ETSS Skimmer Club! - Page 12

jdieck · 03/20/2009, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ostrow
I don't even understand what you are talking about yasmar but great that it is working.

If the diameter of the hose to drain the skimmate from the collection cup is too small it acts to restrict the outflow of air which collapses the foam column.
Similar to what you are doing when restricting the vent from the waste collector.

saltydog1 · 03/20/2009, 09:34 PM

Glad you got it figured out.

jdieck · 03/20/2009, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jdieck
If the diameter of the hose to drain the skimmate from the collection cup is too small it acts to restrict the outflow of air which collapses the foam column.
Similar to what you are doing when restricting the vent from the waste collector.

Forgot to mention that the smae thing could happen if the hose draining the skimmate into a waste collection container is too tighttly inserted in the container wall/cap and the container is not vented so the skimmer air has nowere to go.

jmsalt1 · 03/20/2009, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ostrow jmsalt it may be the foods you are using. I can tell you after feeding a piece of Rod's food that is the size of a half dollar, I get thick skimming after maybe 30min every time. [/B]

Could be the food. I can understand the reaction with Selcon being added but straight up Life Line Herbivore Minced putting the skimmer on the sidelines for hours is a bit concerning. I may pick up some Rod's Food from Glen at Advanced as I believe he carries it locally. Nice to see Rod's Food is made just down state in Dekalb!

jmsalt1 · 03/22/2009, 07:19 PM

Well, I made a minor modification to my SB 40 skimmer that I wanted to pass along to others using this skimmer or those that may be looking at purchasing one. This mod was based on something Mojo did to his while he owned it and reviewed it. I drilled a small 3/8" hole (two would probably be fine too) in the collection cup lid. I did this because I noticed the cap "popping" just a bit at times even though my drain hose coming off the collection cup is sized properly and is draining off just fine. You can feel the air coming through the hole in the lid. After drilling the hole I do think the skimmer has performed better although that could also be the fact that it has broken in completely. I don't have a heavily stocked tank by any means which may be the reason the skimmer takes some time to kick back in after feeding. Not sure as time will tell. Overall, this skimmer is a drastic improvement over the old box type Reef Devil II I was running and is a good value. I'm running it in about 5 1/2" of water which shows how versatile it is since it can run in up to 11" as well. Curious where others running the SB 40 are keeping the water level within the skimmer itself. Mine is about 1" or so below the box (where the box ends and the riser begins).

shleprock30 · 03/23/2009, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by jmsalt1
Well, I made a minor modification to my SB 40 skimmer that I wanted to pass along to others using this skimmer or those that may be looking at purchasing one. This mod was based on something Mojo did to his while he owned it and reviewed it. I drilled a small 3/8" hole (two would probably be fine too) in the collection cup lid. .

Since drilling the lid do you still have enough back pressure to kill the foam head if the skimmer goes nuts.

I have my waste container built so if enough waste builds up it submerges the hose and the back pressure causes the head to collapse and stop foaming, this saved me from an overflow one day also kept my salinity from getting all out of whack.

I run mine in about 7in of water and it does great, and I agree about it being much better then the Square Box Reef Devil, I have one of those also.

jmsalt1 · 03/23/2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by shleprock30
Since drilling the lid do you still have enough back pressure to kill the foam head if the skimmer goes nuts.

I have my waste container built so if enough waste builds up it submerges the hose and the back pressure causes the head to collapse and stop foaming, this saved me from an overflow one day also kept my salinity from getting all out of whack.

I run mine in about 7in of water and it does great, and I agree about it being much better then the Square Box Reef Devil, I have one of those also.

Good point and it looks like we have some experience with the same skimmers (smaller AE-Tech models). I had the same initial thought about drilling the lid when I read that Mojo had done that and here is what I found. Upon initial start-up less than a month ago on the SB-40 I did have it go nuts and overflow my waste collection container upon initial break in before I had drilled the hole in the lid. My approach was the same as both of us have done in the past with the Reef Devil, the drain hose from the collection cup would become submerged in my waste container and the back pressure would do exactly as you state, the head would collapse and stop foaming, giving me a chance to empty it and make the appropriate adjustment. The reason this worked on my box style Reef Devil II is that the lid was a nice tight fit on the collection cup and the pump couldn't pop it up when that back pressure was being created. On the SB-40 the lid just rests loosely on the top of the collection cup (cost cutting and less clearance for under the tank installations?) so when that back pressure is created it just pushes the lid up letting the air escape and the skimmer keeps going and does make a mess. Fortunately, my skimmer is in an aquarium room with an epoxy floor and a floor drain nearby so no real damage done. If the skimmer was under the tank, I would have had a real mess. The most complex and reliable way to avoid such a mess would be to install a level sensor on the waste container that would kill the skimmer if it were reached with fluid. Alternatively, one could tape the lid down or find an alternative way to keep it firmly in place to help create the back pressure needed to kill it and keep it from overflowing the waste container. Finally, it might not have overflowed if the hose was deeper in the waste collection container as mine only becomes submerged in about 2-3 inches of skimmate before it starts overflowing the container. I think having the hose lower in the container might have made a difference but can't be sure. At a minimum, it would have bought me a little more time.

With regards to salinity, I check my tank room twice daily, if not more frequently and at the rate this skimmer operates, it would really need to go over the top crazy to make this a problem. I will probably lengthen the hose a bit as a preventative measure.

shleprock30 · 03/24/2009, 01:43 PM

Yep, same skimmers.

On my SB40 the lid fits really snug, I actually have to work to get it off most times when I clean it.

I can see the reasoning if the lid is loose fitting, I was actually relieved when mine went nuts that time and it killed the foam head. I have my hose about 1/2 way down a gallon container.

My ATO is 5 gallons and on a 37gal plus a 10gal sump it would make a huge difference in salinity if the skimmer flooded and cause all the topoff water to go in.

hottuna · 03/24/2009, 03:27 PM

my sb lid is loose...fwiw...

drpo21 · 03/29/2009, 09:02 PM

would u guys recommend a sb-40 for a 70 gallon sps tank? I was thinking about going nw (msx 160) but I found a good price on a sb-40 system that is built into a sump. I'd be saving some money doing it this way, but i don't want to jeopardize the quality of the water. any thoughts?

Iostream · 03/29/2009, 09:15 PM

The sb-40 built in is the protean 400, it will be more than enough for a 70G SPS tank.

jmsalt1 · 03/29/2009, 09:38 PM

drpo21,

If you are getting a good deal on it and can easily switch over to another skimmer in the future based on your set-up, I don't think you have anything to lose. If you find it not performing to your standards, you can probably sell it for about what you pay for it assuming you are getting it at a good price compared to paying retail. I am using one and am pleased with it although my tank is not a heavily stocked SPS tank. I would not be surprised to see it perform even better on your tank as there will be more to pull out making it work pretty consistently to remove skimmate. I'd run it with a MAG 9.5 not a 7 IMHO. I think this is a nice skimmer due to its overall footprint which is desirable for under the tank installations where space is at a premium.

Jeff

drpo21 · 03/29/2009, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Iostream
The sb-40 built in is the protean 400, it will be more than enough for a 70G SPS tank.

yea thats it. the protean 400. I think i might go with that setup over a msx160. any other thoughts?

drpo21 · 03/29/2009, 09:47 PM

jmsalt, well that's the thing, the protean 400 has the sb 40 built in. so i wouldn't be able to sell it later on unless i sell the whole thing. ill be getting the whole setup for the price you would pay for a new sb. which is really good, about half the price. I think im gonna pull the trigger. thanks

jmsalt1 · 03/29/2009, 09:50 PM

Sounds like a plan. Hope it works well for you.

yasmar01 · 04/03/2009, 08:18 PM

well after some time and alot of fiddling around i felt like my skimmer still wasnt skimming up to par. so i broke down and reinstalled it outside the sump and man i wish i would have done it sooner. this thing is a beast....thanks for all the help jdieck and eveyone else that tried to help me out im so glad i bought this skimmer

jdieck · 04/03/2009, 09:35 PM

vls4330 · 04/05/2009, 10:26 PM

can the ETS800 be used as external skimmer

jdieck · 04/05/2009, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by vls4330
can the ETS800 be used as external skimmer

Yes it can:

vls4330 · 04/06/2009, 05:00 PM

jdieck,
Do i need to drill a hole in my sump or can the pump be in my sump with the plumbing over the edge of the sump. also i was thinking of getting the 800 model but it looks like the 900 model is cheaper. i have the room for the larger one. which one would be better?

diverdick · 04/06/2009, 05:09 PM

Over the edge is better IMO. That approach removes all pressure from the submerged skimmer return

ostrow · 04/06/2009, 05:35 PM

As long as your pump can handle the head pressure it doesn't matter really. An external pump is going to be better in that it won't heat your tank up a ton.

If you mean the skimmer outlet, you can have the skimmer external and have it raised so that the outlet goes down. You don't want a significant up on the outlet.

I'd definitely go for the 900 if you can. The taller downdraft is the way to go!

vls4330 · 04/06/2009, 05:45 PM

thanks!! for the info

jdieck · 04/06/2009, 09:58 PM

I would not recommend a submersible pump as none of the ones I know are pressure rated for a downdraft skimmer regardless of the rated flow.
This means drilling at least one hole for the pump. The skimmer can be in a stand outside the sump with the outlet draining down into the sump over the side but not directed upward and then downward. For the 900 I would recommend an iwaki 55 RLT pump, to avoid cavitation and maintain full pump performance I would advise using a 1-1/4 inlet pipe diameter (1"minimum if you can't find 1-1/4" bulkheads) reduce to 3/4" at the pump inlet and for the discharge use a diameter of 3/4" hose minimum.

bhdmc · 04/07/2009, 03:12 PM

I was about to give up on my 700 ETSS skimmer, when it finally started to produce skimmate. For some unknown reason, it stopped producing skimmate and then it took 6 weeks before it started again. Did not do anything to it. Go figure. I purchase a new skimmer and waiting until it breaks in. Going to go with the new skimmer for my tank. It is a NW type and got a great deal on it.

03/20/2009, 09:34 PM	#277
saltydog1 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Southeast, TN Posts: 214 Blog Entries: 1	Glad you got it figured out. __________________ Steve Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer 350 tank , soft coral, ATI T5 6x54w lighting, Vertex Omega 150 skimmer, Tunze Osmolator, Eheim compact+ 3000 return pump, 1 Ecotech MP 40QD, Gyre 130

03/22/2009, 07:19 PM	#280
jmsalt1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 742	SB 40 Update Well, I made a minor modification to my SB 40 skimmer that I wanted to pass along to others using this skimmer or those that may be looking at purchasing one. This mod was based on something Mojo did to his while he owned it and reviewed it. I drilled a small 3/8" hole (two would probably be fine too) in the collection cup lid. I did this because I noticed the cap "popping" just a bit at times even though my drain hose coming off the collection cup is sized properly and is draining off just fine. You can feel the air coming through the hole in the lid. After drilling the hole I do think the skimmer has performed better although that could also be the fact that it has broken in completely. I don't have a heavily stocked tank by any means which may be the reason the skimmer takes some time to kick back in after feeding. Not sure as time will tell. Overall, this skimmer is a drastic improvement over the old box type Reef Devil II I was running and is a good value. I'm running it in about 5 1/2" of water which shows how versatile it is since it can run in up to 11" as well. Curious where others running the SB 40 are keeping the water level within the skimmer itself. Mine is about 1" or so below the box (where the box ends and the riser begins).

03/24/2009, 01:43 PM	#283
shleprock30 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 177	Yep, same skimmers. On my SB40 the lid fits really snug, I actually have to work to get it off most times when I clean it. I can see the reasoning if the lid is loose fitting, I was actually relieved when mine went nuts that time and it killed the foam head. I have my hose about 1/2 way down a gallon container. My ATO is 5 gallons and on a 37gal plus a 10gal sump it would make a huge difference in salinity if the skimmer flooded and cause all the topoff water to go in. __________________ Rick Current Tank Info: Oceanic 37 gal reef. CPR MRT 13 gal. ETSS Sump buddy 40, 175watt MH 14K

03/24/2009, 03:27 PM	#284
hottuna Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,248	my sb lid is loose...fwiw... __________________ HotTuna

03/29/2009, 09:02 PM	#285
drpo21 Reefer Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: North Miami Beach, FL Posts: 909	would u guys recommend a sb-40 for a 70 gallon sps tank? I was thinking about going nw (msx 160) but I found a good price on a sb-40 system that is built into a sump. I'd be saving some money doing it this way, but i don't want to jeopardize the quality of the water. any thoughts? __________________ --Aaron One day I'll have a tank that has sharks with freakin' laser-beams attached to their heads. o_O

03/29/2009, 09:15 PM	#286
Iostream Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Allen, TX Posts: 433	The sb-40 built in is the protean 400, it will be more than enough for a 70G SPS tank. __________________ Click on the little red house to see my 90G build thread. Current Tank Info: Red Sea Max 34G started 9/07 90G Reef Ready restarted 10/11

03/29/2009, 09:38 PM	#287
jmsalt1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 742	drpo21, If you are getting a good deal on it and can easily switch over to another skimmer in the future based on your set-up, I don't think you have anything to lose. If you find it not performing to your standards, you can probably sell it for about what you pay for it assuming you are getting it at a good price compared to paying retail. I am using one and am pleased with it although my tank is not a heavily stocked SPS tank. I would not be surprised to see it perform even better on your tank as there will be more to pull out making it work pretty consistently to remove skimmate. I'd run it with a MAG 9.5 not a 7 IMHO. I think this is a nice skimmer due to its overall footprint which is desirable for under the tank installations where space is at a premium. Jeff

03/29/2009, 09:47 PM	#289
drpo21 Reefer Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: North Miami Beach, FL Posts: 909	jmsalt, well that's the thing, the protean 400 has the sb 40 built in. so i wouldn't be able to sell it later on unless i sell the whole thing. ill be getting the whole setup for the price you would pay for a new sb. which is really good, about half the price. I think im gonna pull the trigger. thanks __________________ --Aaron One day I'll have a tank that has sharks with freakin' laser-beams attached to their heads. o_O

03/29/2009, 09:50 PM	#290
jmsalt1 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Posts: 742	Sounds like a plan. Hope it works well for you.

04/03/2009, 08:18 PM	#291
yasmar01 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: brookfield,ct Posts: 345	well after some time and alot of fiddling around i felt like my skimmer still wasnt skimming up to par. so i broke down and reinstalled it outside the sump and man i wish i would have done it sooner. this thing is a beast....thanks for all the help jdieck and eveyone else that tried to help me out im so glad i bought this skimmer

04/03/2009, 09:35 PM	#292
jdieck Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Maumee, OH Posts: 15,673	__________________ Did I write what I wrote? What the heck am I talking about! Well..... Nevermind. Current Tank Info: 225 gal reef, DSB, 40 g sump w/ LRT100 return, 37 g pre-sump, 3 MH 250 W 15K, 4 96 W PC dual actinic,ETS 1500 Skim.w/LRT70, 20 lb Ca R., 40 W UV, 1/3 HP chiller, two 350 W Htrs, Neptune II Cont., 330 P LR/ 330 P LS. 55 gal Refugium

04/05/2009, 10:26 PM	#293
vls4330 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 56	can the ETS800 be used as external skimmer

04/06/2009, 05:00 PM	#295
vls4330 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 56	jdieck, Do i need to drill a hole in my sump or can the pump be in my sump with the plumbing over the edge of the sump. also i was thinking of getting the 800 model but it looks like the 900 model is cheaper. i have the room for the larger one. which one would be better?

04/06/2009, 05:09 PM	#296
diverdick Registered Member. Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Canandaigua, NY Posts: 1,183 Blog Entries: 1	Over the edge is better IMO. That approach removes all pressure from the submerged skimmer return

04/06/2009, 05:35 PM	#297
ostrow It's Dr. Goodluck Himself Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Oak Park, IL Posts: 11,654	As long as your pump can handle the head pressure it doesn't matter really. An external pump is going to be better in that it won't heat your tank up a ton. If you mean the skimmer outlet, you can have the skimmer external and have it raised so that the outlet goes down. You don't want a significant up on the outlet. I'd definitely go for the 900 if you can. The taller downdraft is the way to go! __________________ It's the return of Dr. Goodluck Himself. fml! Current Tank Info: 156G "brick", 150 sump and 75 fuge replaces Fire, Destruction, Sad :(

04/06/2009, 05:45 PM	#298
vls4330 Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 56	thanks!! for the info

04/06/2009, 09:58 PM	#299
jdieck Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Maumee, OH Posts: 15,673	I would not recommend a submersible pump as none of the ones I know are pressure rated for a downdraft skimmer regardless of the rated flow. This means drilling at least one hole for the pump. The skimmer can be in a stand outside the sump with the outlet draining down into the sump over the side but not directed upward and then downward. For the 900 I would recommend an iwaki 55 RLT pump, to avoid cavitation and maintain full pump performance I would advise using a 1-1/4 inlet pipe diameter (1"minimum if you can't find 1-1/4" bulkheads) reduce to 3/4" at the pump inlet and for the discharge use a diameter of 3/4" hose minimum. __________________ Did I write what I wrote? What the heck am I talking about! Well..... Nevermind. Current Tank Info: 225 gal reef, DSB, 40 g sump w/ LRT100 return, 37 g pre-sump, 3 MH 250 W 15K, 4 96 W PC dual actinic,ETS 1500 Skim.w/LRT70, 20 lb Ca R., 40 W UV, 1/3 HP chiller, two 350 W Htrs, Neptune II Cont., 330 P LR/ 330 P LS. 55 gal Refugium Last edited by jdieck; 04/06/2009 at 10:04 PM.

04/07/2009, 03:12 PM	#300
bhdmc Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: New York Posts: 956	I was about to give up on my 700 ETSS skimmer, when it finally started to produce skimmate. For some unknown reason, it stopped producing skimmate and then it took 6 weeks before it started again. Did not do anything to it. Go figure. I purchase a new skimmer and waiting until it breaks in. Going to go with the new skimmer for my tank. It is a NW type and got a great deal on it.