ETSS Skimmer Club! - Page 25

jkeeton · 12/23/2009, 06:30 PM

I am still hanging in there, this thing is frustrating

jjk_reef00 · 12/23/2009, 07:21 PM

It shouldn't be hard to use these skimmers if you have the right pump on it. The only problem I had was the bio-balls were clogged in the downdraft tubes. I had to knock them loose with a broomstick, and my skimmer was upside down.

I would call ETSS and ask what flow rate at what head pressure the skimmer needs to operate at. They will give you x gallons at y head (in ft or psi). Then look at flowcharts of your pumps to see what you are getting.

These are great skimmers once you have them setup correctly. Good luck, and happy holidays.

jjk_reef00 · 12/23/2009, 11:41 PM

Here is my ETSS 5000 next to my tank. The gf hasn't moved in yet so I can make a big mess

I was thinking about getting the extension neck just to see what kind of difference it makes.

CryptoFusion · 12/30/2009, 09:43 AM

Cool setup jjk. Thanks for posting the pic!

polywise · 12/31/2009, 05:36 AM

side question about ETSS1000
Can these sucessfully be run being fed from the return line (gravity feed )from a aquarium?

Water will be coming from tank on main floor to skimmer in basement

diverdick · 12/31/2009, 06:00 AM

I would bet not

rigleautomotive · 12/31/2009, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polywise

side question about ETSS1000
Can these sucessfully be run being fed from the return line (gravity feed )from a aquarium?

Water will be coming from tank on main floor to skimmer in basement

No ,they need to be fed by a pressure rated pump for the injector to work properly.

CryptoFusion · 12/31/2009, 09:18 AM

From my understanding they need to be force fed via pressure to create the foam, so i don't think anything gravity fed will work.

polywise · 12/31/2009, 09:33 AM

OK -- I figured it needed preasure through the fitting to create the down draft, and was hoping to get away from using a extra pump to power the skimmer.

thanks.

TomToro · 01/03/2010, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkeeton

anyone running the etss 1400 where are you running your water level in the tube to get propper skimming. I have tried it in several different spots but cant seem to find that sweet spot. Also you have a problem with it shutting down at times?

I just cant seem to get mine set up right, and its been running for about 3 weeks now and I am getting very little out of it.

thanks

I'm running my 1400 with a Panworld 250, with the level about an inch below the top of the mixing box. Within a minute or two, it starts foaming up the tower. When I first got this skimmer, I tried putting the water level at 1" above the mixing box and into the first tower. The skimmer didn't start working until I adjusted the level to below the mixing box top.

I also incorporate a 1" vertical pipe between the skimmer outlet and the tank. This increased my foam production in all three of my etss'. I also have gate valves on this vertical pipe because I need to throttle it down to keep the foam drier.

I have a 350 gal system with a huge bioload (lots of large tangs) and this skimmer puts out about 2.5gal per week of black gunk. hth

diverdick · 01/03/2010, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomToro

I'm running my 1400 with a Panworld 250, with the level about an inch below the top of the mixing box. Within a minute or two, it starts foaming up the tower. When I first got this skimmer, I tried putting the water level at 1" above the mixing box and into the first tower. The skimmer didn't start working until I adjusted the level to below the mixing box top.

I also incorporate a 1" vertical pipe between the skimmer outlet and the tank. This increased my foam production in all three of my etss'. I also have gate valves on this vertical pipe because I need to throttle it down to keep the foam drier.

I have a 350 gal system with a huge bioload (lots of large tangs) and this skimmer puts out about 2.5gal per week of black gunk. hth

Can you include a picture of this added valving? I think I can picture it but would rather see it live and nationwide.

TomToro · 01/03/2010, 09:01 AM

Hey Rich,
Here's a couple. I hope it shows enough of the vent pipe.

This is the 800 on my 135, with an Iwaki 55. I've since added another one with an Iwaki 70 that kicks butt. In the future if I see a 1400 for sale, I'll sell these two and buy a 1400 with an Iwaki 100 or equivalent.

Here's the 1400 on my 240g with a Panworld. KInd of hard to see the vent pipe, but it's got a red handled ball valve on the top of it behind the fan. Notice the foam rubber in the air intakes? I had to do that initially to keep the foam out of the cup until I replaced the ball valve with a gate valve that can be adjusted better. I also added 3 bioballs to each tower to keep the foam denser and now I don't use the foam rubber to slow the air intake.

That's 2 days after cleaning that beast. Best skimmer I've ever owned and I've owned a lot of 'em.

diverdick · 01/03/2010, 09:12 AM

I like the 1400 too, always looking for better set up approaches though. I am curious on the vent piping ball valve. What is its purpose again? Do you restrict air into the drain?

rigleautomotive · 01/03/2010, 09:17 AM

I believe that would be to stop the siphoning effect.if it siphons it will drain the mixing box at times and become very unstable,in essence a durso stand pipe

diverdick · 01/03/2010, 09:32 AM

I see, the installation pictured has no gate valve on the return flow. I see now. I use the OEM gate supplied valve and achieve the same affect on flow control.

TomToro · 01/03/2010, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rigleautomotive

I believe that would be to stop the siphoning effect.if it siphons it will drain the mixing box at times and become very unstable,in essence a durso stand pipe

I agree with you. It does make some noise in that pipe like the durso in my overflows, but much louder. All I know is I can drastically reduce the foam production if I cap this pipe completely and can adjust the foam more effectively (using the gate valve on it) than by using the gate valve that comes with the skimmer. Not to mention, I pretty much run my skimmers wide open any way.

llebcire · 01/03/2010, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjk_reef00

Don't ever power your etss with a mag, because mags are not pressure rated! Contact ETSS to find the target water flow at a specific head.

I beg to differ...at least on the smaller skimmers.

ETSS suggests a Mag7 for the Reef Devil, and while the Iwaki 20 RLT or Blue Line 20HD may be superior pumps, I wouldn't think it would be good for business for ETSS to suggest a pump that prevents the skimmer from operating.

In my situation, I don't have room for an external pump so I'm limited to the Mag7.

Here's my skimmer driven by a Mag7. This is about 5 days production and I clean the mud from the neck every 7-10 days and loosen the bioballs at the same time:

-Eric

TomToro · 01/03/2010, 02:10 PM

Wow, I stand corrected. That's really working well for you. I guess I personally wouldn't use anything but a pressure rated pump for the size skimmers I have. I'm really surprised a mag can run an etss. Proof is in the pics, though.

ETSS suggests a Mag7 for the Reef Devil, and while the Iwaki 20 RLT or Blue Line 20HD may be superior pumps, I wouldn't think it would be good for business for ETSS to suggest a pump that prevents the skimmer from operating.

In my situation, I don't have room for an external pump so I'm limited to the Mag7.

Here's my skimmer driven by a Mag7. This is about 5 days production and I clean the mud from the neck every 7-10 days and loosen the bioballs at the same time:

-Eric[/QUOTE]

llebcire · 01/03/2010, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomToro

Wow, I stand corrected. That's really working well for you. I guess I personally wouldn't use anything but a pressure rated pump for the size skimmers I have. I'm really surprised a mag can run an etss. Proof is in the pics, though.

No reason to stand corrected - ETSS does suggest a Mag pump, but only in the smaller models...most of the discussion in this thread has been for the larger skimmers.

-Eric

TomToro · 01/03/2010, 08:00 PM

Thanks for the support, Eric.

Alex T. · 01/09/2010, 10:09 PM

I have an evolution 500 on my 150 sps that for the last 6 months has been pulling the nastiest dark green crud. In the last 2 weeks, it can barely create a head of foam that spills over the cup. It's powered by an Iwaki 20 rlt (per Gary's recommendation). I have started dripping kalk in conjunction with topoff. Could kalkwasser be hindering skimmate production? My tank actually looks just as clean and clear as before. I doubt it has nothing to skim, as I have 14 fish that are fed 5 cubes a day. Confused. Please help.

ostrow · 01/09/2010, 10:26 PM

Is the skimmer clean (meaning the chambers and neck leading into the cup), and the bio-balls clean and untangled?

Alex T. · 01/09/2010, 11:46 PM

yes, they're clean. Simply no foam

iLLwiLL · 01/14/2010, 09:32 AM

Would a sump buddy 40 work well on a 35 gallon system? I'm looking for ways to save some space in the sump and I really like the footprint of these. I am planning on running it with a mag 18 hooked to a manifold also running a closed loop and a media reactor. The tank is a 25, with a 20T sump . . . any thoughts?

~Will.

Alex T. · 01/14/2010, 02:41 PM

Still having some issues creating a consistent foam tower in my Evolution 500. The tank is over 6 months old now, but I've noticed I am simply not creating the dark, foul, froth that I have been up until now. Do skimmers reach an equilibrium where the tank simply doesn't have as much to skim? I've also noticed that ETSS recommends 4 more bioballs than this skimmer came with brand new. After speaking with Gary at AETech he told me those instructions were old and that I would be fine. Should I order more bioballs and include the "recommended" amounts? Do more bioballs in the tower create more foam?

Please, downdraft gurus....help!!

12/31/2009, 05:36 AM	#605
polywise OLD SCHOOL-ish Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Somers, NY Posts: 889	side question about ETSS1000 Can these sucessfully be run being fed from the return line (gravity feed )from a aquarium? Water will be coming from tank on main floor to skimmer in basement __________________ Jim C.

12/31/2009, 09:33 AM	#609
polywise OLD SCHOOL-ish Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Somers, NY Posts: 889	OK -- I figured it needed preasure through the fitting to create the down draft, and was hoping to get away from using a extra pump to power the skimmer. thanks. __________________ Jim C.

01/03/2010, 09:17 AM	#614
rigleautomotive Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northeast Pennsylvania Posts: 3,705	I believe that would be to stop the siphoning effect.if it siphons it will drain the mixing box at times and become very unstable,in essence a durso stand pipe __________________ Dan Rigle President, * Reef Conservation Society TOTM December 2010 Coral Magazine Sept/Oct 2012 Current Tank Info: 180 gal SPS dominated display, 3 X 250 watt Radiums , lumenarc III minis , with VHO actinics, ETS downdraft skimmers, closed loops and 2 Tunze 6105 & 7095 controller,DIY calcium reactors DIY custom built sumps,since 1992

01/09/2010, 10:26 PM	#622
ostrow It's Dr. Goodluck Himself Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Oak Park, IL Posts: 11,654	Is the skimmer clean (meaning the chambers and neck leading into the cup), and the bio-balls clean and untangled? __________________ It's the return of Dr. Goodluck Himself. fml! Current Tank Info: 156G "brick", 150 sump and 75 fuge replaces Fire, Destruction, Sad :(

12/23/2009, 06:30 PM	#601
jkeeton Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 50	I am still hanging in there, this thing is frustrating

12/23/2009, 07:21 PM	#602
jjk_reef00 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,476	It shouldn't be hard to use these skimmers if you have the right pump on it. The only problem I had was the bio-balls were clogged in the downdraft tubes. I had to knock them loose with a broomstick, and my skimmer was upside down. I would call ETSS and ask what flow rate at what head pressure the skimmer needs to operate at. They will give you x gallons at y head (in ft or psi). Then look at flowcharts of your pumps to see what you are getting. These are great skimmers once you have them setup correctly. Good luck, and happy holidays.

12/23/2009, 11:41 PM	#603
jjk_reef00 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 3,476	Here is my ETSS 5000 next to my tank. The gf hasn't moved in yet so I can make a big mess I was thinking about getting the extension neck just to see what kind of difference it makes.

12/30/2009, 09:43 AM	#604
CryptoFusion Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Iowa Posts: 62	Cool setup jjk. Thanks for posting the pic!

12/31/2009, 06:00 AM	#606
diverdick Registered Member. Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Canandaigua, NY Posts: 1,183 Blog Entries: 1	I would bet not

12/31/2009, 09:18 AM	#608
CryptoFusion Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Iowa Posts: 62	From my understanding they need to be force fed via pressure to create the foam, so i don't think anything gravity fed will work.

01/03/2010, 09:01 AM	#612
TomToro Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Milford Michigan Posts: 251	Hey Rich, Here's a couple. I hope it shows enough of the vent pipe. This is the 800 on my 135, with an Iwaki 55. I've since added another one with an Iwaki 70 that kicks butt. In the future if I see a 1400 for sale, I'll sell these two and buy a 1400 with an Iwaki 100 or equivalent. Here's the 1400 on my 240g with a Panworld. KInd of hard to see the vent pipe, but it's got a red handled ball valve on the top of it behind the fan. Notice the foam rubber in the air intakes? I had to do that initially to keep the foam out of the cup until I replaced the ball valve with a gate valve that can be adjusted better. I also added 3 bioballs to each tower to keep the foam denser and now I don't use the foam rubber to slow the air intake. That's 2 days after cleaning that beast. Best skimmer I've ever owned and I've owned a lot of 'em.

01/03/2010, 09:12 AM	#613
diverdick Registered Member. Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Canandaigua, NY Posts: 1,183 Blog Entries: 1	I like the 1400 too, always looking for better set up approaches though. I am curious on the vent piping ball valve. What is its purpose again? Do you restrict air into the drain?

01/03/2010, 09:32 AM	#615
diverdick Registered Member. Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Canandaigua, NY Posts: 1,183 Blog Entries: 1	I see, the installation pictured has no gate valve on the return flow. I see now. I use the OEM gate supplied valve and achieve the same affect on flow control.

01/03/2010, 02:10 PM	#618
TomToro Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Milford Michigan Posts: 251	Wow, I stand corrected. That's really working well for you. I guess I personally wouldn't use anything but a pressure rated pump for the size skimmers I have. I'm really surprised a mag can run an etss. Proof is in the pics, though. ETSS suggests a Mag7 for the Reef Devil, and while the Iwaki 20 RLT or Blue Line 20HD may be superior pumps, I wouldn't think it would be good for business for ETSS to suggest a pump that prevents the skimmer from operating. In my situation, I don't have room for an external pump so I'm limited to the Mag7. Here's my skimmer driven by a Mag7. This is about 5 days production and I clean the mud from the neck every 7-10 days and loosen the bioballs at the same time: -Eric[/QUOTE]

01/03/2010, 08:00 PM	#620
TomToro Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Milford Michigan Posts: 251	Thanks for the support, Eric.

01/09/2010, 10:09 PM	#621
Alex T. Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,803	I have an evolution 500 on my 150 sps that for the last 6 months has been pulling the nastiest dark green crud. In the last 2 weeks, it can barely create a head of foam that spills over the cup. It's powered by an Iwaki 20 rlt (per Gary's recommendation). I have started dripping kalk in conjunction with topoff. Could kalkwasser be hindering skimmate production? My tank actually looks just as clean and clear as before. I doubt it has nothing to skim, as I have 14 fish that are fed 5 cubes a day. Confused. Please help.

01/09/2010, 11:46 PM	#623
Alex T. Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,803	yes, they're clean. Simply no foam

01/14/2010, 09:32 AM	#624
iLLwiLL Codename: Dutchess Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: the danger zone Posts: 933	Would a sump buddy 40 work well on a 35 gallon system? I'm looking for ways to save some space in the sump and I really like the footprint of these. I am planning on running it with a mag 18 hooked to a manifold also running a closed loop and a media reactor. The tank is a 25, with a 20T sump . . . any thoughts? ~Will.

01/14/2010, 02:41 PM	#625
Alex T. Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,803	Still having some issues creating a consistent foam tower in my Evolution 500. The tank is over 6 months old now, but I've noticed I am simply not creating the dark, foul, froth that I have been up until now. Do skimmers reach an equilibrium where the tank simply doesn't have as much to skim? I've also noticed that ETSS recommends 4 more bioballs than this skimmer came with brand new. After speaking with Gary at AETech he told me those instructions were old and that I would be fine. Should I order more bioballs and include the "recommended" amounts? Do more bioballs in the tower create more foam? Please, downdraft gurus....help!!