Looking into upgrading skimmer

Looks great!!! Although I just got an email from John stating the Vinegar bath will cause reduced bubble production for a few days and he recommend rinsing with clean water. He saw my post and emailed to help AFTER HOURS. I had not even contacted him...First impression: AWESOME
 
I am going to be getting one of these asaicai (as soon as I can afford it). I haven't decided on the 200 or the 100. I think the 100 will probably do well for my setup seeing how emster is running one with a tank packed full of corals. I definitely want the Tunze pump though.

I can't believe you didn't post pics Andy! we want to see!!!!!!!!!!
 
I am getting to them.

I would not hold my breath for the Tunze. May be awhile, and I am not sure you are gaining a whole lot with it. I Can't go into detail here at all, but I can tell you that I-tech is still evaluating. They had good things to say, but judging from the output I get with the Sicce, it is more than enough flow. The thing has been on a few hours and I am already dialled way down yet getting very good bubble production. I only hope it does not overflow during the night.

Here are 2 pics just as I put it in the sump and turned it on and dialed all the way down. Better ones later after it starts producing.

211979DSC_0052.JPG


211979DSC_0053.JPG
 
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Not sure yet... I didn't hear from them today. :( I'm going to probably give them a call tomorrow, though. :)

But rest assured I'll have much better chances of getting a Sicce if I do get that job... and I WILL find a way to make it happen. :D

Brandon
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14907920#post14907920 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by poolkeeper1
What are your first Impressions? How Is the build quality and overall how's It look?

Bill,

After handling it a bit I have to say it is constructed very well. Solid. The collection cup is slid into a O-ring on the neck and offers a very tight and sturdy seal. I really had to press to get it in, and you feel it when it is installed.

The only thing I could say that would be a potential improvement is that it does not have any type of hole or bung to run a line for an additional collection container. Not a big deal, would have been nice when I was adjusting it and overflowed the cup! I had to take the cup off to empty it then :-)
 
If that Is the only Issue, That Is easy to drill and tap a drain plug Into the collection cup for extra nog!! Looks nice.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14911110#post14911110 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by poolkeeper1
If that Is the only Issue, That Is easy to drill and tap a drain plug Into the collection cup for extra nog!! Looks nice.

Yep, I agree. Not really a big deal at all..just a "nice to have" feature.

Now I await arrival of my Vortech's today. They are out for delivery as of 7:20 am this morning.
 
I'm waiting by your house right now and havn't seen UPS yet!! I think everything looks good for the RK Elite to be ordered on the 13th, And possibly the Tunze 7096 at the same time although I played with my 7095 and got a nice swaying back and forth with what I already have, really don't want the wave per say due to my overflows. Also will need that ORP probe from BRS to be ordered. Guess thats all for now so have fun when they get there!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14912734#post14912734 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by poolkeeper1
I'm waiting by your house right now and havn't seen UPS yet!! I think everything looks good for the RK Elite to be ordered on the 13th, And possibly the Tunze 7096 at the same time although I played with my 7095 and got a nice swaying back and forth with what I already have, really don't want the wave per say due to my overflows. Also will need that ORP probe from BRS to be ordered. Guess thats all for now so have fun when they get there!

Hahaha Bill. UPS been here and gone..It's Fedex we are waiting on :-)

I am at home anyway, so if your here then KNOCK :-)
 
Well, the vortechs came in and what a decent deal I got. They has never been opened. Not even the security tape over the box tab had been cracked. The guy had bought 5, and ended up using 3.

I set them up, aligned them as instructions outlined carefully and very litle noise. I anticipate them being dead silent in a few days. I cannot hear them over my hood fans at all, but when I listen closely I can hear just a little wind up at high power. Nothing remarkable or even to think about.

I can see when people do not take the time to align them right how the could be noisy, but just making sure I hit center of the magnetic pull worked very well. I also made sure the adjustment for tank glass was set properly. That would make a difference too I think.

And yes, they do move some water. I have the random reef program going and everything has swelled and come out even more than it was. Happy happy tank!

Now I am off to MVLK's for a little bit to see if we cannot work out his PH. His test go off the charts, so I am bringing my meter.
 
I need to invite my self over sometime soon ;) to check your setup out and by some frags. Thx again for verifying my parameters. Is a big relief to know everything is actually doing fine. I will sleep a little better tonight.
 
Sure Michael, you are more than welcome and my wife would like to meet you as well. It just seems every time I am coming over it is when she is working lol.

My setup is a bit more messy than yours though hehe.
 
Seems like every time you come over the house is in chaos. Wait, three young kids, that is normal... never mind. :) I'll coordinate a time with you soon. Want to check all the new toys out and pick up a frag or two.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14916244#post14916244 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by CeeGee
I want to stop by some time soon as well and check out the tank and all the new gadgets!


Your welcome too as well Chris, and anyone else. Just call me or PM me and set it up :-)

May 9-16 is bad as I have relatives visitng, but anytime before is great.
 
UPDATE:

Ok, it is now day 3 and the last of the vinegar slowdown in the skimmer is washing away. This thing is producing LOTS of foam and has already pulled out some good dark gunk. I am trying to run for very dry and what has come out is almost black.

On the Vortech front, I am experiencing some noise on one of the heads. ALLOT of noise. I took a quick video of it and sent it to support. It has a bad bearing and they are sending out a replacement under warranty. Be here Monday. Man that's good customer service. The other unit is very quiet, and I get no real discernible noise from it whatsoever.
 
Last update.

The skimmer is producing awesome output and foam, I am really loving it.

As for the MP40w, it turns out after talking to support I had a defective unit with a bad bearing. 2 days later a new one showed up at my door. 5 minutes for swap out and no noise with great output. Excellent water movement without blasting the tank with pressure.
 
After seeing the MP40w's run on your tank, there is no doubt in my mind what direction I will go when I upgrade. They are pretty slick in design and function.
 
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