<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7303604#post7303604 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by UCanDoIt
In response to several PMs about water level and bubble breaking level, I thought it best that I copy in a previous post that I did about the same subject. Sorry about the Deltec photo as I own both and this was readily available.
<IMG SRC="http://usera.imagecave.com/winner/DeltecBubbleBreakLevel.jpg">
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7300811#post7300811 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by UCanDoIt
I have spent many many hours talking to the my Aquarium tech (who maintains all my tanks) about plumbing and he's tried it all, made his share of mistakes, and the way he has my tank set up works great.
There are 3 controls on the skimmer:
1. Input controlled by gravity feed from overflow with ball valve "or" a feed pump with the correct rate
2. Output controlled by wedgepipe at skimmer's exhaust drain
3. Air flow controlled by air clamp
To set your skimmer correctly (as I am told):
1. first you must be sure the water flow through rate is matched to your skimmer. most of the time, for gravity feed, one would need to tailor the rate back by ball valve in control #1 as the water turnover rate on your system is usually much stronger than your skimmer can handle. if not tailored back to the correct flow through rate, there will be too much turbulance within the skimmer and performance will be greatly affected. or you can feed skimmer with a correctly rated pump or powerhead
2. next, with the water flow through rate adjusted correctly, the water level within the skimmer must be at the right level for the skimmer to perform optimally. water level should start right at the bottom edge of the bayonet connection between the collection cup and skimmer body. if the water level is too low, tailor back the outflow from the skimmer drain with the wedgepipe and it will raise the water level within the skimmer body. again, use the wedgepipe on the output, which is control #2, and be sure the drain does not terminate underwater in the sump. if the exhaust terminates underwater, the skimmer does not function well for H&S skimmers. on my setup, I have a 90 elbow that directs the water down into the sump, but the end of the pipe is about 1/2" above the sump water level. to quiet & reduce splashing, you can put a 45 elbow at the end of the drain pipe
3. tighten the air clamp for maximum foaming with control #3. on both my Deltec and H&S skimmers, it is tailored back approximately 1/4 - 1/3 which gives me the finest bubbles and good foaming head. on some skimmers, a fully open air tube could possibly be your best performance as every skimmer is different
once your skimmer is broken in and foaming, adjust wedgepipe to raise the water and bubble breaking level for wetter skimming and lower for drier skimming. HTH:rollface:
