Volcano club

[yeniraki]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13619304#post13619304 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lvpd186
Here is the current bubble plate (24, 1/2" holes):

The NW and pump was actually a reeflo gold according to a sticker I found on it (maybe it won't need to be replaced after all):

I took the volute off to check on how the venturi was inserted and found a big blob of silicone (I removed that, but I don't know how much or a problem it was creating); also I saw that the venturi is just cut flush with the inner pipe wall:

Lastly I went ahead an filled it with fresh water to see how it would work (with out the bubble plate):

I was actually kind of impressed at the air it was sucking in, but it was easy to see it does need a bubble plate. The pump creates a vortex in the water that would probably interfere with skimming.

Did you start using it? Any updates?

 

[lvpd186]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13620730#post13620730 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by skey44
it will perform much differently with saltwater, I would not base any of your modifications on the fresh water run.

Very true and I know it will perform different, I just couldn't help filling it up and starting the pump. As for updates I drilled a bunch of 1/4" holes in the bubble plate and then tested again using sw. Here is what the bubble plate looks like now (not a professional CNC job, but its done):

And now some shots of it running (with out an air pump):

I think it made some difference. It's not like "PVC white" but it looks like it is performing.

 

[yeniraki]

It looks like you will certainly need an air pump when you will increase the water to actual working level.

 

[Paulairduck]

That bubble plate look's much better, Good Job

 

[lvpd186]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13640898#post13640898 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Paulairduck
That bubble plate look's much better, Good Job

Thanks! Drilling and counter-sinking that many holes was no picnic, but if it produces some results I'll be happy.

It looks like you will certainly need an air pump when you will increase the water to actual working level.

That will certainly be the real test. I need to set up some sort of test tank so I can run some water through it at the proper height (the systems it will be on later are just piles of acrylic sheets right now).

 

[tom obrecht]

I would have to say from the pictures that you are getting as good of bubble density with the new bubble plate as I was running it with the air pump. Anxious to see what it looks like with the air pump.

 

[tom obrecht]

Here's a picture of the volcano with the airpump attached. I think your new bubble plate design has added performance already. Judge for yourself.

[/IMG]

 

[yeniraki]

Will it keep on sucking the same amount of air after increasing the headpressure another 10"?

 

[lvpd186]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13650654#post13650654 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by yeniraki
Will it keep on sucking the same amount of air after increasing the headpressure another 10"?

Thats a good question. I hope to be able to find out soon, I need to plug the intake hole better (or hook it up to a tank) before I can fill it up the rest of the way. I'd like to see what kind of a foam head it can make now too. I think its evident that the bubble plate was too restrictive though. Plus on top of that if it doesn't suck as much air when it's full I can add the air pump and see if that helps.

 

[yeniraki]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13651474#post13651474 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lvpd186
Thats a good question. I hope to be able to find out soon, I need to plug the intake hole better (or hook it up to a tank) before I can fill it up the rest of the way. I'd like to see what kind of a foam head it can make now too. I think its evident that the bubble plate was too restrictive though. Plus on top of that if it doesn't suck as much air when it's full I can add the air pump and see if that helps.

I am not trying to make you upset or anything. I think Volcanos are very good skimmers for large systems. The pump they come with is a bit small and require an air pump to beat the headpressure caused by the height of the skimmer.

 

[GSMguy]

there is less back pressure from the bubble plate now I imagine the extra 10" wont be death for that foam,

 

[lvpd186]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13656755#post13656755 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by yeniraki
I am not trying to make you upset or anything. I think Volcanos are very good skimmers for large systems. The pump they come with is a bit small and require an air pump to beat the headpressure caused by the height of the skimmer.

Not at all, I just agree with you that it was a good question . The good thing though is even if it draws less air with the extra 10" of water I can still add the air pump to make up for it. I haven't had a chance to do anything else with it, but I hope to get some work done either over the weekend or early next week.

 

[Paulairduck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13648855#post13648855 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tom obrecht
Here's a picture of the volcano with the airpump attached. I think your new bubble plate design has added performance already. Judge for yourself.

[/IMG]

Skimmer heaven in that pic

I wish the volcano's would have been refined some more they have too much potential.

 

[JRaquatics]

I just got off of the phone with Mike at Reef Specialty inquiring the status on the Reeflo 200 wheel and he told me that he is now selling the upgrade pin wheel for the dart pump to anyone that wants one. I thought I would bring it to the attention to those interested.

 

[lvpd186]

Thanks, I was looking at one of those thinking it would help (plus we don't have to re-invent the wheel).

 

[tom obrecht]

any new updates?

 

[lvpd186]

Actually I do have an update. First of all yeniraki was correct, when I filled the skimmer up all the way it almost totally stopped drawing in air. I was really surprised by this, especially that the air draw didn't just go down a little but almost totally (maybe the restrictive bubble plate helped in this manner?). After this occurred I went ahead and added the air pump. With all of the air forced in to the pump the pump starts to cavitate and large bubbles come out. With the air valve totally open the skimmer works, but the bubble density isn't that great. Somewhere in between though the skimmer seemed to work very well. I am still planning on getting the new NW, but that might be several weeks away. I will upload some photos here in a couple of mins.

 

[mavgi]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13721312#post13721312 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by lvpd186
Actually I do have an update. First of all yeniraki was correct, when I filled the skimmer up all the way it almost totally stopped drawing in air. I was really surprised by this, especially that the air draw didn't just go down a little but almost totally (maybe the restrictive bubble plate helped in this manner?). After this occurred I went ahead and added the air pump. With all of the air forced in to the pump the pump starts to cavitate and large bubbles come out. With the air valve totally open the skimmer works, but the bubble density isn't that great. Somewhere in between though the skimmer seemed to work very well. I am still planning on getting the new NW, but that might be several weeks away. I will upload some photos here in a couple of mins.

Did you measure the pump air how much it's pull and what Watt it use ?

 

[lvpd186]

Here is the first photo, this one shows the water level. The pump is running but it isn't sucking in hardly any air:

This photo shows the air connected and the bleed valve totally open:

Here is the body with the valve totally open, not too bad, but it gets better:

Here is a "tuned" shot of the valve and the body:

I think the last shot shows some progress. I was thinking about getting a kill-a-watt and using that to help tune it as well, but that might be premature if I get the new NW. Any thoughts?

 

[lvpd186]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=13721384#post13721384 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mavgi
Did you measure the pump air how much it's pull and what Watt it use ?

No, unfortunately I can't, right now I don't own an air meter or a kill-a-watt. But I'm not sure how I would hook one up if I am using an air pump to force feed the skimmer.