Volcano club

So to sum it up, you are using slightly less air than the whole Alita 80, and added mesh so the pump could handle it. Sounds like one fix to me... although I would think that adding a bleeder on the airline would be better for the pump than adding more restriction (smaller line)... a bleeder rather than restriction valve on the pump's output would be better, right?
 
Someone should atleast try it. There has been alot of talk and no action to this point. I think the 4-5 people who had problems with the Volcano solved them by buying a different product.

I know that detracts from the point we need to find answers to fix the problem. There has been alot of nice suggestions, but someone needs to test one of them out...Or two, or all of them.

I think the guy I am sending it to will start by changing the diffuser plate, the needle wheel, and the venturi.

I do know he WILL NOT change the skimmer height or shape. Best case senario he will find a solution for the dart and the pump. Worst case senario he will have to add another dart and pump (or one larger motor). I will post progress reports. I am sending it off this week and he will start working on it around start of Oct.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13445422#post13445422 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by hahnmeister
So to sum it up, you are using slightly less air than the whole Alita 80, and added mesh so the pump could handle it. Sounds like one fix to me... although I would think that adding a bleeder on the airline would be better for the pump than adding more restriction (smaller line)... a bleeder rather than restriction valve on the pump's output would be better, right?
Click to expand...

I just took the advice Geo gave me and it really has helped a lot. I think the air entering through a smaller tube is reacting differently than the large tubing...but the bleeder might accomplish the same task?
 
Jon,

The guy also said that is what he might do to the Volcano. He said airstones are the best bubble makers. They have to be the high quality ones.

I think that would be the best option, but it is probably a service nightmare.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13445294#post13445294 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nanook Since doing this I have been getting amazing foam in the whole skimmer and am pulling about 1 gallon per day of dark green skimmate. [/B]
Click to expand...

Green? Are you dosing phyto or what?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13445294#post13445294 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nanook
Since doing this I have been getting amazing foam in the whole skimmer and am pulling about 1 gallon per day of dark green skimmate.
Click to expand...

Got pics ??
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13445470#post13445470 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Reefaquariumnut
Jon,

The guy also said that is what he might do to the Volcano. He said airstones are the best bubble makers. They have to be the high quality ones.

I think that would be the best option, but it is probably a service nightmare.
Click to expand...

Not a service nightmare. That is a fallacy for using high quality stones requires very little maintenance. I get this question a lot. I recently had a phone conversation with another guy who basically copied my skimmer design (which really isn't my design) and he wanted to know how often I cleaned my stones.

Since I have had them, they have had one 2 hour bath in a weak muraitic solution. I suggested he do that every 6 months, but there's no real data IMO to confirm that.

He also asked how long I thought the stones would last, to which I replied, probably longer than our life times. I said I will probably swap them out every 5 years just to be a nerd.

BUT, these are the high quality stones from Aquatic-Eco, ozone safe CPVC mounts, and cost $20 - $30 each. At 105W I make that back in a couple months. :D
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13445533#post13445533 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jnarowe
Green? Are you dosing phyto or what?
Click to expand...

Nope, no phyto. Skimmate is a dark green.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13445574#post13445574 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by asnatlas
Got pics ??
Click to expand...

I drained it tonight when I got home from work but can take a picture on Tuesday of what I have then.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13445638#post13445638 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nanook
I felt the sides of my Alita 80 airpump and they are quite hot to touch.
Click to expand...

:lol: no kidding! something very few realize is that you are still generating a LOT of heat even with air stones. My air hose is hot to the touch and I would guess in a smaller tank my skimmer would add a couple of degrees.
 
Well the thread is about Volcanos so I will link you to my Skimmer Page in which you can see the "evolution" of my skimmer. Towards the bottom are some newer pics & vids, and since I put the larger stone manifold in and increased the airline size, the air pump draw has lowered to 105W.

The essence of the install is getting the stones spread out, down low, and making it easy to remove. It's just one hole in the side of the skimmer and the appropriate bulkhead. If I were to mess around with retro-fitting a Volcano, I would probably try a center pipe with the stones radiating out, but there may be more interference with the bubbles than running it down the side like mine.

For the larger sized Volcanos I would start with an Alita 120 and 10 - 12 9" fine pore stones. Maybe even go up to 12" stones. The more the better IMO.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13445456#post13445456 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Nanook
I just took the advice Geo gave me and it really has helped a lot. I think the air entering through a smaller tube is reacting differently than the large tubing...but the bleeder might accomplish the same task?
Click to expand...

That is one nice skimmer, I would like to see pictures of it working...
That is an awesome dog in your pic gallery.
 
jnarowe, I want to try the airstones. If I used 2 pumps to simulate a large one and some cheaper wood stones do you think it would be close enough to your skimmer to evaluate wether to go all out and buy the big pump a ceramic stones?
 
all depends on the skimmer size/type etc. Wooden stones make great bubbles so they would work well for a test but you would need a LOT of them for a Volcano sized skimmer. My original setup was wood stones attached by airline and they worked very well, but turned to mush over time. Even after they had gone bad, they still made enough air to skim.

Seems like it would be a good way to assess your situation, but I would keep in mind that pushing a lot of air through high quality stones will give you better results.

I have a buddy that had a Saleen built! (poor man's vette) :D
 
jnarowe- I really should have taken your lead a couple of years back on the air driven skimmer.

I like the idea. So if I retrofit the skimmer how would you recommend mounting the airstones? I can't see the maifold well in the pics on your page.

Also, what is the neck diameter. It doesn't look all that wide. How much air do you think you are forcing through the stones?
 
So I have been searching aquaticecosystems and there are a couple of different stones that look like yours.

Can you take a look and provide a link. The only fine pore stones I found were made by sweetwater and they said they require frequent cleaning.

This one doesn't say fine pore: http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategories/2777/Replacement-Diffuser-9

Or these:

http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategories/2220/Generation-II-Diffusers-by-Sweetwater

http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategories/2459/Fine-Pore-Diffusers-by-Sweetwater/fine pore/0

Also, check out this manifold: http://www.aquaticeco.com/subcategories/1902/Round-Manifolds
 
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Yeah, ever since they "upgraded" their site, it is hell finding stuff. I looked at that manifold before and that what caused me to contemplate going down the center. Again, I am sure many would consider that to much of a disturbance to the bubbles, but I don't really know.

I am using the Sweetwater stones:

ALR230CP Fine-Pore Diffusers for Ozone and Pure Oxygen, 1/2" NPT CPVC, 9" x 1.5"

I know the description says they require more cleaning, but I disagree. And they make much better bubbles than the medium pore. I tried the medium first just for the reason you state, but I am much happier with the fine pore.
 
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