Avast CS1 Peg Leg Skimmer

[Eel-byte]

For a basic diy kit, not bad. If you're looking for polished shiny skimmer, this isn't for you unless you want to do the work. I do have to say the support is awesome! Easy to build, the design still needs to be tweaked. The skimmers only been running for 5 days now, still breaking in, better yet no leaks!

[Eel-byte]

Am i the only one?

[moondoggy4]

Is it the same size as the I-tech 200? Looks like a great skimmer. What size tank is it on?

[thewire]

She is hot the girl in the video lol

[Pdubss]

I have last years non peg leg cone skinner and it has worked out well for me.

[jasonrp104]

I've checked out the website a bit, but that was awhile ago. What is the footprint? What pump?

[eohlin]

So, this is my first post on the boards...I'm very new to Saltwater. I purchased a used tank this past December that came with an old Berlin skimmer. I knew it had to be upgraded at some point, but the tank was nice otherwise and a great deal.

I spoke to the guys at Avast, great to deal with!

I like to build things, so this seemed like a great idea. The build went great, no problems working the materials at all. The video was also "nice"!!

I finally got the skimmer going this morning...so I have 3 or 4 days for break-in I guess. No leaks over here either!

For those guys that are running this skimmer...how quite is your skimmer?

Eric

[eohlin]

According to Avast's web site, the skimmer's foot print is 9" x 10"....which seems right.

Also...the pump is a Sicce PSK2500.

I'm running it in 6" of water, which seems OK to me.

eric

[Maximus]

Got a link to the video?

[Eel-byte]

Here are the specs:
Tank Rating: 100-200 gallons
Footprint: 9"x10"
Height: 22", with Swabbie 24"
Diameter at Base 7.5"
Neck diameter: 3.75"
Collection Cup Diameter: 6"
Collection Cup Drain: Standard
Air Silencer: Standard
Sicce PSK2500 performance (avg): 800-900 lph @ 23w
For in sump use: 6"-12" depth
Optional Pump Warranty: 1 year.

I'm running mine in 8" of water. The sicce pump with the custom volute seems to do a good job. I'm looking at getting the atb replacement pinwheel. Going to empty my first full cup of skimmate today, skimming a little on the wet side yet. I'm using this on a lightly stocked 120g. Here's the link for installation video. It hasn't been updated for the peg-leg skimmer yet, http://www.avastmarine.com/videos/CS1_Assembly.mov

[skh]

Originally Posted by Eel-byte

For a basic diy kit, not bad. If you're looking for polished shiny skimmer, this isn't for you unless you want to do the work. I do have to say the support is awesome! Easy to build, the design still needs to be tweaked. The skimmers only been running for 5 days now, still breaking in, better yet no leaks!

Hey Eel-byte - is the skimmer still running well? Also what did you mean by saying that the design still needs to be tweaked?

[eohlin]

I would also be interested in hearing about design tweaks...

Mine has been running for two weeks now, and seems to finally be getting broke in...the stuff it's pulling out of the water is amazing compared to the old berlin skimmer that came with my tank.

At some point, I'd love to add on an external tank and swabbie...I travel for work and my wife's not thrilled about the possibility of having to empty the thing.

The only thing I've noticed, is how sensitive it is to water level in my sump...I also purchased the Avast auto top off switch...I need to get that installed this weekend.

Eric

[Rwinfrey]

I just got one of these for a school tank I run I am running a a sicce 1000 atb hooked me up the only suggestion I would give is a wedge pipe instead of the the current set up it's just a little touchy but works just fine I am breaking it in this weekend in my system but I will get some pics up or maybe a video once I get it in the schools tank on Monday.

[eohlin]

Can anyone else comment on how loud your Avast skimmer is / isn't?

I was hoping for something quieter...but maybe my expectations were not correct. I'm new to all this, so I don't really have anything to compare my skimmer too.

Thanks...

eric

[chimmike]

Originally Posted by eohlin

I would also be interested in hearing about design tweaks...

Mine has been running for two weeks now, and seems to finally be getting broke in...the stuff it's pulling out of the water is amazing compared to the old berlin skimmer that came with my tank.

At some point, I'd love to add on an external tank and swabbie...I travel for work and my wife's not thrilled about the possibility of having to empty the thing.

The only thing I've noticed, is how sensitive it is to water level in my sump...I also purchased the Avast auto top off switch...I need to get that installed this weekend.

Eric

Your skimmer should be in a chamber separate from the return pump that isn't affected by water level.

[eohlin]

I agree...however I purchased the tank used...and kinda have to live with what I have for now. I'd like to create chambers in the sump where I could control the level...but it's just not practical now.

With an auto-top off system setup and working correctly...I think I should be able to maintain a constant level.

I'm new at this...so any suggestions would be great!

[skh]

Anyone have any updates on how the skimmer is running, or other impressions?

[moondoggy4]

Originally Posted by eohlin

Can anyone else comment on how loud your Avast skimmer is / isn't?

I was hoping for something quieter...but maybe my expectations were not correct. I'm new to all this, so I don't really have anything to compare my skimmer too.

Thanks...

eric

I have a very similar skimmer as yours with the Sicce pump, they do suck a lot of air so they definitely need a silencer. Sicce has a hum to them as well. Does your skimmer water exit at water level?

[ANGRY JOHN]

i have been looking at this skimmer and am very interested in the discharge control, is it not as good as a wedge pipe? I have a pm redline 125 right now with a wedge pipe and i hate the control. Was looking at getting a gate valve for better control. If this skimmer is not great i may not want to get one.

[moondoggy4]

Check out Reef Dynamics for photo's of their gate valve mod both skimmers are very similar.

[Eel-byte]

Originally Posted by moondoggy4

Check out Reef Dynamics for photo's of their gate valve mod both skimmers are very similar.

I'll have to check that out, i really don't like there current effluent control, as stated its a little touchy.

Right now i'm running mine in 6" of water with the valve closed about 50%. The only issue i'm having is the sicce 2500 starting up in reverse. I'll try and get some new pics up in the next few days. The only "mod" i did was move the silencer higher as every time I turned off my return pump and skimmer the water would backup into the silencer. I attached the silencer to the collection cup lid, not the best choice but a quick fix.

[ANGRY JOHN]

i am having that same issue, i just pick up the skimmer right now when i shut everything down, there does seem to be some extra air hose. I have also added a short section of pipe to the dishcharge and a 45 to help reduce the noise of the outflow.