ETSS Skimmer Club!

[rickyfins]

I love these so much I decided to turn a Seaclone into a downdraft ETSS style skimmer. I am using it on my frag tank. Boy it works great. Here is a picture about 20 mins after setup.






And here it is about a week after install on the frag tank.

[txfatcat]

Well I kicked the pump into full gear. I went and got some 1/2" quick connect fittings for 3/8 plastic hose and then ran those to a "t" then to one of the air valves. This way I can fine tune both chambers for the air intake at one time. I mounted the air valve where I could manage it better. Now things are working out and getting where they need to be as far as skimmate. Yes 3/8" hose is more than enough


I will l see how things work out.


As for the comparison between mag pumps. Well I am a stickler for things being right and I looked at the specs over and over.

You have to have a pressure rated pump. When AE Tech specs the pumps for the skimmers...there is a reason. Otherwise you will always have inconsistent performance. Thanks everyone for the help and input

[bhdmc]

I have the ETSS 700 skimmer for many years and pour freshwater down the air intake to clean out some of the salt build up. First time I ever done this. I thought it was a good idea at that time. Now for the last 3 weeks, the skimmer has not produce any skimmate. Has this happen to anyone?

[txfatcat]

My question with salt creep is that if you have the air hose pulling air from the the outside(freshair) then will you still get salt creep?. I may take the single 3/8" line and run it out side.

[sunsetSPS]

Originally posted by bhdmc
I have the ETSS 700 skimmer for many years and pour freshwater down the air intake to clean out some of the salt build up. First time I ever done this. I thought it was a good idea at that time. Now for the last 3 weeks, the skimmer has not produce any skimmate. Has this happen to anyone?

Check air hose, check if you have too few or too many bio-ball (little more than half way filled in the bio-ball column is good start). If pump is not strong enough. The outtake pressure (is too much pressure or fluctuated pressure) It's very unusual not to have skimmate for 3 weeks.

[Bulldogger2008]

Any suggestions on a high quality, high output HOB Skimmer. I have a 125 and need a Skimmer. I want the best there is.

[bhdmc]

Originally posted by sunsetSPS
Check air hose, check if you have too few or too many bio-ball (little more than half way filled in the bio-ball column is good start). If pump is not strong enough. The outtake pressure (is too much pressure or fluctuated pressure) It's very unusual not to have skimmate for 3 weeks.

Using Iwaki 40RLT water pump(recommended pump). Bio-ball amount should be fine since I never open up this chamber and it did skim in the past. I just add freshwater to the air intake and it went down hill after that.

[rickyfins]

I would check and make sure there isn't a clog somewhere in the air intake. A chunk of salt creep could be preventing the skimmer from pulling the required amount of air.

I also change my bioballs every 6 months to ensure great reaction between water and air. The older the balls the less effective they seem to be. The more dirt that builds up prevents the mixing between O2 and H2O.

[yasmar01]

Originally posted by ostrow
See Jose's (jdieck) posts here:
http://archive.reefcentral.com/forum...l&pagenumber=2

i am also interested in were you guys have your water levels. this post wont work for me. i just want some help i am running my 800 with a blueline 55 and it seems my skimmate production isnt up to par. it is eather no skimmate or very clear like diluted ice tea. by the way it is on my 210 gal. reef

[jdieck]

Originally posted by yasmar01
i am also interested in were you guys have your water levels. this post wont work for me. i just want some help i am running my 800 with a blueline 55 and it seems my skimmate production isnt up to par. it is eather no skimmate or very clear like diluted ice tea. by the way it is on my 210 gal. reef

When that happens it is usually a sign of unstable flow. Wither the inlet pressure varies (which is not a usual case with a good pump) or the most usual is that something in the skimmer outlet is changing the back pressure on the output line. Things that can do that: Outlet submerged while the level in the sump changes. Too many fittings on the outlet, outlet not stright andslightly sloped down, output adjustment valve (The one to adjust the foam ) have a loose seat or gate etc.

[yasmar01]

yes..i have it in my sump and the water level does change. the only problem is i have it as high out of the sump as i can the outlet is submerged about 11/2-2". by the way i have about 20 bio balls in each tower if i take more out wont i get more air and thicker foam?

[ostrow]

Can you put a stand under the skimmer to get the outlet above the water line? You can use a bucket, eggcrate, anything to raise the skimmer above the water. That will help a lot.

[jdieck]

Originally posted by yasmar01
yes..i have it in my sump and the water level does change. the only problem is i have it as high out of the sump as i can the outlet is submerged about 11/2-2". by the way i have about 20 bio balls in each tower if i take more out wont i get more air and thicker foam?

That is the issue, as far asthe outlet is submerged, when the water level in the sump rises there is increased back pressure in the outlet and the skimmer will overflow. When the water level drops there will be less back pressure and the foam column will drop so no skimmate is produced.
As mentioned above by Ostrow, see if you can further rise the skimmer above the water level.

[yasmar01]

i have it on a stand and it is as high as i can get it due to it being under my stand. is there anything else i could do? i guess i have to install it out of the sump. the problem is that i use my 210 as a room divider between the living room and kitchen. im sure my guests dont want to see a bucket full of skimmate and a protein skimmer while i make dinner.....lol

[jdieck]

Originally posted by yasmar01
i have it on a stand and it is as high as i can get it due to it being under my stand. is there anything else i could do? i guess i have to install it out of the sump. the problem is that i use my 210 as a room divider between the living room and kitchen. im sure my guests dont want to see a bucket full of skimmate and a protein skimmer while i make dinner.....lol

There is something you can try but in some cases do not work that well but it will help. Pipe the outlet in a way that is pointed up and the sideways out of the water. It will create more back pressure but as far as the back pressure is constant you shall still be able to adjust the skimmer.

[yasmar01]

i will try that when i get home. should i take some of the bio balls out to get more air intake? it seams like i have always been getting wet skimmate

[hottuna]

ETSS : Eradicating .The. Slow. Skimmers. (needlewheels) LOL !!

[yasmar01]

well i tried the elbow...so far so good we will see in a couple of days if it works. if not i will have to figure a way to install it out of the sump.

[porthios]

that seaclone mod owns btw..

[jdieck]

Originally posted by yasmar01
well i tried the elbow...so far so good we will see in a couple of days if it works. if not i will have to figure a way to install it out of the sump.

It shall work with no modification to the number of bioballs as far as the outlet is always above the water surface as the level of the sump increases or decreases.

[starsbravo]

I have a question maybe some of you experts can answer. I have a Reef Devil Deluxe. I read that you could produce more foam by removing some bio balls. I tried it...only added 9 of the 12 small bio balls. It started to overskim like crazy. So I just put back the remaining 3 and my skimmer is still over skimming. I dont know what I did. It worked fine moments before now it overskims with the gate valve fully open. Any suggestions?? Thanks

Josh

[jdieck]

Originally posted by starsbravo
I have a question maybe some of you experts can answer. I have a Reef Devil Deluxe. I read that you could produce more foam by removing some bio balls. I tried it...only added 9 of the 12 small bio balls. It started to overskim like crazy. So I just put back the remaining 3 and my skimmer is still over skimming. I dont know what I did. It worked fine moments before now it overskims with the gate valve fully open. Any suggestions?? Thanks

Josh

Usually overskimming is either an issue of plugged or backpressured outlet or too much inlet flow. Try also checking the inlet nozzle and air inlet port for buildup of scale or salt creep.
Finally another potential cause of overskimming is the use of certain water conditioners specially dechlorinators or similar conditioners and clarifiers that contain either aloe, a fish skin protective coating agent or a polimer to aglomerate floating particles.

[starsbravo]

Both the inlet nozzle and air port or clean...Nothing backing up the system and I have not introduced any conditioners at all....So I dont know...I noticed that when I put my finger over the air port it dies down and starts acting normal...any other suggestions?

[Bulldogger2008]

how do you post a picture next to your thread like i see some of y'all doing?

[jdieck]

Originally posted by starsbravo
Both the inlet nozzle and air port or clean...Nothing backing up the system and I have not introduced any conditioners at all....So I dont know...I noticed that when I put my finger over the air port it dies down and starts acting normal...any other suggestions?

Check that the top flange sealing O ring is in place, seated properly and that the flange screws are tight.
If reducing the water inlet flow does not help, then you can try installing means to partially restrict the air at the air port (like an adjustable valve installed at the skimmate drain or optimally at the air vent of a waste collector).