Is this normal for an AquaC
- Thread starter Dave A
- Start date
Omar H
New member
More on the EV 180...I just took off the blue air valve and it was so dirty! Almost close to being closed by the dirt. It's amazing but when I took it off and left the skimmer running w/o it, it immediately improved in the sense that the choking of the injector immediately was corrected. When I put back the now clean valve, it continued to work fine in terms of not choking the injector. Now knowing how this skimmer is sensitive to ANY minor changes, I will have to wait to see how it improves with the clean air valve. So I guess we need to emphasize checking the air valve to make sure its clean, Specially if you're having problems wiht injector being choked (or water coming upwards on the mixing tube), check those air valves!
Dave A, I know that you've done this already, and by follwing the thread, I think AquaC has already lost you (despite Jason excellent customer service). Unfortunately, no amount of customer service can make forget a product that just doesn't deliver.
Regards,
Omar
Dave A, I know that you've done this already, and by follwing the thread, I think AquaC has already lost you (despite Jason excellent customer service). Unfortunately, no amount of customer service can make forget a product that just doesn't deliver.
Regards,
Omar
Vincerama2
Active member
Here is my EV-120 after 20 hours
Here is my EV-120 after 20 hours
OK, I know this will drive Dave A crazy, but here is a picture of my AquaC EV-120 after running for 20 hours. I'm running a Mag5 and my tank is a 10g nano with a 10g sump. The tank has been skimmerless for a week due to pump failure of my Prizm.
I had it adjusted so the water level was 1/2" below the "platform" and there was no foam in the column last night (I installed it at about 1AM) and this morning (7AM) there was some foam in the column at about the level of the bottom of the collection cup.
The skimmer has the John Guest fitting, but I have it plugged for now. The air valve is open fully, though I rotated it so I could get the input line in the direction of my sump.
V
Here is my EV-120 after 20 hours
OK, I know this will drive Dave A crazy, but here is a picture of my AquaC EV-120 after running for 20 hours. I'm running a Mag5 and my tank is a 10g nano with a 10g sump. The tank has been skimmerless for a week due to pump failure of my Prizm.
I had it adjusted so the water level was 1/2" below the "platform" and there was no foam in the column last night (I installed it at about 1AM) and this morning (7AM) there was some foam in the column at about the level of the bottom of the collection cup.
The skimmer has the John Guest fitting, but I have it plugged for now. The air valve is open fully, though I rotated it so I could get the input line in the direction of my sump.
V
Dave A
New member
Omar H said:
Hi Omar, I agree that AquaC has probably lost me as a customer. Since the answer to my problem has not been found I guess it can be said that it may be the skimmer or it may be user, which of course is me. For this reason I don't think I will be badmouthing AquaC anytime in the future. I know they are one of the best skimmers available with outstanding customer service and I still think they are well worth buying for 99.9% of people.
I checked my air valve on several occasions and it seemed fine. I wonder if I should run it for awhile with the air valve out, can't hurt, just a little noisy.
Hey Vince, it won't drive me crazy, I'm already nuts:hmm4: Your skimmer seems to be working great. Should have that 10gal. in good shape in no time.
I was never really able to get my water level much below the internal platform, even with an inline ball valve. I found it hard to tell just where that internal water level was at. Even with a flashlight.
Dave
H@rry
In Memoriam
Have you tried running it with the water a little above the internal platform and not touching it or the pump, no feeding, and don't put your hands in the water for 24 hours? Is it in a place where it could be influenced by cooking or smoking in your house? Mine would shut down whenever we cooked until I ran an air line out the window.
I don't understand why you can't get even a wet foam. What happens when you shut the outlet valve almost closed? Seems like it should be flooding the collection cup.
I don't understand why you can't get even a wet foam. What happens when you shut the outlet valve almost closed? Seems like it should be flooding the collection cup.
Vincerama2
Active member
Having seen my skimmer in action, and having read most of the posts in this thread. (And I know Dave doesn't care anymore but...) I can make these conclusions about the skimmer;
1) It works by injecting (like a car's fuel injection system) water through a jet, which look just like a pinched piece of pipe. The jet is positioned in a tube and the tube is not sealed, so that as the jet shoots water through the tube (without hitting the sides) it pulls air down with it. Imagine aiming your showerhead at your tub with some water already in it.... you get foam!
2) If the jet/injector/nozzle is shooting water too close to the waters surface, you will not get much foam (like submerging the shower head into the water in the tub)
3) If the jet/injector/nozzle is faulty, you won't get foam. Try taking the "aerator" off your kitchen faucet and you will see that the water is laminar or "smooth. Or like a garden hose with and without you putting your thumb over the opening.
4) Dave mentioned that he couldn't get the water level (which is INCREDIBLY hard to see in the skimmer, even with a flashlight!) low enough, even with a ball valve. The injector itself provides a lot of resistance, maybe a ball valve slows the water too much for the injector, and yet the injector is not jetting enough pressure?
OK, so I'd guess you have a faulty injector OR you need to raise the skimmer up a bit (if the gate valve is submerged, it won't work.
However, Dave is fed up...so my suggestion is for him to ask AquaC for his money back and send them the skimmer so that they can do some product quality control evaluation/debugging on his skimmer. If they were cool and wanted a last ditch effort to make him happy, they should send him a new skimmer. They should pay for shipping, of course! Of course by now his Euroreef is probably cleaning up after the EV-120 ...
V
1) It works by injecting (like a car's fuel injection system) water through a jet, which look just like a pinched piece of pipe. The jet is positioned in a tube and the tube is not sealed, so that as the jet shoots water through the tube (without hitting the sides) it pulls air down with it. Imagine aiming your showerhead at your tub with some water already in it.... you get foam!
2) If the jet/injector/nozzle is shooting water too close to the waters surface, you will not get much foam (like submerging the shower head into the water in the tub)
3) If the jet/injector/nozzle is faulty, you won't get foam. Try taking the "aerator" off your kitchen faucet and you will see that the water is laminar or "smooth. Or like a garden hose with and without you putting your thumb over the opening.
4) Dave mentioned that he couldn't get the water level (which is INCREDIBLY hard to see in the skimmer, even with a flashlight!) low enough, even with a ball valve. The injector itself provides a lot of resistance, maybe a ball valve slows the water too much for the injector, and yet the injector is not jetting enough pressure?
OK, so I'd guess you have a faulty injector OR you need to raise the skimmer up a bit (if the gate valve is submerged, it won't work.
However, Dave is fed up...so my suggestion is for him to ask AquaC for his money back and send them the skimmer so that they can do some product quality control evaluation/debugging on his skimmer. If they were cool and wanted a last ditch effort to make him happy, they should send him a new skimmer. They should pay for shipping, of course! Of course by now his Euroreef is probably cleaning up after the EV-120 ...
V
Dave A
New member
harryehooper said:
Hi harryehooper, actually I did read the thread you had going with your problems and final fix you found.
I can close the gate valve up to about 3 turns which pushes the white turbulent water about 3/4 the way up the clear riser tube. Anything beyond that and the injector gets chocked off and the water turns clear. I've tried many different settings while letting it sit untouched for a day or so with no luck. There's no smoking aloud in my house and the skimmer is downstairs.
I really do think that every possible combination of settings has been tried. When the new injector arrives it will be my last try at getting it going.
Thanks,
Dave
Dave A
New member
Hey Vince, I agree with everything you said, especially #4. But you bring me to another question. Is there suppose to be a clear tube between the internal platform and the inside top of the skimmer box where the injector is? And if so is it hard to see? Because I don't see one in mine.
Also, although I'm frustrated I'm still quite happy with how AquaC and Jason has handled this. He has promised to do anything I want to make me happy. Even a full refund.
Dave
Also, although I'm frustrated I'm still quite happy with how AquaC and Jason has handled this. He has promised to do anything I want to make me happy. Even a full refund.
Dave
H@rry
In Memoriam
Are all these statements true?
1. I have adjusted the gate valve and air valve until I have turbulent water in the mixing chamber.
AND
2. For 24 hours I have not touched the skimmer or the pump.
AND
3. For 24 hours I have not fed anything to the tank.
AND
4. For 24 hours I have not put my hands in the tank or the sump water (not even my pinky finger).
AND
5. For 24 hours I have not put ANY additive in the water.
One of the pictures you posted showed foamy water in the mixing chamber that looked just like mine did the first day I set it up. In a few hours I noticed that a little bit of foam was trying to stick to the wall of the chamber farthest from the injector. In another couple of hours I had a foam layer on top of the turbulent water. Sometime that night it started putting foam in the collection cup.
Your problem is starting to frustrate me! I think that every day now I'm gonna see that you finally got it to work. Whew!!
1. I have adjusted the gate valve and air valve until I have turbulent water in the mixing chamber.
AND
2. For 24 hours I have not touched the skimmer or the pump.
AND
3. For 24 hours I have not fed anything to the tank.
AND
4. For 24 hours I have not put my hands in the tank or the sump water (not even my pinky finger).
AND
5. For 24 hours I have not put ANY additive in the water.
One of the pictures you posted showed foamy water in the mixing chamber that looked just like mine did the first day I set it up. In a few hours I noticed that a little bit of foam was trying to stick to the wall of the chamber farthest from the injector. In another couple of hours I had a foam layer on top of the turbulent water. Sometime that night it started putting foam in the collection cup.
Your problem is starting to frustrate me! I think that every day now I'm gonna see that you finally got it to work. Whew!!
Dave A
New member
harryehooper.............although at this point my mind is somewhat foggy with all the various different settings I have tried over the last 5+ weeks I would have to answer yes to all your points.
I've had that little bit of foam trying to stick to the side of the lift tube at the side furthest from the injector. But it stays as just that, a little bit of foam with no where to go.
Dave
I've had that little bit of foam trying to stick to the side of the lift tube at the side furthest from the injector. But it stays as just that, a little bit of foam with no where to go.
Dave
Vincerama2
Active member
There is no tube from the platform to the top of the skimmer housing, the tube extends from the platform and then down.
I think the problem is that the water level it too high, but if running the skimmer with the gate all the way open (and the output is NOT under the water level of your sump) then there is no other way get the water level down in the skimmer. The idea is to get foam of anysort and you can't do that if the water level is too high.
V
I think the problem is that the water level it too high, but if running the skimmer with the gate all the way open (and the output is NOT under the water level of your sump) then there is no other way get the water level down in the skimmer. The idea is to get foam of anysort and you can't do that if the water level is too high.
V
I really wanted to get my EV-120 jump started when I got it. I remembered that whenever I fed my tank some Kent Microvert, my old CPR skimmer would go absolutely nuts.
So I put some in. That day, the skimmer started producing foam. It seemed to break it in very quickly. It has been doing well ever since then.
However, I don't get the copious amounts of skimmate that others mention. I will fill a 1/2 gallon container in 3 weeks or so, and a bit of that is water that evaporated in the skimmer and condensed in the hose. My bioload is really low, though. I have only had 4 fish in the 46 gallon tank for ages. And I have a bunch of live rock, with a refugium, and a deep sand bed in both the tank and refugium.
So I put some in. That day, the skimmer started producing foam. It seemed to break it in very quickly. It has been doing well ever since then.
However, I don't get the copious amounts of skimmate that others mention. I will fill a 1/2 gallon container in 3 weeks or so, and a bit of that is water that evaporated in the skimmer and condensed in the hose. My bioload is really low, though. I have only had 4 fish in the 46 gallon tank for ages. And I have a bunch of live rock, with a refugium, and a deep sand bed in both the tank and refugium.
I found by replacing the recommended pump mag5 with a mag3, there's a hell of a difference. with the mag5, I was emptying the collection cup every other day with yellowish/green water. after replacing the pump with the mag3, I get a black slug and black thick water. The box is still completely full of bubbles. My guess is the higher curculation rate causes too much turbulence and blows the water up thru the riser and into the cup.
I have also seen someone build a riser to extend the bubble tube, but reduced water flow worked for me.
I snapped a few pictures, but couldn't get one small enough size to be able to post here.
aaron
I have also seen someone build a riser to extend the bubble tube, but reduced water flow worked for me.
I snapped a few pictures, but couldn't get one small enough size to be able to post here.
aaron
RustySnail
New member
After reading this entire thread; I tend to agree with atrain also. You might just be making too much waterflow through it. The rate of water flow not only effects the contact time of bubbles with the water, but it also effects the bubble size that the injector produces.
I see another problem. DryRot's mag5 is not placed in a location where it gets water directly from the tank's overflow. The way the skimmer's output and it's input is placed may cause too much re-circulation of water throught the pump. I have my ev-180 attached to a tee at the sump's input. This way it only sees water that has come directly from the tank. The rest of the inflow spills out of the other side of the tee.
I have an old EV-120 (no air valve). It seems to be a fair bit harder to adjust than the EV-180 because the flow through the box is so high. Seems to me like if you 'overdrive' this skimmer it would be near impossible to get adjusted properly.
But I will also say that a Mag9.5 on my EV-180 is a great deal better than the Dolphin DP-700.
-Russ
I see another problem. DryRot's mag5 is not placed in a location where it gets water directly from the tank's overflow. The way the skimmer's output and it's input is placed may cause too much re-circulation of water throught the pump. I have my ev-180 attached to a tee at the sump's input. This way it only sees water that has come directly from the tank. The rest of the inflow spills out of the other side of the tee.
I have an old EV-120 (no air valve). It seems to be a fair bit harder to adjust than the EV-180 because the flow through the box is so high. Seems to me like if you 'overdrive' this skimmer it would be near impossible to get adjusted properly.
But I will also say that a Mag9.5 on my EV-180 is a great deal better than the Dolphin DP-700.
-Russ
RustySnail
New member
You could try throttling down the pump flow to test, and closing down the air intake a bit; restricting airflow seems to make finer bubbles on the beckett style skimmers.
Remember, he just removed a 90 elbow from the pump suplying his skimmer. It might be worth a try, but I don't think that is the culprit. I've found the Dolphin 560 to not work well with my EV-120 and I think the reason is less output from the pump. There is a fairly narrow range of tolerance for overall flow rate with these, so emperical testing is probably the only trustworthy approach here.
-Ron
-Ron
