MTC skimmer club!

[jason2459]

It does look like that screw is rusting so probably best to remove or replace if submerged underwater.

 

[goreef170]

Hey Jason, Forgot to ask you...where do you keep your water line and foam line in the skimmer ?

Mine has been running for 3 days now and its starting to produce some nice dark skimmate. Thinking about tweeking the water level up a little to try and get a little more. I have mine set at top of cylinder at grey housing, maybe slightly higher into the housing...

 

[jason2459]

My runs right about where the flange is. You'll want to tweak it higher or lower for your setup. But right around there is a good start. Make small adjustments and I'd wait 24 hours at least with each adjustment to see where it settles.

 

[jason2459]

Some new numbers with the 784 mazzei running at full speed in around 15" of water. Definitely still a lot of flow and tons of microbubbles exiting the skimmer.

Not a good setup if you don't have a good bubble trap setup. On my previous trigger system sump there wasn't a triple baffle and the microbubbles went through. On my new sump with triple baffles and the fact they are so tall and my skimmer section single baffle that forces them all to the surface and the triple baffles draws from the bottom initially those microbubbles do not come close to making it to my return pump.

Air draw: ~24scfh
Watts used: 146watts

https://youtu.be/zpTaQfI3MeY

Before with running in around 7-8" of water.
Waveline DC 12000 @ Level 11 w/ 784 mazzei
Air draw: ~26scfh
Max head height: 22.96'
Watts: rated: 150watts (w/ adapter) 139watts (after adapter) actual: 150wattts (w/ adapter)

 

[goreef170]

thanks for the info Jason ! Aways useful :beer:

 

[jason2459]

FWIW, I replaced the skinny black tubing to my dual mazzei a while back. A threaded 1/2x3/8 bushing screws onto the mazzei to make it water tight for we externals. Removed the grey washers and used 1/2" tubing. Definitely more air, and noisier. Not sure it works any better though.

This was perfect! Thanks again. I got in just that and installed. Perfect fit. I'm more worried the tube will fall off some how as it's not a super tight fit by any means and only a little nub its on. Definitely much louder.

 

[jason2459]

I swapped back in the stock 684 mazzei venturi. The 784 pulls more air but also the flow I feel is to much. If I had a taller skimmer I think it would be a lot better. I can see the foam on top moving around quite a bit more with the 784 vs being a lot steadier with the 684. But it's not a huge difference in air draw, just a couple scfh of air, but the difference in flow is enough to keep the foam up top more consistent using the 684. I still need to get the dual mazzei venturi going.

 

[goreef170]

Hey Jason,

I just raised the pump up about 3 ". It now is sitting in about 7" water. Will let you know if i notice any difference in performance....

 

[jason2459]

Hey Jason,

I just raised the pump up about 3 ". It now is sitting in about 7" water. Will let you know if i notice any difference in performance....

Nice, give it some time and slowly dial in that gate valve.

Pictures would be cool and even better video if possible [emoji4]

 

[jason2459]

And is the container you're draining the collection cup to is it vented to allow the air to get pushed through?

 

[goreef170]

Nice, give it some time and slowly dial in that gate valve.

Pictures would be cool and even better video if possible [emoji4]

Here are a few pics, not the best quality. Haven't figured out how to send video, say file to large...

 

[goreef170]

Here are a few pics, not the best quality. Haven't figured out how to send video, say file to large...

 

[goreef170]

Trying to figure this out, please bare with me...

 

[ca1ore]

Been having issues with one of the venturi's on my skimmer. Pulled it apart and there was a bristle worm stuck in the air intake. How the heck does a bristle worm get into the airline? I'm baffled.

 

[jason2459]

Thanks. Looks good. Are those fine bubbles in the neck or frothy foam? If fine bubbles I'd ever so slightly open the gate valve a very tiny amount.

Looks like that collection jug is open to allow the air out?

 

[jason2459]

Been having issues with one of the venturi's on my skimmer. Pulled it apart and there was a bristle worm stuck in the air intake. How the heck does a bristle worm get into the airline? I'm baffled.

lol

I think it was in the lifereef thread that someone had a tiny snail get jammed up into the venturi. I think it happened twice now.

 

[goreef170]

Thanks. Looks good. Are those fine bubbles in the neck or frothy foam? If fine bubbles I'd ever so slightly open the gate valve a very tiny amount.

Looks like that collection jug is open to allow the air out?

Yes its open,,,correct ?

Frothy foam , so I just tried closing the valve a tiny bit...

 

[jason2459]

Yes its open,,,correct ?

Frothy foam , so I just tried closing the valve a tiny bit...

You want the frothy foam.

Yes, it needs to vent or it will put back pressure on the foam head.

 

[goreef170]

You want the frothy foam.

Yes, it needs to vent or it will put back pressure on the foam head.

Got it, starting to figure this thing out :wavehand:

 

[jason2459]

Got it, starting to figure this thin out :wavehand:

Another thing I thought of looking at those pictures. Is that tube all the way to the bottom of that jug? If so, when it starts filling up the tube will be under the skimmate which again will cause back pressure as it has to then force the air through and will get bubbles coming up. That would cause the foam head to go up and down and be effected.