AquaC CLUB!

[TroyPierce]

FEEDERFISH, I've had bad luck running any Mag pump externally. They may not leak to the point of dripping but there always seems to be a lot of salt creep. I don't think the seal is as good as they say it is.

Get a pump designed for external use like the Eheim or Iwaki.

 

[mazurque]

Taflaw --

do u have some pic ?

tks !

 

[Ti]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7420018#post7420018 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Matt Rise
Just got my EV120 from Marine Depot. Looks like I need to get a 1260 pump.

First question, how high is your skimmer in the sump? At the center of the gate valve, mine is 8 inches high. (I made a stand) I am building a sump out of an old 20 gallon.

Question 2, can you rotate the injector to face the pump? What about the air intake. I would like them to be turned 90* from where they are now. Thanx

Matt

If you just got it new, I would say it's too early to think about swapping out pumps, Try to fiddle with it. The 1260 would definately help though.
I'm still using a mag5 on my EV120

 

[TrojanScott]

Guys, now that I see people questioning what size Aqua C for a tank, you have me questioning mine. Is an EV150 sufficient for a 180? It's not heavily stocked, but I'd sure like it to be. (and, it will be someday)

If not, what would you recommend? I love my Aqua C, and once I saw prices of some other skimmers, love it even more. But... I would invest in say a Deltec if it were that major a difference.

I did call Aqua C, they said it should be fine for my tank. I'd think if that weren't true, it would behoove them to recommend a bigger skimmer, and have a possible repeat customer.

 

[robsmith32]

for a lightly stocked, 180, yes 150 for sure is enough. But by time you fill it up, and you do have sump volume as well?
Probably best to go larger, especially if sps are in the plans.

Like said before, as long as its keeping tank nutrients down.. then its fine. just up the size of the fuge and you'll be fine as long as you harvest the macro and dispose of it. As A.Calfo states, there are many methods to keeping a reef.

 

[TrojanScott]

I have a 35 gallon Euro sump. I'm in the process of adding more sump volume, adding a fuge, so I know that will help. Maybe a new skimmer will have to wait.
Thanks for the reply.

 

[jeffberens]

I just bought an EV-240 for my 125 gal reef (med to heavily stocked). I also have a 55 gal refugium and a 70 gallon sump normally 1/3 full of water. I'm hoping this will be more than enough to handle my needs. I was wondering what would the best choice of pump be if this is going to operate in-sump? I have a MAG-12 and a MAG-24 from other systems that could be used, but if I should buy an Eheim, or something else, I will. Thanks, Jeff

 

[gcarroll]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7423962#post7423962 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jeffberens
I just bought an EV-240 for my 125 gal reef (med to heavily stocked). I also have a 55 gal refugium and a 70 gallon sump normally 1/3 full of water. I'm hoping this will be more than enough to handle my needs. I was wondering what would the best choice of pump be if this is going to operate in-sump? I have a MAG-12 and a MAG-24 from other systems that could be used, but if I should buy an Eheim, or something else, I will. Thanks, Jeff

Darn as far as submerible pumps go, I think the Mag18 is the best for the EV240. What I would do is try the Mag24 using the air valve to control the foam. Do not upgrade the injector to the 1" model if you are using the Mag24 (that would be overkill). If it is still too much put a gate valve on the pump to cut down the flow.

 

[FEEDERFISH]

I just ordered my EV-180 from marinedepot.com, i went with a mag 9.5 for a pump. I plan on running my mag as a submersible pump, and the EV-180 will sit outside the sump, sorry if i confused anyone. I think i picked up enough info through reading the posts, but is there anything i should look out for, when i fire this thing up with this larger pump...
1. Keep gate valve full open
2. Air..? full open / closed .... dry / wet skim

 

[robsmith32]

Feeder, you will for sure have to leave exit gate valve full open. you may need to watch for a bit, sure to overflow if you leave air wide open.. I'd start with it about half closed, then work from there.
may need a gate on the input between pump and ev.. take the gate all the way off the exit will allow it to pass more flow thru it, and probably get rid of any need of reducing the input.

 

[CaptainCoral]

I had about 30" of tubing running from my mag9 to the skimmer. I had a gate valve installed on the pump but didn't use it. It so happened in my case, I could remove the gate from the back of the skimmer, and the water level in the box was right on. You should deffinately use a gate valve with that mag9. (If my tubing were shorter, I'd have needed to use the gate.)

This is fresh after a cleaning. (It looks like I didn't empty the sun tea though)

 

[CaptainCoral]

Anthony Calfo is right!!! Anything less than raw water overflowed or fed straight into your skimmer is a compromise.

taflaw.... Good point, I believe you are right, but there is an exception.
People who have a very agitated surface from pumps, won't notice as much difference.

Anthony is also a fan of having long surface skimming overflows to get even more surface proteins.

 

[tatoofr]

Hi,
OK, I need help. I have a aqua C 120.
On the directions it says the best performance is obtained when the water level is EQUAL to the top of the dark gray box.
Do they mean the internal platform or the skimmer box.
If I raise it to the top of the box wont the injector be under water then?
Should it be?
Whats the proper level, I cant seem to dial this thing in.
Frank

 

[djtodd]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7435660#post7435660 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tatoofr
Hi,
OK, I need help. I have a aqua C 120.
On the directions it says the best performance is obtained when the water level is EQUAL to the top of the dark gray box.
Do they mean the internal platform or the skimmer box.
If I raise it to the top of the box wont the injector be under water then?
Should it be?
Whats the proper level, I cant seem to dial this thing in.
Frank

Internal platform.

The external water level shouldn't be higher than the skimmer's output valve.

 

[flyingpolarbear]

Frank, it means the external box. Some people will tell you it means the internal part, but they are talking about the pre-2002 models. There is a lot of confusion out there because of the design change. However the new instruction manual makes it clear after you read it closer. It says that it is normal to have some water above the internal box on the new models.

 

[tatoofr]

thanks,
It seems like this skimmer is a pain in the #&%.
It foams all over at times or never makes any foam.
No in between.

 

[flyingpolarbear]

I ran into the exact same difficulty but the good news is that you can fix it, and make this skimmer work great. AquaC needs to update the instruction manual. First, use a larger pump, the Eheim 1262 or Mag 9.5. Second, use the air valve starting from an almost closed position, and gradually open it, until the foam head reaches near the top. Take a look at my post from a few days ago on this thread where I include the photo of my EV-180 in action. I had the exact challenge that you describe, before I discovered this tuning procedure.

 

[gcarroll]

tatoofr,
Does the skimmer not foam when you feed or after you put your hands in the tank. If so, that is normal. Adjusting the skimmer within hours of doing either of those things is worthless. you will never get it dialed in. the skimmer should never foam over so when it does, try dialing back the air to adjust the amount of foam. If the water level inside the skimmer is correct you should not have to adjust the gate valve to prevent the overflow of foam. remember to make small adjustments. then allow some time for the change to settle.

 

[tatoofr]

Greg,
The skimmer will run all day putting out nothing, and than all of a sudden start to over flow.
Funny thing I cant understand is that when I feed some flake food the skimmer goes nuts and overflows? I thought feeding would knock it back, or suppose to.

 

[flyingpolarbear]

Frank, again, I had the exact same problem. I guess some people get used to the inconsistent nature of a less than ideal tuning. But I expected the same predictable performance like my old needle-wheel Turboflotor 1000. If you want stable foam that is less sensitive to feeding/oils and does not overflow suddenly, then I suggest try the tips described in my previous post.