ETSS Skimmer Club!

[yudruln8]

hi I just bought this skimmer from a guy can anyone tell me what the min and max water level should be set at I believe its a etss quad 1800 xr

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[mwb32]

I would direct you to the ETSS website but it seems the AE Tech website is gone. I know that with my ETSS 600 The water level was set on the sump at the height of the black box. I would say that the water level should be the same on your 1800. With a skimmer that big most have it outside the sump and have seen some that are elevated above the sump. Again, if you are gonna put it in a sump would try and keep it with the water no higher than the top of the box. So if your box is 9" tall wouldnt have it in water above that...Hope that helps. Just a side note you probably need some New Bio Balls and Bulk Reef supply has the Correct style balls. The balls wear out in a year or so and need replaced. With that size skimmer you will also need a large HP pump I would guess a 100 Iwaki or so......

[Dashiki]

Set the top of the black box to the height of your sump level.

When the pump is on set it to have the water level 1" up from the base into the cylinder.

Once it is broken in make very slight 1/8th turns then monitor.

Check daily for skimmate production.

Don't go too fast or you will cause a flood. Once set it never needs adjusting.

[bayoupr]

Should be run out of the sump. Turn the pump on and set the water level 1/2 - 1" above the top of the black box. Let run for at least 24hrs before making any adjustments.

[yudruln8]

awesome thanks guys it will be out of the sump its just too big i will look into the bioballs thanks agian

[yudruln8]

ok i setup the skimmer and im using a mag 2400 is this pump strong enough? i get bubbles on the chambers but very little in the center i notice about a half hour of runner i began to see more bubbles enter the center but nothing like the sides

[bif24701]

Can not make anything out from the pictures, some are blank. Give it a few days to start foaming, and make small adjustments. If you go to far could flood.

[yudruln8]

srry dont know why they loaded so big did you watch the video? i didnt think it was enough so i put a t on my hammerhead pump with the big wheel it does 5800gph i have valve to return and to skimmer skimmer is all the way open and my return is about half maybe less then that its better but not what i see in some poepls videos maybe it needs to break in i'll put a video of the bigger pump

[Dashiki]

you need a pressure rated pump.

I run my etss on a pan world 100px external pump.

They have high head pressure but low flow.

the mag drive pumps and the hammerhead are flow pumps so they will not work correctly.

[yudruln8]

Originally Posted by Dashiki

you need a pressure rated pump.

I run my etss on a pan world 100px external pump.

They have high head pressure but low flow.

the mag drive pumps and the hammerhead are flow pumps so they will not work correctly.

wow i thought the hammerhead would be enough what pumps can i use without breaking my bank

[bif24701]

yea, the problem is the bubbles are going back up the downdraft, not down and then up the colum. get another pump as recommened.

[yudruln8]

what about the bio balls how many are you supose to have is the more better or the less im trying to find where i read that answer at

[bif24701]

more balls, less air. less balls, more air. I think your good, just need a different pump.

[Bilk]

Originally Posted by yudruln8

ok i setup the skimmer and im using a mag 2400 is this pump strong enough? i get bubbles on the chambers but very little in the center i notice about a half hour of runner i began to see more bubbles enter the center but nothing like the sides

I think you need a pretty large dedicated, pressure rated pump for that. I have an 800xr and run an Iwaki MD-RLT100 with it. That's a bit oversized as they call for a 70, but having good results with the Iwaki.

[yudruln8]

i have a pool pump its a 1hp i think it would be perfect but the problem is its gets hot and rises my tank about 4 degress thats no good i dont have a chiller my tanks stay around 80-81 but that pump mad it do to 84ish area no good

[yudruln8]

went ahead and bought a iwaki 100rlt pump lets see whats up

[bif24701]

Originally Posted by yudruln8

went ahead and bought a iwaki 100rlt pump lets see whats up

I think that should do it. once that thing is hooked up and its broken in a day or two you will see why they are called super skimmers

[llebcire]

My Reef Devil with 12 bio balls creates the equivalent of 14 to 16 feet of head according to ETSS hence the need for a pressure rated pump. Look at the output at 16 feet to see what you're actually providing

[bif24701]

One day of skimming.

[yudruln8]

Originally Posted by bif24701

I think that should do it. once that thing is hooked up and its broken in a day or two you will see why they are called super skimmers

lol i will post an update btw just yesterday it started making foam about half way up with the reeflo pump like u said lets see it with the iwaki

[yudruln8]

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[yudruln8]

Originally Posted by llebcire

My Reef Devil with 12 bio balls creates the equivalent of 14 to 16 feet of head according to ETSS hence the need for a pressure rated pump. Look at the output at 16 feet to see what you're actually providing

did you meen on my current pump or the iwaki i bought?

[yudruln8]

at 17 feet with the hammerhead i get 3600gph

[llebcire]

Originally Posted by yudruln8

did you meen on my current pump or the iwaki i bought?

Just in general for ETSS skimmers. Your Iwaki should do great! I use an Iwaki 55RLT for mine.

[yudruln8]

Here's my skimmer with 1inch hose I had it running on 3/4 and notice it still not runn like it should. Here's about 5 mins of running it stop producing foam do to me adding a homemade coral food I will post another video once I see it start producing foam agian

http://youtu.be/OvMHrQ5AX6w