More Skimmer Questions...

[jbrunken]

Now that I've got my new Skimmerv (DNW-200), I've got a few questions about how to best plumb it into the system.

It came with one simple instruction sheet that more or less describes how to assemble the skimmer, but it doesn't say much about how to hook it into the system.

I'm assuming that the way they want you to set it up is buy pumping water directly from your sump into the skimmer, but I'd rather have a portion of the water from my overflows get directed from to the skimmer and the other part to my sump. In other words, I'd like to avoid having to add yet another pump if I can help it.

Right now I the 1" pipes from my overflows are merging into a 1 1/4" pipe that runs to my sump. There is a 8' run of the 1 1/4" pipe that runs through the wall and into the sump (it has a very slight down-grade). My return pump is a QuietOne 4000 that I believe pushes about 800GPH after head loss. I just need to know how to do the final bit of plumbing from the pipe to the skimmer and sump.

Has anyone hooked thier skimmer up like this? Is it as simple as using a couple of ball valves to control how much of the water from the overflow goes to the skimmer and how much goes to the sump or is there something I'm overlooking?

Thanks

-JB

 

[Covey]

It's kind hard to describe so if Bob or someone else with a normal overflow feed could post a pic it would help.

Your goal is to make a steady bubble free pool of water to feed the skimmer from.

I think I remember you have Dursos in the overflow right?

They produce bubbles in the overflow water but I think most of that will be gassed in the 8' run of pipe you got so your cool there.

At some point after you got your return plumbing in your sump room you are going to need to plumb in a Tee. You want the straight shot going thru to the sump. Your going to want to have the part of the Tee going to the skimmer hanging down if possible add another section of 1 1/4" to allow some water to pool and degas. Add a ball valve below that and run clear flex tubing to the skimmer.


Basically again the goal is a bubble free steady feed.

 

[jbrunken]

Ok, I think I understand, but a picture would be great if someone could post one...

I got the skimmer all put together and I filled it up (about to the main water inlet) with water... However, I now have a couple of new problems...

1) The pump leaks like crazy from the big round piece with the o-ring that covers the needle wheel. I was able to solve this by wrapping it a few times in teflon tape, but silicon grease might do a better job I'm thinking.

2) The bubbles coming out of the pump are huge. I expected to see millions of little micro-bubbles like the ones in my current skimmer, but it's not even close to the same thing, nor does it look like any video I've seen of these skimmers in action.

I think something is not right with the needle wheel, but I have no idea what it could be...

-JB

 

[jbrunken]

I think my "bubble" problem might be caused by me using Freshwater to test rather than saltwater... Gonna try it again tonight with saltwater.

-JB

 

[glaspie69]

LOL you could do like Jeremy always does and dump a beer in your freshwater test

 

[rc1214b]

I would let it run for a while with freshwater and some vinegar to help get rid of manufacturing residue. It will cutdown on the time it takes to break in.

Also make sure the impellor cover that is leaking is on good, I noticed that they sometimes want to go on crooked.

 

[jbrunken]

Heh, it does seem to work a bit better with saltwater....