Questions with my ETSS Evolution Skimmer

T

theedudenator

New member
I have a used Evolution 500 skimmer

See my photo??

There are 2 small connections on top?
What do these do?

What are the balls for? Mine has no balls.
Should I buy some?
How much do blue balls cost?

What is the sponge on the bottom?
Mine does not have a sponge.

I plan on routing my overflow direct into the top.
I need to get rid of the 90° connection...

How high should the water level be?? Is that what the valve is for?
I plan on setting mine in the bottom of my 30gal sump

here is the MFG website
http://www.superskimmer.com/etss_evolution_500.htm

132358IMG_4715_EVO500_marked.jpg
 
The first ? on the top left is the air intake. The first ? on the top right you can put where the plug is on the collection cup so you can drain the skimmate into a seperate collection cyp. The second ? are bio-balls. You do need them to allow the air/wawater mixture to swirl which is how the skimmer is designed to work. The last ? is just an post filter. I didn't have one on mine, you dont need it. But you DO need bio-balls. Do a google search and get the mini bio-balls and pack it full with them. Good luck and research before your next buy!
 
You cant route your overflow to the top of the skimmer,You must feed the skimmer with a pressure pump.Sen 900,mag 12 or Iwaki 20.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7961697#post7961697 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by theedudenator
Yes I know....

See the photo of my actual skimmer.
I have a pump near the bottom.
This also has an airline attachment with airpump


132358sump-layout-side_marked_web.jpg
Click to expand...

NO YOU DON'T
listen to their advise. belive me, you dont no.:bum:
 
I have a bunch of bioballs sitting around. If you want some I'll sell them for cheap. Drop me a PM if interested.
 
Ken668 Just a note.To prevent problems down the road.
He's going to need the miniballs for this skimmer not the standard size.I THINK they're 1" diameter not 1.5".
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7964147#post7964147 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by theedudenator
What is the reason why I cannot route my overflow direct to the top of the skimmer?

I don't understand this...
Click to expand...

the water going into your skimmer has to be under pressure for your skimmer to work correctly that why you need the mag 7. now you can direct your overflow out put to the input area of your mag 7.

that skimmer does not use a air pump it work from flow under pressure and draws in air on its own. just hook it up and play with it. it will make more sence. it will wor with out the bioballs it may work better with bio balls but with enough pressure it will work good with them. Some model even work better without bioballs with more pressure. just try it out
 
You need a pump to drive this kind of skimmer, and it needs to be able to put a large amount of water through it under pressure (which is why overflow won't work).

So yes, you need that "side pump", but you can't use the tiny one you have sitting there.
 
If you go to the superskimmer website that you posted in your first post,you can go to the link and download the entire evo500 owners manual.That should make everthing clear.
 
Let me rephrase my last statement.

There is a small pump mounted on the side of the skimmer.
It is pushing water/air directly into the side of the skimmer
Do I need this pump?

I do have another larger pump 740g/h that I can run from my sump into the top of the skimmer
 
Let me rephrase my last statement.
Go to the website and download or read the manufacturers manual.Its an easy read and has nice pictures.
 
It looks like it has a recirculating pump mod. I would give it a try and see if it helps performance. Otherwise, you would just have to plug up the holes.
 
If you bought it directly from AE Tech there should have been 18-20 mini bio balls included in the box. If not then you can call AE Tech (845)838-9044 and request them.
 
Trust me this is not a recirculating skimmer. The top grey fitting is for water imput from the sump to the pump to the skimer. Generally it is an out of the sump skimmer. The bio balls allow surface area for the water to mix with the air. The air flow must not be plugged for the skimmer to work properly. There are two air fittings at the top that should not be plugged. If water is coming out of them it is turned up too high. The valve at the front empties into the sump but must be adjusted so the active water level in the central bio ball tube is about 2/3 up to the top.
I hope this helps
 
2nd sump design - pump into skimmer

2nd sump design - pump into skimmer

Here is my new layout...

I am not sure where to have the tank overflow going now.

I have the skimmer, tank overflow and skimmer pump all going into the same compartment.

This will run through a bubble trap to the refug area.
This will then run into another compartment for the return pump

Is this better?

132358sump_2_MARKED_WEB.jpg
 
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