MRC Club

[vapor1]

I think alot of this has to do with the barometric pressure. I notice a big change in my skimmer anytime there is a storm in the area.Ater the storm has passed, the skimmer goes back to normal.

 

[RGibson]

Hop i get my air for the skimmer from the out side makes a big different

 

[Hop]

Hmmm. Outside seems good. And living in NC I'm sure you are no stranger to 100 plus degree days. Any negative impacts from that kind of heat? My other option is from the crawlspace which stays about 65 year round...

 

[trueblackpercula]

Is this normal ? I started it up on friday when i added the live rock. how many turns on the air valve? the more open the smalled the bubbles or is it the oppesite way.
Thannks.

Here is a close up of what is going on.

 

[cweder]

The beauty of this skimmer is you get to decide and find out what works best for you, ie. running it wet or very dry depending on your preference. From the pic it looks like your water level is low, for me at least. This will cause the foam to dry out more before getting to the collection cup and cause the first and second rising chamber to turn brown and require more frequent cleaning. Running the air valve more open will allow more air in usually producing wetter foam and potentially too large and less stable bubbles depending on the water level kept on the skimmer. I have found using 100% cotton in the silencer works much better than the synthetic filter floss you can buy. The amount of cotton used also influences the amount of air allowed in and can therefore effect your bubble consistency. In the end it appears yours is working well, just a bit too dry. Mine takes 2 hours to fully recover from feedings so be careful not to adjust the water level too soon after feeding or putting your hands in the tank.

 

[trueblackpercula]

how many inches above the balck box should the water level be before i open the air valve?

 

[RGibson]

Hop there is no down side to out side air good side is higher ph
trueblackpercula your water level is to low in your skimmer,bring it up to the low side of the union.

 

[cweder]

There is no exact level. Andy gives you a guide to get you started. There are simply too many variables to give an exact answer. You have to fine tune it based on your system. Looks like you need to close the gate valve after the skimmer a bit to raise the level a few inches from where you are in your picture.
The gate valve is mandatory and just the slightest adjustment can make a big difference.

 

[RGibson]

The flange and the union cause turbulence inside the skimmer,having the water level just under the union helps with the output of the skimmer.

 

[sellout007]

I knew this pump was huge, but damn is this big!!!

Here is a comparision with the Sequence Wahoo pump and a PCX-40.

This pump is SILENT!. Impossible to hear. Unreal. I alreeady noticed it produces a ton more bubbles. Now I just gotta get a riser and add a second injector.


Here is a picture of the skimmer just after I plumbed it up.

 

[RGibson]

If you put the beckett down lower on top of the box it will help a great deal with the output of the skimmer.

 

[trueblackpercula]

Thanks that helped.

 

[Hop]

Well I relocated my intake and then my pump died again. Took it apart, cleaned it up and got it back on. I'll let you know how the fresh air works for the intake. Otherwise I think I'll be buying a new pump this week

 

[cweder]

Looks good trueblackpercula.

???Who knows what size the collection cup drain hole is? I thought it was 1/2 inch. I bought a new one and found out the old one is not that secure either. Maybe its 5/8's inch. Anyone know for sure? Thanks.

 

[cweder]

Anyone try this? I replaced the air contol valve with a 1/4 inch brass one from Home Depot, couldnt find a plastic one. I still use the end cap with the hole drilled in it for cotton. I find I get more air, more foam and it is quieter. I can control the air, noise and foam by how much cotton is used. Works for mine anyway.

 

[wrassie86]

If any of you MR1 owners out there using a PCX40 to drive your skimmer and are having a hard time tuneing. try raising your beckett abit.I raised mine so the top of the beckett lid is just above the collection cup.
I have never been able to get my MR1 to skim consitant for nothing.adjusting every day to keep it going.Now i added the riser and i have not had to touch it for the last 3 days.each day i have gotten 2 liters of dark green skimmate.witch is a big change.

The Ironic thing is since this skimmer has never seemed to work well I found a deal on a PM bullet 3 and jumped on it,And the MR1 works perfect.

 

[RGibson]

If you have just one beckett in your skimmer it makes no different if it is a MR1 MR2 MR3 you need a Iwaki MD55RLT pump or a pump like it to make a beckett run right .Get the right pump to start with and you will get the out put you want.

 

[wrassie86]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7454878#post7454878 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RGibson
If you have just one beckett in your skimmer it makes no different if it is a MR1 MR2 MR3 you need a Iwaki MD55RLT pump or a pump like it to make a beckett run right .Get the right pump to start with and you will get the out put you want.

The PCX 40 has basicly the same rating as a Iwaki MD55RLT,except the PCX flows 100gph more an hr.and uses less power.

The problem was is the skimmer was always way to turbulent.to make a good foam head, adding the riser smoothed things out.I think that the skimmer would be well served with the pcx 30 or 40 rlt as the mixing box is just to small for those pumps.
There is a pretty big size difference between the MR1 and MR2.

 

[RGibson]

Rob try this with your skimmer take the lid off the cup and run it while you are in the same room with and see if the out put comes up if so write a reply hear and i will tell you what to do to fix it.

 

[wrassie86]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7455010#post7455010 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RGibson
Rob try this with your skimmer take the lid off the cup and run it while you are in the same room with and see if the out put comes up if so write a reply hear and i will tell you what to do to fix it.

Yes,the out put does come up.i've ran it with the lid proped many times.Ive had the skimmer for close to a year.