ETSS Skimmer Club!

[Zagzoo71]

Originally Posted by rigleautomotive

Ok think i got this skimmer tweeked in:



Is this ok? or too dry foam?

thanks!

[llebcire]

I've been running the Reef Devil Deluxe on a Mag7 for quite a while and have always gotten moderate production (watery).

I cleaned it last Thursday and finally did with the tuning guide says for low output pumps - reduce the # of bioballs. Current setup doesn't allow an adequate external pump.

Went from 12 to 9 and the output is very dark and nasty. Hope it keeps this up!

3days:





-Eric

[reefernutz]

Originally Posted by Gill_bucket

So I am trying to figure out if this an older reef devil? I picked up a blueline 30 to power it and I have to throttle it way back.

I just got this same skimmer and I have a couple of questions. First, what size and how many bio-balls should this have in it. Also, what pump should I use with it?

[bif24701]

Ok, I had been running my sump buddy 40 with the Rio 2000 it came with but I've swapped it out for a mag 7. How many bio balls should I be using? I have seven. Also, is bigger better as I also have a mag 9.5 I could through on it if it'll help production?

[Iostream]

For the Protean 400 system, I went through the same steps. The mag 7 will make a big difference. The Mag 9.5 will also make a big difference. I found the best number of bio-balls was 10, but YMMV. With the Mag 9 and 10 bio-balls I have been happy with the protean system.

[jmsalt1]

bif24 - I always ran my SB-40 with a Mag 9.5 but since you own both, you could try the 7 and if you don't like it, try the 9.5 to see if it is better. I seem to remember running fewer bioballs helped with skimmate production as well. Cant recall the exact number I was using when I had it working to my liking but somewhere in that 8-10 range sounds about right. I have an old SB-40 sale thread out there. If anyone is interesed, I never sold it and it is still for sale. I still have a Mag 9.5 to go with it. Both all cleaned up and ready to ship.

[bif24701]

Ok, so ill put the 9.5 on the skimmer and put the mag 7 on the return. I think I have to much flow through the Protein sump anyway, microbubbles. I don't have any more of the small bio balls. Could I just use regular bio balls instead?

[bif24701]

This is the action I'm getting right now with the mag 7 and 7 bio balls. What do you think? Does it look right?

[bif24701]

Bump

[reefernutz]

Originally Posted by bif24701

This is the action I'm getting right now with the mag 7 and 7 bio balls. What do you think? Does it look right?

Looks like it's skimming well. Do you find it does better with fewer bioballs?

[bif24701]

I'm not sure, it has taken a lot of time for me to really get it dialed in mostly becuase its my first skimmer. Each morning though I lose my foam head, don't understand why.


I made this trap to keep the skimmer area stable and removed my filter bag to make the skimmer get raw water and the bag kept blocking the gate valve case they were to big.

[reefernutz]

That trap is a great idea.......I may just have to steal it!!

I have an older Reef Devil 40 and just can't get it to foam. I think I may be using the wrong sized bioballs. How high up the riser tube do the bioballs go?

[bif24701]

About 3/4, the Sump Buddy uses the small bio balls. Don't know what should be used with the reef devil.

[bif24701]

Originally Posted by reefernutz

That trap is a great idea.......I may just have to steal it!!

I have an older Reef Devil 40 and just can't get it to foam. I think I may be using the wrong sized bioballs. How high up the riser tube do the bioballs go?

I like to soak my bio balls on vinegar for a hour or so and that seems to help out.

[bif24701]

Why does my skimmer lose its foam every morning for hours? Is this common for ETSS skimmer or all skimmer? Is there something I can do about this? Frustrating.

[bif24701]

Bump

[JasonD]

Question regarding the Reef Devil. I'm currently running a good 22 inch Venturi skimmer on my 120 gallon mixed reef. I'm using a mag 9.5 to power it. Im thinking of switching to the reef devil to see if it out performs it or maybe the evo 250. Can both of these skimmers be outside the sump? Also do you think they would out perform my life reef 22 inch Venturi skimmer?

[jmsalt1]

No selling allowed outside of designated forums.

[docbattysreef]

Originally Posted by bif24701

Why does my skimmer lose its foam every morning for hours? Is this common for ETSS skimmer or all skimmer? Is there something I can do about this? Frustrating.

Yes. It is common for downdraft skimmers. Feeding and sticking your hands in the water release oils that temporarily stop the skimmer from producing foam. Keeping your bioballs clean or preferably replacing them from time to time greatly reduces this effect. Here is a pic of mine with 10 bioballs and a mag 7.

[bif24701]

Originally Posted by docbattysreef

Yes. It is common for downdraft skimmers. Feeding and sticking your hands in the water release oils that temporarily stop the skimmer from producing foam. Keeping your bioballs clean or preferably replacing them from time to time greatly reduces this effect. Here is a pic of mine with 10 biob alls and a mag 7.

I recently went from 7 bio balls to 3 and its skimming better than ever! Couldn't be happier at this point. Had the skimmer almost a year, and never got this nice dark skimmate. I think my main problem was my filter bag would block the exit gate of the skimmer raising the water level thus causing it to over flow from time to time. No more filter bags.


http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMAG0694.jpg

[docbattysreef]

Originally Posted by bif24701

I recently went from 7 bio balls to 3 and its skimming better than ever! Couldn't be happier at this point. Had the skimmer almost a year, and never got this nice dark skimmate. I think my main problem was my filter bag would block the exit gate of the skimmer raising the water level thus causing it to over flow from time to time. No more filter bags.


http://i1198.photobucket.com/albums/...n/IMAG0694.jpg

Looks Great! The Protean 400 AIO Sump is a really nice system. I just found this thread and I'm glad to see there are still fans of downdraft skimmers. There seems to be a perception in the hobby that downdraft skimmers are inferior to needle wheel skimmers and this simply is not true.

[ktg113]

ok how do i need to have my skimmer set up

i belive it is a older etss 800 dual downdraft

i have a little giant 3mdx feeding it and the out put sits right at the water level in the sump.

i am not getting a dark skim it is a very watery one


i also loose my foam from now and then but i thought this could be my ato dumping fresh water in right on top of the skimmer input

i have it running on a 180 mixed with a 55 sump any info would help

thanks

what do i need to do tog et a nice dark foam

[ktg113]

Bump


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[bif24701]

Originally Posted by ktg113

ok how do i need to have my skimmer set up

i belive it is a older etss 800 dual downdraft

i have a little giant 3mdx feeding it and the out put sits right at the water level in the sump.

i am not getting a dark skim it is a very watery one


i also loose my foam from now and then but i thought this could be my ato dumping fresh water in right on top of the skimmer input

i have it running on a 180 mixed with a 55 sump any info would help

thanks

what do i need to do tog et a nice dark foam

Start by changing to out put of your ATO. Is your skimmer getting raw overflow water from you display tank, ie before a refugium? Are your overflows skimming the surface of your DT well. Is there a film? How many bio balls are in each downdraft? Are they new bio balls? I would raise the skimmer so that's its output is just above the water level in your sump. Let's see a pic of you skimmer and skimmate.

[gchaney]

I also have an older etss 800 and the most helpful thing so far was putting a valve on the air intakes and reducing the air flow until the bubbles get small. since I have done that it doesn't drop out when i feed or add water etc.