skimmer help.

[mystery_reef]

well i've had this skimmer for a while now. it's an ETSS Reef Devil being run by a rio 1700. it doesnt skim that great anymore but always seemed to be enough. i prefer a little dirtier water for the softies anyway, even though my tank is all mixed.
my question is how can i get this thing to bubble like a champ?
new pump or some sort of mod?
thanks.....go hawks

 

[Drag Racer]

Mesh Mod? Helped my skimmer a bunch

 

[mystery_reef]

can i mesh mod my rio pump?
would it even be worth it to do this?
i've been reading both pros and cons....

 

[Compguy]

I mesh modded my Euro-Reef and made a big difference too, especially in turbulence in the skimmer body and really breaks the bubbles down small, I would try that, worked great for me. I would imagine you could mesh mod it, just snip off the little plastic rods on the impeller and then use some fishing line to tie on some mesh, I think I do three layers of it, then trim it up.

 

[Drag Racer]

Thats what I did, trim all the tabs down, put three lyers on with small zip ties. I want to redo it with fishing line next time. The zip ties make a little noise.

 

[driftin]

Does meshmodding help in a downdraft skimmer?

 

[mystery_reef]

will be trying a mesh mod to the rio, as soon as i have some time

 

[Drag Racer]

I dont think that will make a difference because a downdraft doesnt use the pump to produce the fine bubbles does it?

 

[mystery_reef]

your right it doesnt. what else can i do than?? maybe just a whole new pump?

 

[Bob60070]

I just got a ETSS skimmer form JMSALT1 (thanks Jeff) and I am running it with a Mag 9.5 and it is really working well. I think the mag 9.5 in more powerful than your pump. Good luck.

 

[mystery_reef]

the gallons per hour recommended are 700-900 (i believe) would a mag 9.5 hurt the skimmer in anyway? that is what im going to end up doing, i can use the rio for something else anyway

 

[Fish_wiz2]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14964965#post14964965 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mystery_reef
the gallons per hour recommended are 700-900 (i believe) would a mag 9.5 hurt the skimmer in anyway? that is what im going to end up doing, i can use the rio for something else anyway

it should be fine, IMO much more powerful than the rio's. that should help a bunch

 

[ostrow]

The Rio is not the pump rated for that skimmer. Best bet is to get the recommended pump. From the website:

Pumps: Catalina 1800, Catalina 2200, Magdrive #7, Iwaki 20 RLT, Blue Line 20HD

Get one of those.

 

[mystery_reef]

ill go with the mag 7. anybody have one laying around for sale?

the catalina 2200 looks just like a rio and only costs 36.00. i'd probably get the same performance as my rio.
is this pump...you get what you pay for?
if so ill just go with the mag 7, if anyone has one used or new please let me know! thanks.