EvMiBo
VictoriaConcordiaCrescit
Yes, flow of the pump will also determine how it skims as well.
The Life Reef Skimmer Club
- Thread starter d2mini
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Yes, flow of the pump will also determine how it skims as well.
clorox
New member
Do you have a picture of this? I'd really like to tone down the sloshing sound from the water coming out the exit valve. I have already the fittings.
Depends on your setup. If you had a pump that had no volume adjustment with a constant flow, then only the gate valve will make the adjustment. If your pump can be adjusted for flow, then both can be used theoretically.
Not that as you increase the volume of water, the gate valve needs to open up more or it will over flow. The rate in has to equal the rate out.
With that said, you should set the pump volume to what you want and leave it at that. Make the water level adjustments only with the gate valve.
clorox
New member
Got it. I have the pump set at the max setting for now (approx 1600Gph). It has 5 presets.
Once the skimmer fully breaks in and starts producing skimmate, I will start dialing it in until I find the right setting.
What I did was take a 90 degree elbow and put it at the of the exit pipe from the gate valve and turn it so that the water pours out of it about at a 45 degree angle or so. It will pour out gentle enough for me where there is no noise. Don't glue the elbow so that you can turn it and try different angles.
With regards to the tee, you can do this:
A tee from the exit pipe. Place it so that one opening is at the top and one is at the bottom. At the top opening put a PVC cap and drill a small hole so air can get out. At the bottom of the tee put 1" pipe and submerge it.
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During normal operation back pressure is negligible as we have set our gate valve for proper operation.
However, if users were to turn off return pumps during feeding or adjust any valves/flow that would cause the water level in the sump to rise higher than the bottom of the PVC exiting the skimmer housing then you would see an impact on skimming.
As for the T, I use it differently than Ken.
The two openings of the T are underwater. Reason I do this, the flow hit's the T and gets diverted two ways. You have the same amount of flow hitting a wall in the T (slowing the flow down) and diverting it two different ways which results in slower flow coming out of each side of the T and essentially a completely silent exit.
Also, reason I opted to do this, the water exiting the skimmer spreads out horizontally rather than getting sent straight down as described by Ken. Majority of the sumps with internal returns from LR the skimmer exits into the filtration chamber. I prefer to have this water spread out horizontally that way it is not all being directed straight down into the same part of the filter. When I used to run it like this I always saw a dark spot form very quickly in that area. Now that I have started using this T I see an even darkening of my filter pads.
The two openings of the T are underwater. Reason I do this, the flow hit's the T and gets diverted two ways. You have the same amount of flow hitting a wall in the T (slowing the flow down) and diverting it two different ways which results in slower flow coming out of each side of the T and essentially a completely silent exit.
Also, reason I opted to do this, the water exiting the skimmer spreads out horizontally rather than getting sent straight down as described by Ken. Majority of the sumps with internal returns from LR the skimmer exits into the filtration chamber. I prefer to have this water spread out horizontally that way it is not all being directed straight down into the same part of the filter. When I used to run it like this I always saw a dark spot form very quickly in that area. Now that I have started using this T I see an even darkening of my filter pads.
clorox
New member
Thanks for the tips. I'll experiment a little and see which combination works best, mostly due to the very limited space I have in the skimmer area.
Technically, I think I could get away with just the 90 degree elbow pointing downwards with water exiting below the water level and a hole drilled at the top.
clorox
New member
It's been a day since I set it up and I am starting to see some skimmate forming around the base of the neck. I also did the 90 degree elbow mod, works great, thanks for the tip!
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WestTexasReefer
New member
I just raised the water level in the sump to submerge the exit to eliminate the water sounds. Then adjusted the gate valve to set the water level inside the skimmer. Been running it this way for months and it works great.
If you kill your return line while feeding then this will cause your skimmer to skim very wet while feeding if not overflow. This is why I make sure my PVC is above the sump high level when the return pump is off. So my skimmer can keep going and never lose it's head... Unless of course I feed PE Mysis... then gg it's all over with those oils. But with most foods I do not lose my foam head
azjohnny
Active member
When I called Jeff to order my skimmer one of things we talked about was the water height vs the output and he says its not an issue and the taller the skimmer is the more stable it will be. His skimmers can handle much higher sump levels than competing skimmers.
I wouldn't worry about losing the foam head after feeding or putting your hands in the tank it will return within an hour or two.
I wouldn't worry about losing the foam head after feeding or putting your hands in the tank it will return within an hour or two.
This is correct and I never said the skimmer cannot handle higher water heights.
What I said was that for people who turn off their return line, or have a dc pump and decrease return flow during feeding (this is done to avoid adding wasteful nutrients to the tank by avoiding food going into your overflow and into your sump) that you need to keep the MAX water level when pumps are off or turned down below the PVC tube, otherwise you will increase the water height in the skimmer and skim wet/overflow.
Now if a DC pump is used for the skimmer as well then it doesn't matter if they have a controller that can adjust the dimming% to the pump during feeding mode and dial down the % to avoid overflow/wet skimming.
Yogre
Cheesehead Reefer
I've noticed this effect too and as a matter of fact its the reason I quit running the foam filter in the skimmer compartment on my Lifereef sump.
When I started dosing vinegar, I noticed the foam would clog fairly quickly, in a matter of a few days, presumably because of bacterial build up. The water level in the sump chamber the skimmer is in would rise, and I'd end up skimming way wetter than I wanted.
jerseypete
New member
Well i must be having the same problem also. My foam filter keeps clogging up. I rinsed and rinsed and same thing. Im dosing vodka. Well you learn something new everyday.
clorox
New member
How long does it take before I start seeing real skimmate in the cup?
It's been 3 days running, bubbles are at the base of the neck of the cup, I see some light colored skimmate, but not what I expected.
Perhaps it needs a longer break in period.
Fair enough, my tank is a 60g, it's not overstocked and I feed every other day. I also use a filter sock, should I remove it?
It's been 3 days running, bubbles are at the base of the neck of the cup, I see some light colored skimmate, but not what I expected.
Perhaps it needs a longer break in period.
Fair enough, my tank is a 60g, it's not overstocked and I feed every other day. I also use a filter sock, should I remove it?
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How long does it take before I start seeing real skimmate in the cup?
It's been 3 days running, bubbles are at the base of the neck of the cup, I see some light colored skimmate, but not what I expected.
Perhaps it needs a longer break in period.
Fair enough, my tank is a 60g, it's not overstocked and I feed every other day. I also use a filter sock, should I remove it?
Did you raise the water level at any point and is that when you collected that wet skim?
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