ETSS Skimmer Club!
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jlemieux123
New member
here are some pics of my skimmer
here are some pics of my skimmer
Here are some pics of my skimmer it is a little hard to see since it is in my sump under my tank crammed in with everything else.
First thing you all will notice is the orange and black clamps. This is a mod that the previous owner did and it makes it so much more easy to clean the main body of skimmer.
Second you can see the big white silencer that I a made in about 5min. and it works great. it is just an aluminum can wrapped with masking tape with little slits cut in to it.
Also, you can see the black and gray thing at the end of the clear cylinder which is a becker mod. which I feel help a lot.
This skimmer may be old and not easy on the eye but I have thick milky foam water with excellent skimming performance.
also it only cost me $150 with a newer pump
<a href="http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n26/jlemieux123/?action=view¤t=1217313565.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n26/jlemieux123/1217313565.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n26/jlemieux123/?action=view¤t=1217313564.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n26/jlemieux123/1217313564.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
here are some pics of my skimmer
Here are some pics of my skimmer it is a little hard to see since it is in my sump under my tank crammed in with everything else.
First thing you all will notice is the orange and black clamps. This is a mod that the previous owner did and it makes it so much more easy to clean the main body of skimmer.
Second you can see the big white silencer that I a made in about 5min. and it works great. it is just an aluminum can wrapped with masking tape with little slits cut in to it.
Also, you can see the black and gray thing at the end of the clear cylinder which is a becker mod. which I feel help a lot.
This skimmer may be old and not easy on the eye but I have thick milky foam water with excellent skimming performance.
also it only cost me $150 with a newer pump
<a href="http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n26/jlemieux123/?action=view¤t=1217313565.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n26/jlemieux123/1217313565.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s108.photobucket.com/albums/n26/jlemieux123/?action=view¤t=1217313564.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i108.photobucket.com/albums/n26/jlemieux123/1217313564.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
Greetings...
To an extent, I disagree. I don't think it's fair to make a blanket statement that a downdraft skimmer is less efficient (electrically) than other skimmer types. It's true that the downdraft approach requires a larger pump to generate the foam and that might use more electricity than some skimmers, but, many of the skimmers that are getting a lot of visibility these days require a feed pump and one (or several) recirculation pumps. The sum total of those pumps could easily equal or surpass the electrical requirements for the recommended pump on a downdraft skimmer.
It's not inaccurate to say they might use more electricity, but it's not true across the board. Not trying to start a battle I'm just not a big fan of blanket statements
Respectfully, that's my two cents...
To an extent, I disagree. I don't think it's fair to make a blanket statement that a downdraft skimmer is less efficient (electrically) than other skimmer types. It's true that the downdraft approach requires a larger pump to generate the foam and that might use more electricity than some skimmers, but, many of the skimmers that are getting a lot of visibility these days require a feed pump and one (or several) recirculation pumps. The sum total of those pumps could easily equal or surpass the electrical requirements for the recommended pump on a downdraft skimmer.
It's not inaccurate to say they might use more electricity, but it's not true across the board. Not trying to start a battle
I'm just not a big fan of blanket statementsRespectfully, that's my two cents...
gasman059
The OG mad scientist
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13043949#post13043949 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Indyws6
Greetings...
To an extent, I disagree. I don't think it's fair to make a blanket statement that a downdraft skimmer is less efficient (electrically) than other skimmer types. It's true that the downdraft approach requires a larger pump to generate the foam and that might use more electricity than some skimmers, but, many of the skimmers that are getting a lot of visibility these days require a feed pump and one (or several) recirculation pumps. The sum total of those pumps could easily equal or surpass the electrical requirements for the recommended pump on a downdraft skimmer.
It's not inaccurate to say they might use more electricity, but it's not true across the board. Not trying to start a battle
Respectfully, that's my two cents...
ETSS require pressure rated pumps that in general(more often than not require lots more wattage- fact)
Mine was an 800 with an iwaki 55 and yes it worked very well in my tank with tons of livestock. I've used ETSS since its beginnings, and have used one in several tanks from 600 to 200 gallons.
Will be using a BK most likely in my next tank.
gasman059
The OG mad scientist
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13043949#post13043949 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Indyws6
Greetings...
To an extent, I disagree. I don't think it's fair to make a blanket statement that a downdraft skimmer is less efficient (electrically) than other skimmer types. It's true that the downdraft approach requires a larger pump to generate the foam and that might use more electricity than some skimmers, but, many of the skimmers that are getting a lot of visibility these days require a feed pump and one (or several) recirculation pumps. The sum total of those pumps could easily equal or surpass the electrical requirements for the recommended pump on a downdraft skimmer.
It's not inaccurate to say they might use more electricity, but it's not true across the board. Not trying to start a battle
Respectfully, that's my two cents...
ETSS require pressure rated pumps that in general(more often than not require lots more wattage- fact)
Mine was an 800 with an iwaki 55 and yes it worked very well in my tank with tons of livestock. I've used ETSS since its beginnings, and have used one in several tanks from 600 to 200 gallons.
Will be using a BK most likely in my next tank.
GASMAN - Greetings Again
Understood - I think, though, that there are skimmers out there that, if you combine the wattage of all of the pumps (feed & re-circulating) it can approach or exceed the wattage required for a single pressure-rated pump on a downdraft. The ETSS skimmers typically do require a sizable volume of water and that tends to lead to pumps that make the meter spin a bit faster - no argument there...
I have looked at replacing my Reef Devil Deluxe with a BK or Orca or similar "high-end" skimmer, but simply don't have the room. I want to keep all of my equipment in the stand (DT is in my living room...) and nearly every skimmer I've looked at it is too tall. That is one big advantage that ETSS has for me - by keeping most of their skimmers at 24" or less, it opens-up the possibility for in-stand use for a lot of people. Granted, some value that more than others, but for me it is a selling point.
Speaking of selling, do you still use the ETSS setup? Will you be looking to sell it when you move to the new skimmer? If so, I might be in the market, Let me know...
Take Care
Understood - I think, though, that there are skimmers out there that, if you combine the wattage of all of the pumps (feed & re-circulating) it can approach or exceed the wattage required for a single pressure-rated pump on a downdraft. The ETSS skimmers typically do require a sizable volume of water and that tends to lead to pumps that make the meter spin a bit faster - no argument there...
I have looked at replacing my Reef Devil Deluxe with a BK or Orca or similar "high-end" skimmer, but simply don't have the room. I want to keep all of my equipment in the stand (DT is in my living room...) and nearly every skimmer I've looked at it is too tall. That is one big advantage that ETSS has for me - by keeping most of their skimmers at 24" or less, it opens-up the possibility for in-stand use for a lot of people. Granted, some value that more than others, but for me it is a selling point.
Speaking of selling, do you still use the ETSS setup? Will you be looking to sell it when you move to the new skimmer? If so, I might be in the market, Let me know
...Take Care
gasman059
The OG mad scientist
Agreed -!<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13044250#post13044250 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Indyws6
GASMAN - Greetings Again
Understood - I think, though, that there are skimmers out there that, if you combine the wattage of all of the pumps (feed & re-circulating) it can approach or exceed the wattage required for a single pressure-rated pump on a downdraft. The ETSS skimmers typically do require a sizable volume of water and that tends to lead to pumps that make the meter spin a bit faster - no argument there...
I have looked at replacing my Reef Devil Deluxe with a BK or Orca or similar "high-end" skimmer, but simply don't have the room. I want to keep all of my equipment in the stand (DT is in my living room...) and nearly every skimmer I've looked at it is too tall. That is one big advantage that ETSS has for me - by keeping most of their skimmers at 24" or less, it opens-up the possibility for in-stand use for a lot of people. Granted, some value that more than others, but for me it is a selling point.
Speaking of selling, do you still use the ETSS setup? Will you be looking to sell it when you move to the new skimmer? If so, I might be in the market, Let me know
Take Care
Rrecently took the tank down and working on my upgrade.
the tank sold as a whole.
I'm prolly getting the BK 200 that is under 24 for my new tank.
This tank as well as others used to be skimmed by the ETSS and had livestock from many previous tanks w/o issues.
As u can see I have tons of livestock that need taking care off that's why the BK200 I believe will do the trick.U get what u pay for in this hobby(been there done that and I have a t-shirt also LOL)
good luck.
GASMAN - Greetings
That's awesome! My tank wants to be yours when it grows up
I'd love to see a photo of the equipment in use to support that tank. I love the tank views, but I also enjoy the equipment side of things. Clearly you are doing something right!
P.S. "Gasman" - as in the gas man on a pit crew?
Take Care
That's awesome! My tank wants to be yours when it grows up
I'd love to see a photo of the equipment in use to support that tank. I love the tank views, but I also enjoy the equipment side of things. Clearly you are doing something right!
P.S. "Gasman" - as in the gas man on a pit crew?
Take Care
gasman059
The OG mad scientist
LMAO gasman as in knock u out for surgery.<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13044824#post13044824 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Indyws6
GASMAN - Greetings
That's awesome! My tank wants to be yours when it grows up
I'd love to see a photo of the equipment in use to support that tank. I love the tank views, but I also enjoy the equipment side of things. Clearly you are doing something right!
P.S. "Gasman" - as in the gas man on a pit crew?
Take Care
Many gadgets- aquatronica-u/v-geo rx-denitrator etc.
GASMAN - I get it! I made an assumption and (once again) was WAY off. Quite a bit more lucrative than trying to shove 25 gallons of fuel into a car in 13.8 seconds (I'm guessing...)
Whatever you had running on the tank must have been a good combination - it looked great...
Take Care
I made an assumption and (once again) was WAY off. Quite a bit more lucrative than trying to shove 25 gallons of fuel into a car in 13.8 seconds (I'm guessing...)Whatever you had running on the tank must have been a good combination - it looked great...
Take Care
Hi everyone,
I just wanted some feedback on your overall experience with etss. i have a 210, and was looking at the 800 xr and the 900. i am wondering if you current etss owners had to start over would you stick with etss or go with something else. With the sump/fuge, 2 iwaki 50 pumps, 800xr, and fittings coming close to 2k i wanted to get some opinions. what do you like/ dislike?
I just wanted some feedback on your overall experience with etss. i have a 210, and was looking at the 800 xr and the 900. i am wondering if you current etss owners had to start over would you stick with etss or go with something else. With the sump/fuge, 2 iwaki 50 pumps, 800xr, and fittings coming close to 2k i wanted to get some opinions. what do you like/ dislike?
thecichlidpleco
New member
Finally got my 600(older version), but have two different sources saying that a mag 5 or 7 should be used and another saying that a mag 12(the etss manual) should be used. Which is suggested?
I think the Mag 12 would be correct. My Reef Devil Deluxe, which is a smaller skimmer, requires a CA1800 or Mag 7, so it wouldn't make sense that a 600 would use that small of a pump. Plus, the new version of the 600 (XR) requires larger external (Iwaki, etc.) pumps...
Hope this helps...
Hope this helps...
Zen685
Member
I have a question for any Reef Devil Deluxe owners out there. I just bought a used RDD from someone in my local club who has been using the skimmer successfully for awhile now. I set it up in a tub with a few pieces of dead rock so I can seed the dead with some live to be purchased later. So far (8hrs) I haven't been able to get any bubbles to flow over the top of the collection cup. I've adjusted the back pressure to allow the water level to rise but the amount of bubbles just isn't high enough. I noticed that there are only 6 bio balls in the downdraft tower. Could that be the problem?
FYI, I don't expect to make any skimmate right now, I just want the bubbles and this is my first skimmer so I don't really know what I'm doing.
FYI, I don't expect to make any skimmate right now, I just want the bubbles and this is my first skimmer so I don't really know what I'm doing.
Greetings...
A couple of things...
First, if you only have "clean" saltwater with a few pieces of base rock in a tub, there really won't be enough disolved organic compounds for the skimmer to act upon.
Second, even if you put the skimmer in action on a running tank, 8 hours is not enough time to expect the bubbles to flow over into the collection cup. For reference, after a thorough cleaning, my Reef Devil Deluxe can take as long as 24 hours before it produces enough foam to start overflowing into the collection cup.
You might want to consider putting more bio-balls in the tower. Using fewer balls creates more turbulence (and more foam), but it also makes the skimmer "twitchy" and more sensitive to tank changes. I tried using fewer balls to increase foam production and found that there were wild swings between no foam production and overflowing the cup. I eventually settled on using 9 balls in the tower, which seems to be the "sweet spot" for my tank.
P.S. If you haven't already done so, get a piece of fishing line and tie it to the first bio-ball that goes into the tower, leaving some hanging out. You can use it to pull all of the balls out for cleaning, or if you decide to change the number. Beats disconnecting the skimmer so you can dump them out...
Hope this helps...
A couple of things...
First, if you only have "clean" saltwater with a few pieces of base rock in a tub, there really won't be enough disolved organic compounds for the skimmer to act upon.
Second, even if you put the skimmer in action on a running tank, 8 hours is not enough time to expect the bubbles to flow over into the collection cup. For reference, after a thorough cleaning, my Reef Devil Deluxe can take as long as 24 hours before it produces enough foam to start overflowing into the collection cup.
You might want to consider putting more bio-balls in the tower. Using fewer balls creates more turbulence (and more foam), but it also makes the skimmer "twitchy" and more sensitive to tank changes. I tried using fewer balls to increase foam production and found that there were wild swings between no foam production and overflowing the cup. I eventually settled on using 9 balls in the tower, which seems to be the "sweet spot" for my tank.
P.S. If you haven't already done so, get a piece of fishing line and tie it to the first bio-ball that goes into the tower, leaving some hanging out. You can use it to pull all of the balls out for cleaning, or if you decide to change the number. Beats disconnecting the skimmer so you can dump them out...
Hope this helps...
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