ER-ES Protein Skimmer Riser Pipe?

[DannyUFKC]

What is the purpose of the adjustable riser pipe on the outlet pipe of a skimmer?

I have it down all the way because Euroreef's instructions say to keep it down for the first few hours. However, they don't explain what it is supposed to do.

For someone that has never used a protein skimmer in their lives, the instructions don't explain much.

 

[Ewan]

There is a water level in the skimmer, despite the fact that it is full of bubbles. If you raise the outlet tube, the water level in the skimmer is higher. If you lower it, it is lower.

once your skimmer settles down, it's suggested to position the riser tube so that the foam is at the base of the collection cup. Myself, I position the riser tube so that the foam is quite high (about 1.5" down from the top) so that I collect wetter skimmate.

It'll make perfect sense once your skimmer settles down over the next couple of days.

-Rob

 

[DannyUFKC]

Thank You Rob. Now why can't they explain it like that on the instruction booklet?

Ok now this poses another question though. What about the airline control valve? Because I was playing around with it the other day to see what it does and when I open the valve a little, the bubbles go higher inside the skimmer. When I turn it the other way my sump gets full of bubbles and my return pump takes all those bubbles into the main tank.

I've been keeping it to where the bubbles are just barely spilling into the collection cup. So if I raise the adjustable riser pipe, will I have to mess with the airline control valve?

 

[Ewan]

Generally, the air control valve is left wide open. If I'm not mistaken, it was added for extra control for certain situations (such as breaking in your skimmer) when the bubbles are still spilling over, and the riser tube is at it's lowest. A good example of this is when I change my micron sock. I need to restrict the airflow for a few hours so that I don't have water spraying all over the inside of my stand.

For my air control valve, (when it's not wide open) I restrict the airflow to get the most amount of bubbles in the contact chamber. This is probably about 90-95% open. With this type of skimmer (non-recirculating) there is a balance of water and air mixing in the reactor. Less air means faster waterflow. The result of this is usually an unweidly amount of waterflow, which in turn causes many bubbles to reach the bottom of the skimmer, and subsuquently out in to the sump.

The air control was not present when I purchased my ER, but I've since added it specifically for extra control when I change my filter socks.

Hope that made sense.

-Rob

 

[sttroyiii]

I can only speak for the Coralife skimmer, but maybe its similar, or at least help you understand whats going on better. During the break in period, the air control valve is opened maybe halfway. For some reason, skimmers dont work best until they get dirty for a couple of days. When they are brand new, I think they bubble too good, so you have to back that adjustment down some. During this time, I have the output tube adjustment, or I guess riser pipe adjustment in your case, opened all the way (least restriction). During the break in period, you will see that you can 'ease on the throttle' by opening up the air valve. Each day you will be able to open it more until its wide open. At that point, you can start dialing the riser pipe to more exact levels to start skimming. At first, dont try to collect any skimmate. Just let it get dirty, because as it breaks in, the heights of the water/bubbles will change.

The level they are referring to when adjusting it is where water and foam kind of seperate. This line is what determines how dark the skimmate is. Start by having it at the bottom of the collection cup by adjusting the riser pipe adjustment. If that doesnt get any results after a day, raise it up a little higher. Just figure out how often you want to empty it, then play with the settings until it fills up that often. It will change with how much you feed, how much life you add to it, etc. I like to collect pretty wet skimmate, I want the dirty stuff out of the water column as quick as possible.

HTH