DAS EX-1 Question
- Thread starter JasonF
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schneijt
Premium Member
I've looked at the DAS skimmers before, and I wondered this same thing. If I owned one, I'd put a gate valve on the output pipe at the spot where I wanted the lowest water level to be. I can't figure out why they put a valve on the intake, perhaps both of us are missing something, but I doubt it. You want to control the gph through the skimmer, and you also want to control the water/foam height in the chamber. However, those two things can't both be controlled by adjusting the flow into the skimmer. So, my suggestion is to look into putting a gate valve on the outlet pipe.
Hopefully others will chime in,
Joe
Hopefully others will chime in,
Joe
glassbox-design
New member
its based on the height of the discharge tube, where the water exits back to the tank...you can put a gate valve on for finer tuning.
NO reason to put a gate valve on it.
You control the water level by using the intake valve and air valves.
First with the skimmer pump off make sure the water level in the skimmer is right where the collection cup is connected.
With the skimmer pump on, you then use the air valve to set where you want the bubbles to break.
It really easy and once you set it where you like to skim[wet/dry] you don't have to mess with it any more.
You control the water level by using the intake valve and air valves.
First with the skimmer pump off make sure the water level in the skimmer is right where the collection cup is connected.
With the skimmer pump on, you then use the air valve to set where you want the bubbles to break.
It really easy and once you set it where you like to skim[wet/dry] you don't have to mess with it any more.
HBtank
Premium Member
You use the air intake. Set mine up today to break in and started playing with it.
I just cant see any instance where I would use a gate, if I did, I would just be lowering the LPH of air for sure because it will NOT be maxxed out...
Here is pic of breaking it in with it not even hooked up to any water input, the water line is well below the output tee. And that is NOT full air. Lol, a lot of good a gate would do in that pic... heh
To say the least, I am more than impressed with this skimmer so far. That pump rocks....
I just cant see any instance where I would use a gate, if I did, I would just be lowering the LPH of air for sure because it will NOT be maxxed out...
Here is pic of breaking it in with it not even hooked up to any water input, the water line is well below the output tee. And that is NOT full air. Lol, a lot of good a gate would do in that pic... heh
To say the least, I am more than impressed with this skimmer so far. That pump rocks....
Last edited:
Reef Sponger
In Memoriam
This might be helpful, found this post on the Deltec forum
This might be helpful, found this post on the Deltec forum
Not sure if this is helpful as I don't own a DAS or Deltec skimmer, but it was good info on how to adjust my new H&S recirculating skimmer.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6963031#post6963031 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by UCanDoIt
I have spent many many hours talking to the my Aquarium tech (who maintains all my tanks) about plumbing and he's tried it all, made his share of mistakes, and the way he has my tank set up works great.
There are 3 controls on the skimmer:
1. Input controlled by gravity feed from overflow with ball valve or pump with the correct rate
2. Output controlled by ball or gate valve at skimmer's drain
3. Air flow controlled by air valve
To set your skimmer correctly (as I am told):
1. first you must be sure the water flow through rate is matched to your skimmer. most of the time, for gravity feed, one would need to tailor the rate back by ball valve in control #1 as the water turnover rate is usually much stronger than your skimmer can accept. or you can feed skimmer with a correctly rated pump or powerhead
2. next, with the water flow through rate adjusted correctly, the water level within the skimmer must be at the right level for the skimmer to perform optimally. water level should just at the bottom edge of the bayonet connection between the collection cup and skimmer body. the highest water level you should have is no higher than the top edge of the bayonet top edge and the lowest is no lower than 3/4" below the bayonet connection. my Aquarium tech likes the skimmer water level on the high side, so even when the water flow through rate is correct, the water level is too low for him. so in order to tailor back the outflow from the skimmer drain and to raise the water level within the skimmer, he puts a ball valve or gate valve on the output, which is control #2, and the drain does terminate underwater in the sump. so, the comment that the outflow should not be underwater is a preferred situation, but works great even if you terminate underwater (unless with the correct water flow through rate, the water level in your skimmer is already at the top edge of the bayonet). all that happens when the exhaust terminates underwater is puts a little backpressure on the system, but that just increases the water level in the skimmer, which in my situation is on the low side when the water flow through rate adjusted correctly. the benefit of having the drain terminate underwater is no splashing noise at all.
<IMG SRC="http://usera.imagecave.com/winner/DeltecWaterLevel.jpg">
<a href="http://usera.imagecave.com/winner/DeltecExhaust.jpg"><img src="http://usera.imagecave.com/winner/icth_DeltecExhaust.jpg.jpg"></a><a href="http://usera.imagecave.com/winner/DeltecPlumbing.jpg"><img src="http://usera.imagecave.com/winner/icth_DeltecPlumbing.jpg.jpg"></a>
MY AQUATECH CUSTOM MADE THESE FOR ME.
3. adjust the air valve for maximum foaming with control #3. on both my Deltec and H&S skimmers, it is tailored back approximately 1/4 - 1/3 which gives me the finest bubbles and good foaming head.
HTH, this is just one example of how it can work. Many others have different ways that they setup their skimmers.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7303934#post7303934 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by UCanDoIt
Filling a 1g milk jug from the T off the drain of your skimmer:
150gph takes approximately 24secs to fill 1g
175gph takes approximately 21secs to fill 1g
200gph takes approximately 18secs to fill 1g
225gph takes approximately 16secs to fill 1g
250gph takes approximately 14secs to fill 1g
275gph takes approximately 13secs to fill 1g
300gph takes approximately 12secs to fill 1g
325gph takes approximately 11secs to fill 1g
350gph takes approximately 10secs to fill 1g
HTH. When you measure off the drain pipe, use the ball valve that you installed before the skimmer to control and adjust waterflow through the skimmer and then to the 1g milk jug.
This might be helpful, found this post on the Deltec forum
Not sure if this is helpful as I don't own a DAS or Deltec skimmer, but it was good info on how to adjust my new H&S recirculating skimmer.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6963031#post6963031 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by UCanDoIt
I have spent many many hours talking to the my Aquarium tech (who maintains all my tanks) about plumbing and he's tried it all, made his share of mistakes, and the way he has my tank set up works great.
There are 3 controls on the skimmer:
1. Input controlled by gravity feed from overflow with ball valve or pump with the correct rate
2. Output controlled by ball or gate valve at skimmer's drain
3. Air flow controlled by air valve
To set your skimmer correctly (as I am told):
1. first you must be sure the water flow through rate is matched to your skimmer. most of the time, for gravity feed, one would need to tailor the rate back by ball valve in control #1 as the water turnover rate is usually much stronger than your skimmer can accept. or you can feed skimmer with a correctly rated pump or powerhead
2. next, with the water flow through rate adjusted correctly, the water level within the skimmer must be at the right level for the skimmer to perform optimally. water level should just at the bottom edge of the bayonet connection between the collection cup and skimmer body. the highest water level you should have is no higher than the top edge of the bayonet top edge and the lowest is no lower than 3/4" below the bayonet connection. my Aquarium tech likes the skimmer water level on the high side, so even when the water flow through rate is correct, the water level is too low for him. so in order to tailor back the outflow from the skimmer drain and to raise the water level within the skimmer, he puts a ball valve or gate valve on the output, which is control #2, and the drain does terminate underwater in the sump. so, the comment that the outflow should not be underwater is a preferred situation, but works great even if you terminate underwater (unless with the correct water flow through rate, the water level in your skimmer is already at the top edge of the bayonet). all that happens when the exhaust terminates underwater is puts a little backpressure on the system, but that just increases the water level in the skimmer, which in my situation is on the low side when the water flow through rate adjusted correctly. the benefit of having the drain terminate underwater is no splashing noise at all.
<IMG SRC="http://usera.imagecave.com/winner/DeltecWaterLevel.jpg">
<a href="http://usera.imagecave.com/winner/DeltecExhaust.jpg"><img src="http://usera.imagecave.com/winner/icth_DeltecExhaust.jpg.jpg"></a><a href="http://usera.imagecave.com/winner/DeltecPlumbing.jpg"><img src="http://usera.imagecave.com/winner/icth_DeltecPlumbing.jpg.jpg"></a>
MY AQUATECH CUSTOM MADE THESE FOR ME.
3. adjust the air valve for maximum foaming with control #3. on both my Deltec and H&S skimmers, it is tailored back approximately 1/4 - 1/3 which gives me the finest bubbles and good foaming head.
HTH, this is just one example of how it can work. Many others have different ways that they setup their skimmers.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7303934#post7303934 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by UCanDoIt
Filling a 1g milk jug from the T off the drain of your skimmer:
150gph takes approximately 24secs to fill 1g
175gph takes approximately 21secs to fill 1g
200gph takes approximately 18secs to fill 1g
225gph takes approximately 16secs to fill 1g
250gph takes approximately 14secs to fill 1g
275gph takes approximately 13secs to fill 1g
300gph takes approximately 12secs to fill 1g
325gph takes approximately 11secs to fill 1g
350gph takes approximately 10secs to fill 1g
HTH. When you measure off the drain pipe, use the ball valve that you installed before the skimmer to control and adjust waterflow through the skimmer and then to the 1g milk jug.
Last edited:
HBtank
Premium Member
I am going to run some GPH tests this week and decide if a gate valve is needed on the output. I am starting to think I do.
I have the levels fine, but want to make sure the GPH is at around 160 gph so that reaction time is matched and turbulence is lowered at the top of the skimmer.
Once I do this I might be adding a gate if needed to the output so that I can follow the guide above (which is exactly the way to go IMO) and will post again with the results. From all I have read though, this skimmer should be matched to exactly 160 gallons to produce the right level in the chamber. So I might not "need" it and might just add one to have the ability to lower the GPH to less than 160 and see the effects..
BTW, I am getting great skimate for the first 2 days.... I'll post a pic later tonight. I'll probably have my decision by then as well.
I have the levels fine, but want to make sure the GPH is at around 160 gph so that reaction time is matched and turbulence is lowered at the top of the skimmer.
Once I do this I might be adding a gate if needed to the output so that I can follow the guide above (which is exactly the way to go IMO) and will post again with the results. From all I have read though, this skimmer should be matched to exactly 160 gallons to produce the right level in the chamber. So I might not "need" it and might just add one to have the ability to lower the GPH to less than 160 and see the effects..
BTW, I am getting great skimate for the first 2 days.... I'll post a pic later tonight. I'll probably have my decision by then as well.
Last edited:
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