Reef Dynamics 180E problem

[FishN00b83]

So I was playing wih my skimmer tonight and I realized if I turn the adjustment tube half way, bubbles shoot up to the top. Idk if cleaning everything out worked or if I just needed to tune it after the initial gunk was gone, but it seems to be able to produce bubbles. I guess I just need to figure out how to tune this thing to be it to work?

 

[sirreal63]

Is the wedge pipe open all the way or closed? It looks like you need to close off the wedge pipe and allow the foam level in the skimmer to rise, I would clean the skim off it first.

So I was playing wih my skimmer tonight and I realized if I turn the adjustment tube half way, bubbles shoot up to the top. Idk if cleaning everything out worked or if I just needed to tune it after the initial gunk was gone, but it seems to be able to produce bubbles. I guess I just need to figure out how to tune this thing to be it to work?

I apologize for not doing a better job of explaining how the wedge pipe works, but it looks like you figured it out.

 

[FishN00b83]

I apologize for not doing a better job of explaining how the wedge pipe works, but it looks like you figured it out.

I didn't really know what you were talking about. I don't have anyone I talk to that's into saltwater, so I need to figure all this stuff out myself, or ask questions on forums. I guess I just need to figure out how to tune this thing in. I really appreciate all the help. These forums have really helped me out so far. Thank you everyone!

 

[sirreal63]

Keep asking questions, we will all try to help, if you don't understand something it's ok to say so.

What area are you in? Finding a local reef club is a very valuable thing.

 

[FishN00b83]

I'm in Suffolk Long Island

 

[viggen]

Yea.... From the looks of the video it does look like your water level is way to low. For my old euro reef 12-2 I always needed the water level at or above the seam for the body and top of the skimmer. If the water level was at or below that seam either no skimmate was formed and or the sludge collected on the top of the body or the neck, just like your video showed.

I think with your light load the skimmer just doesn't have very much stuff to clean. Twist the pipe where the water comes out of the skimmer and slowly raise the water level. Maybe 1/4 in at a time and leave it site for a bit to minimize the chance of the skimmer overflowing.

You can also see in your video that the bubbles aren't even half way down the body of the skimmer. Jeff did a video on this and he showed how quickly the bubbles drop when skimmate is added to a tank. Within seconds the bubbles dropped several inches lower.

Yes of coarse there are better skimmers out there but he still does make excellent stuff. I think its just in the fine tuning to get the skimmer working as you expect. With a light load there won't be much for it to pull out

 

[sirreal63]

Look in this section, there are some in your backyard that are awesome.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=534

I encourage you to ask questions here and research here, but having a local club to be a part of is a fantastic thing, you will make friends who share the hobby and will gladly help with personal attention. Some of the best friendships I have had over the years were formed in a reef club.

 

[moondoggy4]

Basically the twisting action to raise or lower the water in the skimmer is done with a valve or twisting action of a pipe. You have the model that twist it is a pipe that is appr.an 1 1/4 pipe with a 1'' hole drilled in it, that pipe fits in another pipe that is appr 1 1/2'' in diameter, now think of a moon a full moon fully open, crescent moon nearly closed, the crescent moon will cause the water to rise in the tube of the skimmer, so by twisting the pipe it will cause the skimmer water to go up or down if the pipe ( the one you turn) is not seated correctly the skimmer will not operate correctly like what yours maybe doing. The pipe you twist should be the one closets to the body of the skimmer the one that faces up.

 

[FishN00b83]

Reef Dynamics 180E problem

I finally get how to get this thing working! I knew my load was light right now, but I bought it knowing that the bioload was going to be heavy eventually. I just thought the skimmer would work either way. Thinking about it now it makes perfect sense how it works. This info has helped a ton, thanks guys! I'm going to check that link above now