Skimz skimmer club

[Eel-byte]

You should set the air screw in the silencer assembly all the way closed then open it about 3/4 a turn... Open the gate valve all the way up..

Let the skimmer settle for a hour..
Then slowly close the gate until the water reached the area where the Collection cup attaches..
Wait a while again for it to settle... Then slowly close the air very slight turns
Wait.
turn
wait.
Do this until the bubbles are just below the bottom of the collection cup.. Then wait 3-4 days and adjust..
check it often as you may have to start adjusting more at any time.

This is how i set mine up..

Closing the AIR Raises the bubbles.. Closing the gate raises the water level.

Opening the The air lowers the Bubbles. Opening the gate lowers the water level...

Run the pump at full speed?

 

[Cabo2008]

Well, just thought I'd chime in.

Just got home from a weeks vacation to see my skimmer (SN123) NOT skimming. I'm going to take it apart in the morning, but I have a feeling my pump or impeller is shot.

 

[Reeftub]

How long have you had it and is it dc pump?

 

[DamonG]

SM251 internal.. It's been running great so far!

 

[Cabo2008]

How long have you had it and is it dc pump?

Sorry, not sure how I missed your question, guess I need to open my eyes a little better...lol

Anyway, I've had it since July. I ended up taking it apart and giving the pump/impeller a vinegar bath. After cleaning, I reassembled and tried to fire it up in a bucket of RO/DI (wasn't going to re-install it in the sump yet). The impeller still didn't move but the controller was lighting up.

Sent it all over to Aquacave, they "repaired" it and sent it back. I tested it, and now it works like a champ again. They didn't tell me what was wrong with it so I sent them a note asking about it. They replied stating that the impeller was seized in the pump from build up and that I should clean the pump in vinegar/water every 2-3 months.

While I agree with the cleaning schedule, it doesn't make sense as I did clean it prior to opening a ticket with them and it didn't help. So I don't know, I guess I'll just have to wait and see.

 

[DamonG]

Is this only happening on the dc pumped versions? That would be hacked if one or both of my pumps went out.. I mean that thing is a monster, and so was the 163 I had..

 

[Cabo2008]

I really don't know, that's just the diagnosis they gave me on mine.

 

[DamonG]

Hmmnnn,I guess only time will tell. Mine is still skimming silently like a mad man!

 

[Eel-byte]

Any pump will seize up if you don't clean it in a regular basis

 

[FarmerTy]

I'm bad about cleaning my pump but I try to get in there at least 1/year. Just by sheer luck, there wasn't anything stuck in the impeller like I usually see... snail shell.. biopellet... etc.

 

[flaj75]

Anyone have any good luck with the Skimz Oval SV203? I like that the footprint is slimmer and allows for more space in my sump.

 

[cruzo]

Can someone that has a SN143 please tell me the actual dimensions?
I know they are listed on the website but I wanted to see the actual dimensions from an owner. I have one of the SC Aquarium sumps with the SCA 301 and wanted to see if I could upgrade with the space I have.

Thanks
Orlando

 

[Jmasiello]

Curious myself

Curious myself

Anyone have any good luck with the Skimz Oval SV203? I like that the footprint is slimmer and allows for more space in my sump.

Curious to know anyone with this model and how well it works?

 

[Eel-byte]

Just can't get this skimmer tuned in. I have to have the valve almost fully closed to get the water in the neck. I have the skimmer in 9" of water. Any thoughts?

 

[DamonG]

Just can't get this skimmer tuned in. I have to have the valve almost fully closed to get the water in the neck. I have the skimmer in 9" of water. Any thoughts?

Where is your air control set? From the bubbles, it looks down way low (like fully open).. That will work sometimes, but you usually have to close the gate completely to get it up high enough to get a decent (either light to dark) skim..

Both of mine that i have owned, i started with the air valve at about 4 threads showing. I then,, at it so that, to begin with, the bubbles break and the bottom of the collection cup neck.. From there, i can adjust the gate valve to get the color i want or need..

 

[Eel-byte]

Where is your air control set?

3/4 turn from closed position

 

[DamonG]

3/4 turn from closed position

That's probably why.. Try the thread method i mentioned above.. Count the number of threads showing.. How many are showing?

And where is your gate valve? They actually work together.. Something doesn't seem right or is missing in the description given..
The gate valve. You may want to check and make sure that it's still connected(the two parts) and is actually opening and closing the valve..

 

[rosterv]

Skimz Mini monster 143 is a great little skimmer. Efficient, silent, pulls a lot of wet or slowly accumulates super dark skimmate. Very adjustable but perhaps too adjustable since it can be tough to get set to be consistent.

 

[flaj75]

That's probably why.. Try the thread method i mentioned above.. Count the number of threads showing.. How many are showing?

And where is your gate valve? They actually work together.. Something doesn't seem right or is missing in the description given..
The gate valve. You may want to check and make sure that it's still connected(the two parts) and is actually opening and closing the valve..

I just ordered the Skimz SV203. How long does it take to break in? Whats the ideal water height do you have in your sump.

Thanks!

 

[DamonG]

I just ordered the Skimz SV203. How long does it take to break in? Whats the ideal water height do you have in your sump.

Thanks!

It took my 203,from our the box, about 5 to 6 hours to begin skimming. But even after it began, for about a week, as the film in the neck built up, the skim got progressively darker, which, i then adjusted the gate to keep it wet skimming..

And I personally, like, and have settled on 9" height for the skimmer section of my fuges. That depth usually, from what i have observed and experienced, is usually somewhere in the range recommends from the mfg's(for the most part)..