffle, but make sure the water level stays the same where the skimmer sit. If u have a JG fitting make sure u close it off if not in use. U stated that it's only been running a week it might not be broke in yet. I think it took mine a week or two to start skimming.
I would really advise as others said of putting a mag 9 or equivalent pump on this skimmer.
BTW nice tank I really liked the LED lights.
 
Last edited:
Okay, I now have my Ev-120 with Mag 5 operating. Again, its used about 43 months but was cleaned well before I purchased it. I'm going to try it on a Mag 5 to see how it works, and at least until I can find a very good deal on a Mag 7. Couple of questions.

1. For the break in period it states to have the gate value 100 open and the air valve open; then adjust the gate valve until the water line is at the top of the box. Is this correct? If I close off the gate valve a bit and get the water line to the top of the top of the box with the air valve open 100%, the thing bubbles over like crazy. Does it mean to leave the air valve closed 100%? If I close the gate valve until the water line is at the top of the box, with the air valve closed, and then slowly open the air valve, I seems to foam up fairly nicely and I can set it at about half way up the riser with what appears to be fairly small bubbles.

2. I have the output drain from the gate valve going horizontal about 10", then a 90 elbow down, then about 6" tube down, then a T at the end; the final output is under the water in the sump. The instructions state to drill a siphon hole in the 90 elbow down. Is this necessary and beneficial? As a note, the drain line from the output drains into the chamber in my sump that is before the chamber with the Mag 5 (ie. that chamber drains in to the return pump / Mag 5 chamber.

Sorry for the remedial questions.
 
Here are a couple of pics. His is roughly two days of skimmate, skimmer has been running about five days total. Note the large bubbles. I set the water level to the top of the box or a bit under and turned the air down a bit to get drier skimmate. Any suggestions?



4cce2e4d-7fa2-5539.jpg


4cce2e4d-7fb2-fd8d.jpg
 
I have a question for anyone running an EV-180 with a 1" injector and a Mag 9.5.

Do you use a gate valve on the pump? My Mag 9.5 just came in and the 1" injector is on the way. I am upgrading from a Mag 7. I am not sure yet if I need to install a gate valve on the pump to restrict the flow. Does anyone find this necessary?

Landon
 
Running the standard injector on my 180EV with a 9.5 MAG; had a gate valve but removed it and just adjust the level with my Air valve. Pulls some nasty stuff everyday!!!
 
AquaC EV240 With Mag 18

AquaC EV240 With Mag 18

Here is my most recent build process which is being documented on YouTube and will be build with a custom sump and AquaC EV240 with Mag 18 and 1" injector. Once the new custom sump arrives, i will post more videos. Love these skimmers. Awesome to say the least.

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<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rO94NPETuiQ?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rO94NPETuiQ?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>

<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OKuIwKQzwj0?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OKuIwKQzwj0?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>
 
Just picked up an AquaC EV 180. Looking for deal on a Mag 9.5 but was wondering if a mag 12 is overkill?

Also, I'd like to run the skimmer output through a chiller. Any problems with that?
 
OK, so i read the whole thread. even the archive. In case someone else looks at my post and wonders. I ordered a mag 9. and it looks like the running a chiller off the output is probably a bad idea. the back pressure will drive the water level down in the skimmer further than the mag 9 can compensate for wide open. but i'll try it out anyway and let you know
 
Shard said:
I have a question for anyone running an EV-180 with a 1" injector and a Mag 9.5.

Do you use a gate valve on the pump? My Mag 9.5 just came in and the 1" injector is on the way. I am upgrading from a Mag 7. I am not sure yet if I need to install a gate valve on the pump to restrict the flow. Does anyone find this necessary?

Landon
Click to expand...
I ran it with an eheim 1262.... almost the same output. I removed the output gate valve from the skimmer and ran no valve off the pump. Adjusted with the air valve only. Worked great. Keep the air valve clean!
 
ok i'm looking at some of the new pumps out like the sicce pumps, has anyone tryed one yet? thinking about it on a ev-240 any ideas
 
I have an AquaC EV180 w/ MAG 9 and purchased the Tunze speed control pump. Im testing the mag 9 with 2ft 3/4" unrestricted black tubing. This is making wonderful foam in the cylinder and I feel confident that that skim will be the texture I'm looking for, which is dry skim instead of wet. Been running this way for an hour or so.
I'll play with it more and keep posting any info.
BTW, the tubing I had was shorter, it was 18" long, imo very difficult to tune.
Tank you
 
I have a very well stocked 120 gallon tank and i would love to run the ev 240 however i only have a height of 25 inches to work with. Is the 180 not enough for this tank? even if i do the 1 inch injector mod and use a mag 9i think it will still not be enough right???
 
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