BB skimmer help,.....

[Wiskey]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6678944#post6678944 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Weatherman
If you want an energy-efficient skimmer, EuroReef is another good choice. I have an old ES5-3 on my 180. I think EuroReef came out with new model numbers, so I'm not sure what an equivalent model is now.

About the only modifications I had to make were adding some PVC extensions to the output riser pipe to make the skimmer skim wet and drill a hole in the collection cup to add a drain. It does a very good job in producing about 1/2 gallon of skimmate a day.

I got a new Salifert nitrate test kit this past weekend (haven't bought a new nitrate test kit in years). The test water remained clear.

How many GPH aprox would you say you put through your skimmer? How much water would you say the body holds?

Is this a recurclating skimmer?

Thanks,
Whiskey

 

[Wiskey]

Doh, double post.

Whiskey

 

[Wiskey]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6679036#post6679036 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by clkwrk
I use 2 euro reefs a 6-1 and 8-2 .Also run a g3 and g2 by ASM.

All in my sig except the g2 recirc.

As for the turbo floater you want to run it full air and with the adjusters out . The adjust your incoming flow to raise the water level to where you want it .

I will do this tonight, what do you think about the fluted cup the turbofloater uses? Do you think it would be worthwhile to replace that cup with a more standered cup?

are all 4 of those skimmers on one tank?

Thanks,
Whiskey

 

[elephen]

Where did you get the $22 a month to run a Bullet-2? I have a Bullet 2 that I power with a Pan World 150-PS pressure rated pump and it only consumes 180w... I calculated it a while back and it wasn't close to $22 a month.

Just curious to see how you figured that number.

 

[RichConley]

I <3 my turboflotor.

1 MAJOR caveat with it though, because of the narrow neck on the collection cup, it needs to be cleaned often. Mine just has the single OR2700 pump, and seems to work fine on my 58.

 

[clkwrk]

150-250 IMO .if that doesn't bring the water level up to where you want it then restict the output from the skimmer so it brings the water level up .

 

[RichConley]

180w*24 hours=4.32kwatthours/day
4.32kwatthours/day*30days =129.6kwatthours/month
129.6KWH/M*$.15/kwh=$19.44/month


You're real lucky if you can still get $.15/kwh.

 

[jeffbrig]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6678845#post6678845 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SeanT
You have the ability to control bubble size with these skimmers by opening/closing the air valves.

Sean, could you elaborate on how you have your valves adjusted? I've used pinch valves on the intake hoses to my skimmer as well. I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the balance between maximizing airflow vs. reduced airflow and getting smaller bubbles. I've played around with mine a bit, but my relatively young tank isn't heavily stocked enough to notice a real difference.

 

[Wiskey]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6679101#post6679101 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by elephen
Where did you get the $22 a month to run a Bullet-2? I have a Bullet 2 that I power with a Pan World 150-PS pressure rated pump and it only consumes 180w... I calculated it a while back and it wasn't close to $22 a month.

Just curious to see how you figured that number.

0.18 KWH * 24 hours per day =4.32 KW/day

4.32 KW/day * 30 days = 129.6 KW/month

129.6 KW/Month * $0.09 per KWH $11.64

plus I would need the exact same or larger pump as a return so the one feeding the skimmer does not run dry. So,... that is another $11.64 or greater to feed the return pump, insted of my current mag7.

Whiskey

 

[Wiskey]

Doh, Rich beat me to it. I only pay 0.09 for power here in AZ, but I took into acount the much more powerhungry return pump I would need.

Whiskey

 

[Wiskey]

I <3 my turboflotor.

I don't understand, you less than 3 your turbofloater?

Do you run a bb tank? What is your bioload? How do you run your skimmer? Water level?

Thanks,
Whiskey

Thanks,
Whiskey

 

[Wiskey]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6679159#post6679159 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by clkwrk
150-250 IMO .if that doesn't bring the water level up to where you want it then restict the output from the skimmer so it brings the water level up .

It will run the water level up high enough in this range, accually I bet it wil be in the 150-200 gph range with the air unrestricted.

Thanks,
Whiskey

 

[Weatherman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6679051#post6679051 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wiskey
How many GPH aprox would you say you put through your skimmer? How much water would you say the body holds?

Is this a recurclating skimmer?

180 gallon tank and 30 gallon sump.

I think the ES5-3ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s use little, modified Sedra pumps, running at about 350 gph. It's not recirculating, but I direct the output from the skimmer upstream in the sump so the skimmer can have the opportunity to process some water multiple times.

The skimmer has a 5" diameter and a 24" height. I'm not sure of the volume.


I'm not sure what's better, volume or dwelltime. Under normal operating conditions, my little ES5-3 matches my Bullet 3 (powered by and Iwaki 40) in terms of quality and volume of stuff removed. However, I can crank up the Bullet 3 much higher to remove particulates. I use my Bullet 3 to perform water changes and rapidly clear the water of particulates on my 120 . I can't do that with the EuroReef on my 180.

 

[Wiskey]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6679170#post6679170 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jeffbrig
Sean, could you elaborate on how you have your valves adjusted? I've used pinch valves on the intake hoses to my skimmer as well. I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the balance between maximizing airflow vs. reduced airflow and getting smaller bubbles. I've played around with mine a bit, but my relatively young tank isn't heavily stocked enough to notice a real difference.

I would replace the pinch screws with cheap plastic needle valves, you get 5 for about $3, it will save you a lot of headache.

Whiskey

 

[Sullivmw]

Re: BB skimmer help,.....

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6675024#post6675024 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wiskey
Ok, I currently have a 50 gallon BB tank, although my nitrates are 5-10 my phospate is undetectable.

I blame the nitrates on my skimmer

Trust me 5-10 for Nitrates is not a problem for some of the most sensitive SPS's.

Are you wanting to go through all of this because of the nitrates, or is there another issue you are battling ? You are looking at some expensive options, so I assume you are having a few issues with the tank ? Sorry for the questions, I just like to help fellow reefers save money when they can, and if you are certain that your phosphates are zero, and you nitrates are 5, then I would say you do not have a skimmer issue.

 

[RichConley]

I was trying to say I heart my turboflotor.

No, I run a SSB tank, not BB, but I found a huge value in putting my skimmer in its own well, so it had constant waterlevel.

 

[NoSchwag]

I personally couldn't remove particles with mine. Come to find out that when you jack that water waaay up in the neck (for wet skimming) most of the water bypasses the actual foam.

It was easy to remove the particles with filter socks though, but I don't have a wash machine so I can't be bothered with them.

 

[Wiskey]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6679212#post6679212 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Weatherman
180 gallon tank and 30 gallon sump.

I think the ES5-3ââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s use little, modified Sedra pumps, running at about 350 gph. It's not recirculating, but I direct the output from the skimmer upstream in the sump so the skimmer can have the opportunity to process some water multiple times.

The skimmer has a 5" diameter and a 24" height. I'm not sure of the volume.


I'm not sure what's better, volume or dwelltime. Under normal operating conditions, my little ES5-3 matches my Bullet 3 (powered by and Iwaki 40) in terms of quality and volume of stuff removed. However, I can crank up the Bullet 3 much higher to remove particulates. I use my Bullet 3 to perform water changes and rapidly clear the water of particulates on my 120 . I can't do that with the EuroReef on my 180.

So for normal use the needle wheel is fine, but you can't get it to overflow the way you can get the beckett to? I could definitally live with that.

The volume of your skimmer is very close to mine, same diamiter tube (I think) but mine is only 16 inches high.

Thanks,
Whiskey

 

[Wiskey]

Re: Re: BB skimmer help,.....

Re: Re: BB skimmer help,.....

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6679264#post6679264 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sullivmw
Trust me 5-10 for Nitrates is not a problem for some of the most sensitive SPS's.

Are you wanting to go through all of this because of the nitrates, or is there another issue you are battling ? You are looking at some expensive options, so I assume you are having a few issues with the tank ? Sorry for the questions, I just like to help fellow reefers save money when they can, and if you are certain that your phosphates are zero, and you nitrates are 5, then I would say you do not have a skimmer issue.

Accually right now the tank is doing better than ever, growth has started to take off, and algae is nowhere in sight. I only clean my glass every 7 days, and it doesn't really even need it, plus coraline is taking off. I just want 0, because the fact I have nitrate means I am not doing something right and I want to fix it before it causes bigger problems.

Don't worry about the questions, I don't mind answering them.

Thanks,
Whiskey

 

[Wiskey]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6679419#post6679419 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
I was trying to say I heart my turboflotor.

No, I run a SSB tank, not BB, but I found a huge value in putting my skimmer in its own well, so it had constant waterlevel.

Ahh got it , My skimmer also sits in a place where both the feed pump and the skimmer are at a very constant water level. I also went to pains to ensure this because you get more consistant skimming.

Thanks,
Whiskey