Master Doc 9410 DC

[Rython]

I've had this skimmer for 2 weeks now and I can't figure out how to make it work. I've tried water level at 6, 7 and 9 inches, and set the pump everywhere from 20% to 100% and I can't get the bubbles to rise into the cup. I checked the manual and have a couple of questions:

1. The manual references a hose clamp, but my skimmer didn't come with one (DC 9410.001). Is this something I need?

2. The manual states that adjustment of the adapter ring can be used to make the foam wetter or dryer, but doesn't say how. Could my problem be that I have it set to too dry or too wet?

3. It also says the adapter should be set in a way that the phase water cannot enter the air passage. What is phase water, and what air passage is it talking about?

4. How do I know if the water level is too high and the anti-overfoaming system is operating (page 51)?

I only have one fish, 2 snails and a shrimp. It should still have started working after a few days right? That's how I read the page 49 failure.

Any assistance with troubleshooting would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Chance

 

[Rython]

Nevermind. It appears to be working now. I have no idea why, but i'm just going to hope it keep working.

 

[rvitko]

1) This is only for the AC model, the DC model is controller by the controller.

2) If the adapter ring is above the top of the pipe you effectively increase the stand pipe height and make wetter foam, the ring should generally be below the top of the pipe.

3) This related to the automatic anti over foaming. The chamber under the cup will fill if the adapter ring is raised or a surfactant additive is used or the water level is too deep, any condition that would cause a major cup foam over causes the water to rise in this chamber and the air intake then draws in water, effectively stopping or reducing skimming. As the situation improves, more and more air is drawn in until skimming can return to normal.

4) Anti Over foaming makes a lot of noise, I would just rely on that it does work if the air hoses are hooked up correctly but you could test it by adding any organic additive like dechlorinator or stress coat or a vitamin/amino supplement. If the pump is more than 3/4ths submerged, it is likely too deep, the optimum is to have the pump 1/2-3/4ths submerged. You will likely never run the pump at more than about 50% power.

 

[Rython]

Thanks for the response Roger. I think my problem was that I kept trying to get the bubbles to rise by turning the pump up, because I could see that when I did the bubbles rose slightly. It wasn't until I decided to just turn it way down and try again tomorrow that it started working. It took a while to kick in though, so that's why it hadn't worked on previous attempts.

Anyway, I have my osmolator set to maintain that water level now and the skimmer is producing good foam with the pump set to 30%. The adjustment ring still doesn't make a lick of sense to me, but I have it set at about a quarter inch below the top of the pipe. Any lower and the attachment is completely submerged.

Thanks again,
Chance

 

[rvitko]

By raising the ring above the pipe, you raise the water level inside the skimmer as the water has to get at least the height of the pipe to exit, it is basically damming the water level up inside. It sounds like everything is working right, usually to start the pump is 20-30% and you can slowly increase it as it removes more and usually it settles in at 40-50% speed being optimal.

 

[adtravels]

Interestingly Mine was set at 50% for about a month initially, then went crazy for a week where I had to drop the power to 30%. I have slowly brought it back to about 40%.

I am thinking that possibly the filter sock mesh got slowly clogged which caused the water level to rise in the sock housing effectively acting like the ring being raised.

anyway I really like the skimmer.

I may remove the filter sock entirely when I find a better way of holding the carbon.

 

[rvitko]

That could be, but I personally have never seen the sock clog to a degree it backed up water into the skimmer. My suspicion would be this was related to an additive or carbon dosing.