DAS skimmer club
- Thread starter keinreis
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I agree with USC, its probably better to give it a few days to break in and see where it is. But with that said, the only way to be able to experiment with whatever water level you want and the amount of air is to lower the output T and put a gate valve on the output. Or, use an expansion coupler on the output. I did the gate valve before I ever put my EX-2 in service. Drop the T 2 or 3 inches (probably 2" on the EX-1 would be plenty) and put a gate valve in. There is no way it can screw up the skimmer. It just gives you more control of everything. Another suggestion ... go up 1 size on the gate valve fromthe output pipe size. 1" pipe, use a 1 1/4" gate valve and reduce the input ad output with 1 1/4 to 1" reducer busings. That way, there is no restriction smaller than 1" on the output. A 1" gate valve usually has a flow thru that is a little smaller than 1" .
Big_D
New member
Wow... took me a little while to get caught up on this thread, especially with dphinsx2 avatar. Every time I get on this thread, I have to take a good look at it. 
Well I finally took the time today to finish up my DIY mufflers and brackets on my EX-3 and I have to say, it made a huge difference. I made 3 brackets out of black Kidex which looks almost identical to the neck and base material used on these skimmers. I mounted them with some PVC bolts, nuts and washers to make stand offs, and then mounted some DIY mufflers made from sch 80 3/4 caps and tube along with some small lengths of rigid tubing (like refridgerator tubing, just one size larger). The swishing, sucking sound was muffled out completely, even my wife said it sounded quieter in the fish room which is a big plus. :thumbsup:
Oh yeah... finally got the tank replumbed, the new sump in and the skimmer in it's rightful place.
Here's a few pics of the mufflers installed:
Mufflers
Up Close
Big D
Well I finally took the time today to finish up my DIY mufflers and brackets on my EX-3 and I have to say, it made a huge difference. I made 3 brackets out of black Kidex which looks almost identical to the neck and base material used on these skimmers. I mounted them with some PVC bolts, nuts and washers to make stand offs, and then mounted some DIY mufflers made from sch 80 3/4 caps and tube along with some small lengths of rigid tubing (like refridgerator tubing, just one size larger). The swishing, sucking sound was muffled out completely, even my wife said it sounded quieter in the fish room which is a big plus. :thumbsup:
Oh yeah... finally got the tank replumbed, the new sump in and the skimmer in it's rightful place.
Here's a few pics of the mufflers installed:
Mufflers
Up Close
Big D
DeltecRules
New member
Those are some nice mufflers. Are they restricting the air at all?
Big_D
New member
Thanks... if they are restricting the air, I don't see how. There's nothing inside of them, and the tubing on the top is actually larger than the venturi tubes. I'll know in a few days based on the skimmant production.
I originally built some that I had to use cotton in to quiet them down, but I gave up on those a month or so back when I realized they were restricting the air. I don't have any air valves on the skimmer and never have. These mufflers didn't appear to effect the bubble size at all, but time will tell.
Big D
I originally built some that I had to use cotton in to quiet them down, but I gave up on those a month or so back when I realized they were restricting the air. I don't have any air valves on the skimmer and never have. These mufflers didn't appear to effect the bubble size at all, but time will tell.
Big D
burton14e7
New member
How exactly do the mufflers work? I'm not getting it.
Bud's Reef
New member
I ordered a DAS EX-2 from Petorama Monday morning and received it today. The pumps were not attached and it was packed very well with no visible damage. Unfortunately, as others here have commented there was no packing list or instructions with it and I have never hooked a skimmer up before so this should be interesting. Luckily, a couple of guys from our reef club have them running, including CATIII with the cool mufflers, so I expect I'll try to pick their brains on getting it running.
You can check out deltec instructions, since these are deltec design skimmers it uses the same set up.
http://www.deltecusa.us/docs/APSeries.pdf
Bud's Reef
New member
Thanks! That helps!
Big_D
New member
I've had a few requests for overall pics of the skimmer installed in the stand, here's a few. I had to rob the kids bathroom step stool to put it on since the output was about an inch too low to reach over my new sump. I plan on putting in an American DJ switch panel next to the RKII, each pump for the skimmer will have it's own switch and it should clear up some of the clutter. I still have to hook up the waste collecor and my FMC:
Shot 1
Shot 2
Big D
Shot 1
Shot 2
Big D
vickreyreef
New member
so is it always that clean and organized or was that for our benefit If you say it always is I have to skulk away in shame, cuz it certaintly isn't how ours looks lol
If you say it always is I have to skulk away in shame, cuz it certaintly isn't how ours looks lol
grundig5
New member
Yeah if you want to see clutter...try an Ex-1, Ca reactor, 20x20 sump, phosban reactor, DC8, fan, fuge light, CO2 bottle, seio controller, and all accompanying cords tucked under a 24x24 stand. Yours looks very nice...
BTW, the slightly smaller o ring I purchased is still working fine.
BTW, the slightly smaller o ring I purchased is still working fine.
Big_D
New member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10997630#post10997630 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vickreyreef
so is it always that clean and organized or was that for our benefit
It usually stays pretty much uncluttered, but it's real clean right now since I had everything out from under it last week.
Big D
Bud's Reef
New member
I got my EX-2 hooked up today temporarily to a piece of my sump, a 70G Rubbermaid Tank with 215lbs of live rock. I hand tightened all the connections and had no leaks or problems. Right now I'm running it off a MJ1200 and had to close the ball valve some to keep it from overflowing with the venturies all the way open.
Bud's Reef
New member
After running all night I have about a half inch of dark tea water in the collection cup. Is that about normal after less than 24 hours? When adjusting the venturies is the goal to have them all the way open or just barely open?
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