I-Tech Skimmer Club .

I just got an email from John regarding initial setup. He stated, "I put the foam level at the bottom on the cup and slowly make adjustments over time to get the consistency I'm after."

He also indicated that that his experience shows the skimmers don't need a vinegar bath and that in many cases they started producing pretty quickly. The only downer is that I probably won't be home when UPS tries to deliver :(

Chris
 
correct me if i am wrong, it looks like the I-Tech isn't plug-and-forget kind of skimmer or is that just the pump issue that you guys are having? i am not a DIY guy and i prefer a skimmer that work right out of the box.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14381766#post14381766 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dzhuo
correct me if i am wrong, it looks like the I-Tech isn't plug-and-forget kind of skimmer or is that just the pump issue that you guys are having? i am not a DIY guy and i prefer a skimmer that work right out of the box.
Click to expand...

Im not sure yet. I have to have my wedge pipe almost completely closed for the foam to get anywhere near the collection cup. With it completely open, it rests at only 9 inches from the bottom of the skimmer. If I continue to have the pipe almost closed just to get foam anywhere close to the cup, then that will really limit my skimming options as far as wet/dry go.

Let me make clear though, this is the first day I have had this skimmer, it could be just breaking in, maybe my DAS pump isnt working as well as it could, etc. Still figuring it out.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14381766#post14381766 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dzhuo
correct me if i am wrong, it looks like the I-Tech isn't plug-and-forget kind of skimmer or is that just the pump issue that you guys are having? i am not a DIY guy and i prefer a skimmer that work right out of the box.
Click to expand...

This is a function of the pump, not the skimmer. From all accounts, the skimmer works excellent (hopefully a few more of us will be able to reinforce that idea once we get ours up and running). Short of a pump with ciruitry that ensures it starts in the same direction every time, any skimmer can have this. For reference, the Aquabee pumps that are being discussed in particular are the same ones used on skimmers from Deltec, H&S, and others. These are all considered VERY plug-and-play mfgs.

Specific to your situation, think about the following: the cone design is a proven performer. Sicces (I think that's what you said you're getting on your skimmer) are also proven as far as skimmer pumps go. Yes you can do things with mesh, or pinwheels that can increase or decrease the reliability or output of the pumps, but overall, the two components you're looking at are fairly well proven in terms of track record. If you're getting a larger skimmer with the Laguna/Askoll pump, I understand they start the same direction each time, so scratch that worry off your list.

I've found John to be extremely fourthcomming in emails when I asked him questions. If you have concerns like the ones you're expressing here, I'd say give him a call or email and get the info from the horse's mouth.

Chris
 
yes John is pretty good (very good actually) in answering question and the I-Tech is definitely on the top of my list. I-Tech large is what i am looking at, yes :) i know the I-Tech performs well but the 2 things that are equally important to me is: noise and how easy it's to maintain the cone for the years to come.
 
Yes, I agree with Chris. The skimmer is built great. My problem with my foam if anything is my pump, not a faulty design on the skimmer. Its very easy to adjust, just turn the riser pipe to the left or right. There are little "dots" in the plastic to help you have a visual of where you normally like to run the skimmer. Very plug and play.

I just need to figure out about my foam height, mostly to see if it is my pump, or if its acting normally once more people are able to chime in.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14381884#post14381884 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mightymizz
Im not sure yet. I have to have my wedge pipe almost completely closed for the foam to get anywhere near the collection cup. With it completely open, it rests at only 9 inches from the bottom of the skimmer. If I continue to have the pipe almost closed just to get foam anywhere close to the cup, then that will really limit my skimming options as far as wet/dry go.

Let me make clear though, this is the first day I have had this skimmer, it could be just breaking in, maybe my DAS pump isnt working as well as it could, etc. Still figuring it out.
Click to expand...

I would give the skimmer a week or two to break in. I can get mine to skim very wet or very dry. Did you try unplugging and plugging it back in to see if it was running backwards?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14382077#post14382077 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Emster
I would give the skimmer a week or two to break in. I can get mine to skim very wet or very dry. Did you try unplugging and plugging it back in to see if it was running backwards?
Click to expand...

Yes, I tried that. It appears that my pump is working correctly. But I really dont have anything to compare it too. Thats why I keep mentioning that with the riser pipe in the completely open position, the top of my "foam" is only 9 inches from the bottom of the skimmer. It would still need to travel another good 9 or 10 inches to reach top of chamber to go into collection cup. I have the DAS/aquabee pump John recommends for this skimmer.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14382147#post14382147 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mightymizz
Yes, I tried that. It appears that my pump is working correctly. But I really dont have anything to compare it too. Thats why I keep mentioning that with the riser pipe in the completely open position, the top of my "foam" is only 9 inches from the bottom of the skimmer. It would still need to travel another good 9 or 10 inches to reach top of chamber to go into collection cup. I have the DAS/aquabee pump John recommends for this skimmer.
Click to expand...

9 inches from the bottom sounds about right. Thats where my water level is(where the bubbles start to come out of the water. Yes the bubbles will go very far up from there believe it or not, yours just needs to break in. Thats why I say the bubble action on this small is amazing because its almost like a volcano exploding with the bubbles being pushed up very fast into the cup.
 
4 th on the waiting list

4 th on the waiting list

i order mine i can wait so pick it up and see it ruuning i am 4th
on the waiting list i hope it comes soon.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14382315#post14382315 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mightymizz
Im gonna post some pictures once I figure out how to post them here.
Click to expand...

posting pictures is actually pretty easy so if you can't figure it out, let us know. i will make sure you can post them just so i can see your ITech in action :)
 
Ok, first attempt at posting a picture. Here is my skimmer and the foam height 9 inches from bottom of skimmer with the riser pipe completely open.

DSCF1725.jpg
 
Someone asked to post a picture of my DIY (cheap a$$) silencer.
Here it is.

152258DSC_0653-med.jpg


152258DSC_0654.jpg


Here's the skimmer in action for about 2 hours (after a 2 day break in in clean tank water).

152258DSC_0655.jpg


152258DSC_0660.jpg


I'm liking it and it is now dead silent.
 
sorry to ask again... is that small, medium or large? and what pump are you running? i like it being dead silent.
 
OK, so I thought there were only 4 "dots" that you could adjust the riser pipe between. To get the foam anywhere near the top I was having to turn it almost to the fourth one. I could not see that there were actually 5 dots, so I really have more room to spare before I completely block the riser pipe opening.
This makes me think that my skimmer (I was mostly concerned with my pump) and pump are working fine. As I have said earlier, there was never any doubt about the skimmer, I became curious once people mentioned their pumps firing up the wrong way which would have nothing to do with the quality of the skimmer.
Thanks again all for the input. I will post more pics once it breaks in!
 
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