ETSS...skimmer question

[all-apologies]

hey,

I have an old etss reef devil that i bought used. My problem is that it skims really wierdly.

Ok, so it has a collection cup drain that goes to an old milk jug. The skimmer skims really dry when the tube going to the collection jug is slightly submerged- in wither skimmate or water.

When the outlet tube is not submerged, the skimmer skims wery wet and is does not pull out anything dirty or gross.

Anyone had this problem? Anyone know what i shoud do? Did i not break it in right?

I think that maybe there is just not ebough stuff in my tank to currently get it going. But sometimes it pulls out some nasty stuff...

-----Also - when i look at other peoples etss's, the riser tube allways gets dirty, but not mine, it has never gotten any sludge build-up in it, it is allways skimming way to wet for that...???

thanks,

 

[mta]

Your skimmer seems to be kicking some serious a.
If you want a dirty riser tube, cut down on the feed pump.

 

[all-apologies]

haha - i like it when people keep it simple

thanks,

 

[skimmy]

what you want to do is attach the tube to the top lid of the collection bottle so this way air can always escape the skimmer(make a second hole for the air to escape the collection bottle), you dont want it submerged below water/skimmate level this will cause back pressure and the skimmer will not function at optimum power.
what pump are you using with this skimmer?
and do you have a control valve on the air intake to skimmer?

 

[mta]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8577753#post8577753 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by koraltek
what you want to do is attach the tube to the top lid of the collection bottle so this way air can always escape the skimmer(make a second hole for the air to escape the collection bottle), you dont want it submerged below water/skimmate level this will cause back pressure and the skimmer will not function at optimum power.
what pump are you using with this skimmer?
and do you have a control valve on the air intake to skimmer?

I wouldnt change the way he has it set up now.The manufacturer of the skimmer recommends having the waste line half way in the collection bottle.This will cause skimmer shut down in case of problem. (flooding). Its a diy auto shutoff.The backpressure is only an issue if the collection bottle is getting full.Good thing imo.

 

[all-apologies]

i dont have an air intake control valve. ETSS never says anything about them.

i have seen people do what you say about having another hole in the top, but my problem is that when the air comes out easily, it doesnt skim all that well

 

[mta]

Have you tryed adding a couple of bioballs? I read in the manual adding bioballs (dry foam) subtracting bioballs (wetter foam).

 

[all-apologies]

o really, that seems pretty logical, i think i will try that.

but im gonna need some more micro bio-balls, all i have now is the big ones

thanks

 

[Digikill]

I know this thread is old, but if it still helps...

In your pictures the water column was way to high! It looks like your using the foam tower tube as a reaction chamber.

According to the manufacturer, only foam from the sump body of the skimmer should be visible in the clear tube.

Pic 1

If you can see water in it at all, you need to lower the water level in the skimmers sump by slowly opening the gate valve to let more water out.

or

Cut down on the input flow to the skimmer a tiny bit. ETSS skimmers are very sensitive, so do little adjustments and wait a half hour. Patience is key here.

or

The drain tube:

Air on ETSS skimmers flows down the downdraft tube, mixes with the water, flows into the skimmers sump, and rises up through the foam tower into the collection cup. From there it pushes any skimmate through the drain tube to where ever it's being collected. If it's underwater you restrict the flow of air OUT of the skimmer and thus create back pressure against the bubbles rising up into the collection chamber. This impedes it's ability to make foam efficiently. When you pull it out of the water, the pressure is released, and because you have the water level adjusted too high it gets really wet.

I think if you keep the drain line open to the air, lower the water level to where you can't see it in the foam tower, and do this incrementally over a few hours, you will fix your problem once and for all.

Hope this helps.

Link to manufacturer site.
Concept

 

[monkey61672]

I wonder why i could never get my Ets right, Its like rocket science.

 

[gasman059]

pro 800 dialed inn looks like this

pro 800 dialed inn looks like this

I just boufght a collection cup with carbon filter b/c it really began smelling in my room.

[/IMG]

 

[gasman059]

I'll post again tonite with the whole thing running ad skimmate. I dont get as much as u do though.

 

[mta]

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[gasman059]

hey mta how long for that amonut of skim in the collector?

 

[mta]

About six days.

 

[mta]

Gasman, Looks great.What pump are you using?

 

[gasman059]

here it is

here it is

btw the pump is 40 rt iwaki

[/IMG] :smokin:

 

[gasman059]

ive had multiple skimmers and setup i do believe that etss rocks IMO

 

[gasman059]

BTW i dont skimm as much as u do/iget about wat u c in the pic in 3-5 days

 

[mta]

Why is there no carbon in they collector basket?