Xtreme MSX Series Skimmer Owners Thread

[luke33]

The reducer needs to be flush with the outside of the volute. You may have to wrap teflon tape to get it perfect, thats what i did anyhow. The air injector looks right in the pic.

Jman, you sure your not runnin it in Fresh water?

 

[luke33]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11834643#post11834643 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by murraycamp
One thing I did do is replace the airline tubing with better tubing, and it's a slightly bigger diameter than stock. Think that's it?

If its lose and the pump is pulling water and air, it will have a negative affect.

 

[murraycamp]

Luke, thanks man. I will try it and report back. If that doesn't work, should I put a valve on the airline and restrict air intake? I don't know what else I could do.

 

[murraycamp]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11834683#post11834683 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by luke33
If its lose and the pump is pulling water and air, it will have a negative affect.

No, its tight. And wouldn't the effect be less air intake and thus a lower water level?

 

[luke33]

The pump should only be pulling 500gph with the air. You have the elbo on there correctly where its making a swirl around the bubble plate like a whirlpool right. That could be it. A pic would be great as well man : ) I'm headin to bed, i'll be happy to answer tomorrow in the am.

Luke

 

[luke33]

The more air generally means less water.

 

[jman77]

It is in a freshwater and I know that it won't fill up with bubbles in freshwater.... the problems I'm having are with a problematic pump

Anyone else have chips on the impeller magnets ?

 

[JCTewks]

I wouldn;t worry abtout the chip...but if you are concerned, and have the time to spare, I'm sure that MS will replace it. FWIW, the pump WILL NOT work as it should in FW. put it in some SW and see if your problem goes away.

 

[luke33]

^^^Exactly, and the chip isn't a big deal. My sicce suprema impeller looks like i threw it in the dryer for a few hrs : )

 

[jman77]

" FWIW, the pump WILL NOT work as it should in FW"

Why ? I can understand bubble production, but functionality of the pump ? Why will a pump pulse in fresh water, but work in saltwater. I've been messing around with needlewheel & Venturi skimmers for a long time ... and I have never run into said problem ?

I'm going to talk to MS about chip and see if I can have it replaced under warranty ...as I feel this is a manufacturing defect. I hold Sicce to the same accountability as MaxiJet, Rio's and Ocean Runners, and eheim impellers which have never come like this.

 

[luke33]

Jman, when doing all these mods to the pump it needs certain things to work properly, it needs to be in normal sw and the venturi and reducer both have to be in proper place to work. If the pump was left alone it would work fine in fw or sw, but its not a stock pump, its for sw application only at this point. It looks like you have it set up right, the reducer needs to be flush so pull it out just a bit but i'd give it a try in sw. If it chatters give the venturi a blow, if that doesn't work, then something may be wrong.

 

[luke33]

Also, jman, the sicce has been the trickiest pump i've ever worked with as well. MY first one was mind boggling when modding it.

 

[luke33]

I have heard the meshmod's are being redone with the sent in pump s when being machined and that the reducer is going to be teflon'd and everything is going to be exactly set up when the skimmers are sent out. The tubing is now switched out with the good stuff as well. Per MS. So thats all positive news, there shouldn't be any more confusion with where this or that goes with the new shipments.

 

[jman77]

gocha Luke ....

Man the psk in one tricky pump.... I did the teflon bit yesterday and it worked better.
Still upset about the chip though...waiting to hear back from MS about it....

Luke,

Can you post a pic of how you have the mesh setup on yours ?

 

[luke33]

The way they send it is fine. Here's mine. three layers. Have you put it in saltwater yet?

 

[cardgenius]

So I just got my 160 this morning. I filled a tub with vinegar and SW and this is what its doing. Is it just because the vineagar or am I setting it up wrong. Everything came ready to go, pump started up instantly. But they still gave me the crapy airline.

 

[luke33]

You have the 90 on the output right?

 

[cardgenius]

Yeah and I have the stand pipe fully open.

 

[jman77]

" Have you put it in saltwater yet?"

Not yet...it will go in though this afternoon ....

 

[luke33]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11838811#post11838811 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cardgenius
Yeah and I have the stand pipe fully open.

I've heard this now a few times. I wonder when they designed this skimmer they were a bit overzealous with the stand pipe height. I bet if you cut it down 2" it would work perfectly. I'll send an email to MS and see what they say. I'll also check out the msx 160 thread as well.