skimmer problem

tbar · 08/13/2007, 07:47 PM

I have an Excailbur SV 2 Skimmer. I believe it operates like a Euro Reef. It's a venturi and the only adjustment is to pull up or push down the PVC portion to change the air/water ratio. It is currently filling the collection cup instantly when I plug it with the PVC all the way up or down. I did clean it a few days ago for the first time since I got it last March. I just sprayed the inside chamber with a hose and nozzle. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Tom

Randall_James · 08/13/2007, 08:22 PM

the up/down adjustment on the pvc outlet is used to control the foam level in the reaction chamber..

If the unit is filling that fast, lower the level of the discharge by pushing the slip joint together. (this will lower the water level in the skimmer)

Make note of where the water level is in the reaction chamber, you will find the ideal spot after a few adjustments.

tbar · 08/13/2007, 08:33 PM

Even with the slip joint all the way together it is still filling the cup to fast, like in about an hour.

Randall_James · 08/13/2007, 08:39 PM

Is the skimmer itself above the water level of the sump? Also, it is "possible" that there is a lot of gunk in the tank itself. What does this discharge look like? It can still be pretty clean looking but be really "sticky" so to speak. Does it hold bubbles really well if you shake it up a bit?

tbar · 08/13/2007, 08:42 PM

yeah, It's 21" sitting in 8" of water

tbar · 08/13/2007, 08:45 PM

There are a lot of bubbles on top of the clear water in the cup that is almost full again in about 15 minutes. Is that what you mean?

Randall_James · 08/13/2007, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tbar
There are a lot of bubbles on top of the clear water in the cup that is almost full again in about 15 minutes. Is that what you mean?

Yes, that is what I meant.

Now, what you can do is remove the slip tube and shorten the pipe it is connected to. (need to lower the discharge even more than it is now for the time being). Otherwise just let the thing keep skimming like mad for another couple days and the thing should slow down. (my collection cups all have drain lines so I do not have to dump them) Do keep an eye on your salinity during this process as you may need to add some hyper-saline water to keep the salinity where it belongs.

tbar · 08/14/2007, 04:59 AM

Thanks Randell, it seems to be slowing down. It did not completly fill up over night. I will have my son monitor it today.. Is the drain lines on the collection cups a DIY? Just drill a hole and attach a tube. I was wondering about the effect on salinty too. Seems to be okay. Thanks again

Randall_James · 08/14/2007, 08:14 AM

The drains come both ways. Some are already done, others are DIY. Mine is in the very bottom of the collection cup. My Precision marine unit used a remote reservoir that worked nicely too but still took dumping.

This works well as it can take 1/2 to 3/4 cup of liquid to make the thing flow (small tube does not like to gravity drain)

08/13/2007, 07:47 PM	#1
tbar Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: SE Virginia Posts: 452	skimmer problem I have an Excailbur SV 2 Skimmer. I believe it operates like a Euro Reef. It's a venturi and the only adjustment is to pull up or push down the PVC portion to change the air/water ratio. It is currently filling the collection cup instantly when I plug it with the PVC all the way up or down. I did clean it a few days ago for the first time since I got it last March. I just sprayed the inside chamber with a hose and nozzle. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Tom

08/13/2007, 08:22 PM	#2
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	the up/down adjustment on the pvc outlet is used to control the foam level in the reaction chamber.. If the unit is filling that fast, lower the level of the discharge by pushing the slip joint together. (this will lower the water level in the skimmer) Make note of where the water level is in the reaction chamber, you will find the ideal spot after a few adjustments. __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

08/13/2007, 08:33 PM	#3
tbar Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: SE Virginia Posts: 452	Even with the slip joint all the way together it is still filling the cup to fast, like in about an hour. __________________ I have done a 5 gal water change (about 17%) every week since week one. Hopefully having this posted here will motivate me enough to keep doing so. Current Tank Info: 33L, Two 36" 24 watt Marineland LED's, Tunze 9002 Skimmer, 2 Koralia 1's, pico hob filter for carbon.

08/13/2007, 08:39 PM	#4
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	Is the skimmer itself above the water level of the sump? Also, it is "possible" that there is a lot of gunk in the tank itself. What does this discharge look like? It can still be pretty clean looking but be really "sticky" so to speak. Does it hold bubbles really well if you shake it up a bit? __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"

08/13/2007, 08:42 PM	#5
tbar Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: SE Virginia Posts: 452	yeah, It's 21" sitting in 8" of water __________________ I have done a 5 gal water change (about 17%) every week since week one. Hopefully having this posted here will motivate me enough to keep doing so. Current Tank Info: 33L, Two 36" 24 watt Marineland LED's, Tunze 9002 Skimmer, 2 Koralia 1's, pico hob filter for carbon.

08/13/2007, 08:45 PM	#6
tbar Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: SE Virginia Posts: 452	There are a lot of bubbles on top of the clear water in the cup that is almost full again in about 15 minutes. Is that what you mean? __________________ I have done a 5 gal water change (about 17%) every week since week one. Hopefully having this posted here will motivate me enough to keep doing so. Current Tank Info: 33L, Two 36" 24 watt Marineland LED's, Tunze 9002 Skimmer, 2 Koralia 1's, pico hob filter for carbon.

08/14/2007, 04:59 AM	#8
tbar Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: SE Virginia Posts: 452	Thanks Randell, it seems to be slowing down. It did not completly fill up over night. I will have my son monitor it today.. Is the drain lines on the collection cups a DIY? Just drill a hole and attach a tube. I was wondering about the effect on salinty too. Seems to be okay. Thanks again __________________ I have done a 5 gal water change (about 17%) every week since week one. Hopefully having this posted here will motivate me enough to keep doing so. Current Tank Info: 33L, Two 36" 24 watt Marineland LED's, Tunze 9002 Skimmer, 2 Koralia 1's, pico hob filter for carbon.

08/14/2007, 08:14 AM	#9
Randall_James Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 6,727	The drains come both ways. Some are already done, others are DIY. Mine is in the very bottom of the collection cup. My Precision marine unit used a remote reservoir that worked nicely too but still took dumping. This works well as it can take 1/2 to 3/4 cup of liquid to make the thing flow (small tube does not like to gravity drain) __________________ "It's a dog eat dog world and I feel like I am wearing milkbone underwear"