EuroReef Club

[otterpop510]

question for the euro-reefers, i'm hoping to get a ER skimmer for my 75 gallon, decently stocked; i was thinking of either a 5-3 or a 6-1 or 6-2. question is whether length of cylinder or diameter is more important for skimming?

for the 5-3 the diameter is 5" with 24" height; 6-1 is a 6" diameter with 20" height; both rated for within 10 gallons of one another (90 gallon versus 100 gallon). i know that people say the pump is the most important, both seem to use the sp2 (modded sedra 3500, right?). any comments either way on why i should or should not spend an extra $50 on the 6-1 versus 5-3 (efficiency, sound (important for me..), power, etc.)? has anyone noticed the the sp2 working better on one versus another?

skimmer is going into a 29 gallon sump/fuge for my 75 gallon. thanks in advance for the advice, i'm trying to learn so i can buy once and do it right the first time.

 

[Paladin]

I need some help with my ES5-2. I've been running the skimmer now for over 6 months. The first few months it was working fine with no problems. Now I constantly hear a slurping sound because the intake of the skimmer pump is sucking in air. To alleviate this, I have to bleed back some water from the return pump so that the water level is higher in the skimmer side of the sump, and therefore no air being sucked in at the intake. I've provided two pictures, the first being how it used to be, and the second of how it is now. My question is why this is happening when I haven't changed anything, and how I can fix it? Thanks for any comments.

Before:

Now:

 

[Casino]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6521720#post6521720 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Paladin
I need some help with my ES5-2. I've been running the skimmer now for over 6 months. The first few months it was working fine with no problems. Now I constantly hear a slurping sound because the intake of the skimmer pump is sucking in air. To alleviate this, I have to bleed back some water from the return pump so that the water level is higher in the skimmer side of the sump, and therefore no air being sucked in at the intake. I've provided two pictures, the first being how it used to be, and the second of how it is now. My question is why this is happening when I haven't changed anything, and how I can fix it? Thanks for any comments.

Before:

Now:

Why dont you just pour more water into the sump and maintaion your water level higher?

 

[Paladin]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6521779#post6521779 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CASINO
Why dont you just pour more water into the sump and maintaion your water level higher?

The water level on the right side (skimmer side) remains constant, while the water level on the left side (return side) lowers with evaporation. So adding more water doesn't help with the problem.

 

[rm41400]

What is the water level on the right side where the skimmer is? Is the skimmer pump pulling a vortex like when you drain a bathtub? Also what is the height of the baffle and the side walls of the sump?

 

[jeffbrig]

Sounds like you need a deeper sump / taller baffle.

 

[otterpop510]

hmm.. i'm sure someone could point me in the right direction or tell me any thoughts on difference in diameter versus height in skimmer ability? (thinking 5-3 versus 6-1.. posted question yesterday..) or why they bought one versus the other.. anybody?

 

[Dr]

I would go with the CS 6-1, has a larger collection cup. Dwell time is one of the keys in foam fractioning and how diameter versus height affects this I'm not sure. You may want to post this question in the ER sponsor thread.

 

[otterpop510]

cool, thanks dr, i'll try to post it up there too. anyone else want to chime in?

 

[blown]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6525467#post6525467 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by otterpop510
cool, thanks dr, i'll try to post it up there too. anyone else want to chime in?

I just put a used 6-1 on my 90 gallon tank. I couldnt be happier at this point.

Here is a pic after 1 hr of run time.

 

[jeffbrig]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6524805#post6524805 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by otterpop510
hmm.. i'm sure someone could point me in the right direction or tell me any thoughts on difference in diameter versus height in skimmer ability? (thinking 5-3 versus 6-1.. posted question yesterday..) or why they bought one versus the other.. anybody?

I used the VERY scientific method of finding the biggest footprint I could fit in my sump, then picked the tallest that would fit under my tank.

As far as diameter and height, I don't know that one is more important than the other - provided that your pump is doing a good job filling the chamber with bubbles and turning the water over. Volume is probably a better comparison, and bigger is almost always better.

 

[otterpop510]

blown, nice pic, i'm hoping to have an ER of my own in my sump at some point in time. =)

and yeah, jeffbrig, it makes sense that total volume is the best comparison, i just was wondering if i had to pick between 5" versus 6" diameter or 20" versus 24" height whether the 5-3 (taller/thinner) or 6-1 (fatter/shorter) if there was an obvious winner from your collective experiences..

 

[rm41400]

otter pop- I like the idea of the taller one the 6-1. I have two CS 8-2 on my 120 and they are both 24" tall. I would have gone with a taller one if it would fit under my stand. If I were you I would find some way to put an 8-2 under there though....Is it for a 75 gal? If so the 8-2 would be a better choice. Thats what one of the local reefers has on his 75 and its a really nice tank. I found both of mine used and in perfect condition of the for sale forum. $350.00 for one and $280.00 for the other.

 

[otterpop510]

wow rm, thats some great prices for 8-2, i guess never get too big or too much stuff.. i'll keep looking around, though i was hoping to keep my budget low.. well, you all know reef expenses.. craaaazzzzzyyyyyy....

 

[rm41400]

Yes u can get good prices on here. we are very fortunate to have this service. I have saved on all my gear probably $1500 by buying on the used forum. Just make sure they have a fair amount of posts and search their posts to see if they have sold before and the results of that sale.

Regarding the skimmer, well I was told many times when I was shopping for my skimmer "you cant have too big a skimmer". I think that is somewhat true. Go as big as your sump will allow. I thought only one CS 8-2 would be overkill. I also travel so it gives me peace of mind. GL

The gate valve mod is an absolute must for the ER skimmers. If you dont plan on doing it dont get one. At least that is my thought.

 

[otterpop510]

sorry for the newbie question, but what is a gate valve mod, do i do it myself, and what does it do exactly?..

 

[crab0000]

Yes, you do it yourself. You can either buy the kit from ER ($) or nuy the parts yourself. Here is a pic of all the parts included in the kit.

Here it isinstalled on my CS6-1 (overlook the nasty skimmer).

And here are my first weeks results on my ES8-2.

HTH
Steve

 

[Codeman00]

I thought the Tee had to be below the skimmer body neck for the skimmer level to be adjustable? Is that correct or not because that's not what the picture shows.

 

[rm41400]

A gate valve mod just gives you lots of adjustmant. If you dont have one I think the ER is very inconsistent. Once you get one and tinker with it a little you will see why the foam riser is annoying. I couldnt skim wet with my stock riser. Now I can skim wet or dry and it only takes a few small turns of the gate valve open or closed.

I did my second gate valve mod last night and I dont think it mattters too much where the t is. The higher the T the higher the bubbles will be in the skimmer with the gate valve fully open. So make sure that the bend in the T is NO higher than the lowest point you want the water at. I would not go higher than the above picture.

 

[otterpop510]

interesting, so the goal is to provide more control than the stock riser in terms of optimum skimming/foaming ability, right?