These been posted before on setting up these skimmers. These should help some of the new people here.
There are 3 controls on the skimmer:
1. INPUT controlled by gravity feed from overflow with ball or gate valve "or" pump feed with a correctly rated pump
2. OUTPUT controlled by ball or gate valve at skimmer's drain[not needed for most setups]
3. AIRFLOW controlled by air valve
To set your skimmer correctly:
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 or gate 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. i like 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 me. so, in order to tailor back the outflow from the skimmer drain and to raise the water level within the skimmer, i use a ball valve or gate valve on the output, which is control #2, and the drain does terminate underwater in my 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, but your sump water level must remain constant or the change can put variable backpressure on the exhaust. i found that the best sump water level is within an inch below the exhaust T-fitting.
3. adjust the air valve for maximum foaming with control #3. on both my Deltec and H&S skimmers that i own, it is tailored back approximately 1/4 - 1/3 which gives me the finest bubbles and good foaming head.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10454570#post10454570 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by wizsmaster
actually - that is a grossly false statement!
There are PLENTY of 'places' that sell DAS Skimmers ... HOWEVER most don't advertise it online.
Dutch Aquarium Systems is a wholesale/distributor business - they do not deal with retail business - hence Petorama.
Alot of LFS's have an account setup with DAS, chances are that one of your LFS has an account setup as well.
Another chance is that yoru LFS will tell you that DAS is a PITA to deal with, and from previous experiences they have seized to order from them due to their poor packaging & poor sucessful shipping rate.
This is the story i got from different LFSs, in Fort Myers, FL, Tampa, Miami & others LFSs that do retail over the internet as a side business.
i have never seen them for sale anywhere but those 2 places. Thanks for clearing that up!!
