Reeflo/Sequence Skimmer Club - Page 8

JenDub · 08/24/2007, 05:56 AM

What size is the pvc on this skimmer? Is it Cpvc? I bought a 1/2" schedule 80 piece that did not fit....

pwhitby · 08/24/2007, 07:12 AM

It is metric PVC i believe, so regular fitting willnot work.

There is one piece remilled to act as connection to an out flow.

Which piece is it you are trying to work with? I dont remember any 1/2 inch pieces, or near 1/2 inch.

JenDub · 08/24/2007, 08:01 AM

oops, I meant 1.5" =)

I'm going to put a gate valve under the tee, I had my first volcano/fountain today when I crash tested the skimmer and it overflowed water out of the riser and onto the pump. That was the official end of me trying to live with the wedge valve =)

I think I'm having some issues because:
1) my skimmer is raised above the tanks so the siphon formed when the power goes out is too much for my return pump to handle until the skimmer body drains
2) the pipe that connects the tee with the body is too short which means I have to close the wedge valve too much. This causes an overflow upon restart until the draining reaches stasis again.

I'm always looking for an excuse to mod, this should be an easy one to fix. The feed pump needs a swing check valve and the pipe that connects the tee with the body needs to be a little taller IMO and needs a gate valve (although the wedge valve may work better if the pipe is taller)

Why did they use metric? Is the skimmer made in Canada or Europe?

wizsmaster · 08/24/2007, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JenDub
Why did they use metric? Is the skimmer made in Canada or Europe?

Probably because the skimmer is built in china, or somewhere else. not that this is a problem - HOWEVER pretty close to everyone else uses metric, other than the US of course.

metric is easier to use, wish everybody used metric.

pwhitby · 08/24/2007, 09:12 AM

if you increase the height of the T you will have to drain the skimmer to remove the lid since water will rise to the neck and stay there.

or am I not getting what you are saying?

JenDub · 08/24/2007, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pwhitby
if you increase the height of the T you will have to drain the skimmer to remove the lid since water will rise to the neck and stay there.

or am I not getting what you are saying?

The water in my skimmer rides at the top of the 12" tube about 1/2" down from the reducing piece. In order to get the water level up to the cup flange (pump running & air off) I have to turn the wedge about 5/6 of the way closed or more. Having the wedge this far closed is causing some floods on restart (in a blackout type event).

I would raise the water level to about 1/2" under the cup flange, all that needs to be added is a gate valve if I can find one in the right size. I would have just glued my reducer riser into the union and then used all standard PVC fittings if I had caught this issue before I glued.

I have asked Chris for a new union and reducing riser, from my experience sequence stands behind their products 120% so I'm sure he'll be able to help.

How far do you all have your wedge pipes rotated? Mine rides about 1/4"-1/2" from fully closed (based on arrow sticker on tee). If I raised the pipe I would only need to close the wedge or gate valve slightly. I'd still opt for the gate valve because I've already had water squirt out of the top of the riser onto my pump...

pwhitby · 08/24/2007, 10:44 AM

mine is virtually closed.

What i dont get is why you get the flood. I turn mine on and off fairly frequently as I am working on my tank room and i dont get that issue. I did get a flood when I increased (accidently) the flow through the system.

Are you saying that during running the suction of the water in the return to the tank from the skimmer siphons such that there is sufficient "suction" to increase the water flow. When power fails, the water exits and then when it returns it has no suction to ibncrease the flow, skimmer fills, overflows, the return pipe fills and the siphon effect restarts the suction..... ??

JenDub · 08/24/2007, 11:09 AM

My tanks are stocktanks that sit on the floor, the water level in each is about 17" deep. My skimmer sits on a shelf 36" off the floor, I imagine the 3-4 feet of height difference does cause some suction on the line. Also when my feed pump powers down it back siphons and empties the skimmer to the bottom of the box. When everything is restarted the pump is spitting foam and the feed pump causes the water level to raise up the skimmer and blows the lid and squirts out of the hole on the top of the silencer. It would be a smaller issue for an in-sump skimmer but for an extenal it's pretty bad...

Paul, have your skimmer is on the ground level correct? I didn't have this issue on the ground because the skimmer didn't back siphon & empty.

pwhitby · 08/24/2007, 12:46 PM

Ok, i get the problem now.

You could drop a one way valve in the feed pump side of plumbing to stop the siphoning. Not 100% safe, but certainly better.

Jeremy B. · 08/24/2007, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JenDub
My tanks are stocktanks that sit on the floor, the water level in each is about 17" deep. My skimmer sits on a shelf 36" off the floor, I imagine the 3-4 feet of height difference does cause some suction on the line. Also when my feed pump powers down it back siphons and empties the skimmer to the bottom of the box. When everything is restarted the pump is spitting foam and the feed pump causes the water level to raise up the skimmer and blows the lid and squirts out of the hole on the top of the silencer. It would be a smaller issue for an in-sump skimmer but for an extenal it's pretty bad...

Paul, have your skimmer is on the ground level correct? I didn't have this issue on the ground because the skimmer didn't back siphon & empty.

I have my skimmer set up the exact same way you do. While I do get the back siphoning and draining the entire skimmer into the sump, I do not get the overflowing like you're experiencing. The only thing I can think is that you have a really long horizontal run of pipe going back into the sump area, which is causing the back up. Is it possible to shorten this?

JenDub · 08/24/2007, 01:48 PM

It's relatively short and angled at 45 degrees or more. I think it has something to do with the wedge pipe needing to be so closed since the overflow happens when water backs up the riser and out the top of the pipe. It's nothing a gate valve can't fix, now I just need to find one that fits =)

Jeremy B. · 08/24/2007, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JenDub
It's relatively short and angled at 45 degrees or more. I think it has something to do with the wedge pipe needing to be so closed since the overflow happens when water backs up the riser and out the top of the pipe. It's nothing a gate valve can't fix, now I just need to find one that fits =)

Out of curiosity, when the skimmer is running, and you turn the air valve completely off, where is the water level at inside the skimmer once it settles down to it's lowest or highest point?

pwhitby · 08/24/2007, 02:34 PM

you can modify the pipe with a rubber gasket used in plumbing to convert pipe types.

It looks like a rubber pipe with two pipe clips on the ends.

JenDub · 08/26/2007, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jeremy B.
Out of curiosity, when the skimmer is running, and you turn the air valve completely off, where is the water level at inside the skimmer once it settles down to it's lowest or highest point?

Hi Jeremy,

I think that's my main gripe with the wedge/height of uppipe, the water level doesn't seem to stay constant. When it's too low I turn the wedge one tiny little bump (the orings in the wedge create enough friction to kinda feel the tube squeak a little when it's turned) and the water level begins rising and keeps rising until it's way too high and about to overflow; then I open it a squeak and it gets too low. I'm pretty sure it has something to do with how far closed the wedge needs to be in order to raise the water level in the skimmer the 6" up to the flange with the bolts.

BTW- we had our first flood yesterday =( Soaked the carpet a good one. I think it can be attributed to the issue discussed above.

-Charles

heliopt · 08/26/2007, 05:03 PM

is this skimmer ozone safe?

Regards,

Helio

hurleycr · 08/26/2007, 07:35 PM

Well, I just recieved the unit. The packaging is great on this shipment. It has to be the best packaged piece of equipment I have ever purchased.

I have it together and waiting to be installed. As soon as I can get it wet I will post pictures and the like.

Has anyone had an issue with feeding it directly from the overflows?

JenDub · 08/26/2007, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hurleycr
Well, I just recieved the unit. The packaging is great on this shipment. It has to be the best packaged piece of equipment I have ever purchased.

Seriously! That box was amazingly well packaged. I doubt even the boneheads at UPS/FedEx could damage the skimmer while in the OG box!

Paul has his fed from the overflow, what GPH is going through your overflows?

hurleycr · 08/27/2007, 04:56 AM

I'm not sure yet. I'm in the middle of an upgrade, and am just begginning the plumbing now. Its just two 1" bulkheads so what is that like 600gph each right?

JenDub · 08/28/2007, 01:03 PM

It depends on your return pump more than the overflows, I've heard of 1" thinwall pvc with a durso pipe taking 1000-1200 gph when pushed hard.

JenDub · 09/01/2007, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by heliopt
is this skimmer ozone safe?

Regards,

Helio

I'm wondering the same thing....

Jeremy; do you have any info on this?

uhuru · 09/01/2007, 03:58 PM

any updates on the smaller version?? teaser pics?

wizsmaster · 09/01/2007, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JenDub
I'm wondering the same thing....

Jeremy; do you have any info on this?

He posted up in another thread YES

Psionicdragon · 09/02/2007, 02:04 AM

well whats better? a volcano or a reeflo skimmer?

GSMguy · 09/02/2007, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Psionicdragon
well whats better? a volcano or a reeflo skimmer?

one cost 3 times as much as the other....

blenny90 · 09/04/2007, 10:32 AM

I am considering almost the same setup as JenDub. The skimmer will be directly above the sump about 40". I will be feeding from the sump and do not plan on turning off the skimmer during feeding. It seems a check valve on the feed pump would keep the water from siphoning as mentioned by Paul.

JenDub - Have you had a chance to try your gate-valve mod?

For the record - 210 display, 75 gal. refuge, 75 gal. sump, 40 gal. frag, SPS dominated. Sump and refuge will be new to the system as I will be plumbing to the basement. Currently, believe it or not, am doing well with an ASM G-3 w/mods.

But I need a new skimmer!

08/24/2007, 05:56 AM	#176
JenDub Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Orange County, California Posts: 2,785	What size is the pvc on this skimmer? Is it Cpvc? I bought a 1/2" schedule 80 piece that did not fit.... __________________ Jen & Charles; Reefing's Dynamic Duo =) Got a Propagation Question? Feel Free to Ask/PM/Email! Current Tank Info: 700g Coral Propagation System & 120g LPS Display

08/24/2007, 07:12 AM	#177
pwhitby Team RC Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 9,137	It is metric PVC i believe, so regular fitting willnot work. There is one piece remilled to act as connection to an out flow. Which piece is it you are trying to work with? I dont remember any 1/2 inch pieces, or near 1/2 inch. __________________ Paul W Whitby Ph.D

08/24/2007, 08:01 AM	#178
JenDub Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Orange County, California Posts: 2,785	oops, I meant 1.5" =) I'm going to put a gate valve under the tee, I had my first volcano/fountain today when I crash tested the skimmer and it overflowed water out of the riser and onto the pump. That was the official end of me trying to live with the wedge valve =) I think I'm having some issues because: 1) my skimmer is raised above the tanks so the siphon formed when the power goes out is too much for my return pump to handle until the skimmer body drains 2) the pipe that connects the tee with the body is too short which means I have to close the wedge valve too much. This causes an overflow upon restart until the draining reaches stasis again. I'm always looking for an excuse to mod, this should be an easy one to fix. The feed pump needs a swing check valve and the pipe that connects the tee with the body needs to be a little taller IMO and needs a gate valve (although the wedge valve may work better if the pipe is taller) Why did they use metric? Is the skimmer made in Canada or Europe? __________________ Jen & Charles; Reefing's Dynamic Duo =) Got a Propagation Question? Feel Free to Ask/PM/Email! Current Tank Info: 700g Coral Propagation System & 120g LPS Display

08/24/2007, 09:12 AM	#180
pwhitby Team RC Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 9,137	if you increase the height of the T you will have to drain the skimmer to remove the lid since water will rise to the neck and stay there. or am I not getting what you are saying? __________________ Paul W Whitby Ph.D

08/24/2007, 10:44 AM	#182
pwhitby Team RC Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 9,137	mine is virtually closed. What i dont get is why you get the flood. I turn mine on and off fairly frequently as I am working on my tank room and i dont get that issue. I did get a flood when I increased (accidently) the flow through the system. Are you saying that during running the suction of the water in the return to the tank from the skimmer siphons such that there is sufficient "suction" to increase the water flow. When power fails, the water exits and then when it returns it has no suction to ibncrease the flow, skimmer fills, overflows, the return pipe fills and the siphon effect restarts the suction..... ?? __________________ Paul W Whitby Ph.D

08/24/2007, 11:09 AM	#183
JenDub Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Orange County, California Posts: 2,785	My tanks are stocktanks that sit on the floor, the water level in each is about 17" deep. My skimmer sits on a shelf 36" off the floor, I imagine the 3-4 feet of height difference does cause some suction on the line. Also when my feed pump powers down it back siphons and empties the skimmer to the bottom of the box. When everything is restarted the pump is spitting foam and the feed pump causes the water level to raise up the skimmer and blows the lid and squirts out of the hole on the top of the silencer. It would be a smaller issue for an in-sump skimmer but for an extenal it's pretty bad... Paul, have your skimmer is on the ground level correct? I didn't have this issue on the ground because the skimmer didn't back siphon & empty. __________________ Jen & Charles; Reefing's Dynamic Duo =) Got a Propagation Question? Feel Free to Ask/PM/Email! Current Tank Info: 700g Coral Propagation System & 120g LPS Display Last edited by JenDub; 08/24/2007 at 11:16 AM.

08/24/2007, 12:46 PM	#184
pwhitby Team RC Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 9,137	Ok, i get the problem now. You could drop a one way valve in the feed pump side of plumbing to stop the siphoning. Not 100% safe, but certainly better. __________________ Paul W Whitby Ph.D

08/24/2007, 01:48 PM	#186
JenDub Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Orange County, California Posts: 2,785	It's relatively short and angled at 45 degrees or more. I think it has something to do with the wedge pipe needing to be so closed since the overflow happens when water backs up the riser and out the top of the pipe. It's nothing a gate valve can't fix, now I just need to find one that fits =) __________________ Jen & Charles; Reefing's Dynamic Duo =) Got a Propagation Question? Feel Free to Ask/PM/Email! Current Tank Info: 700g Coral Propagation System & 120g LPS Display

08/24/2007, 02:34 PM	#188
pwhitby Team RC Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 9,137	you can modify the pipe with a rubber gasket used in plumbing to convert pipe types. It looks like a rubber pipe with two pipe clips on the ends. __________________ Paul W Whitby Ph.D

08/26/2007, 05:03 PM	#190
heliopt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Rio de Janeiro- Brazil Posts: 19	is this skimmer ozone safe? Regards, Helio __________________ Dormientibus non socurrit jus. Current Tank Info: 230 g SPS tank - 2 Lumenarc, 2 250w HQI Giesemann 12.500k, 2 Tunze 6100 with controler, Euroreef CS 8-2 protein skimmer

08/26/2007, 07:35 PM	#191
hurleycr Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 669	Well, I just recieved the unit. The packaging is great on this shipment. It has to be the best packaged piece of equipment I have ever purchased. I have it together and waiting to be installed. As soon as I can get it wet I will post pictures and the like. Has anyone had an issue with feeding it directly from the overflows? __________________ Don't tell your problems to people: 80 percent don't care; and the other 20 percent are glad you have them...... Lou Holtz Click The Red House To see My Build Thread!!! Current Tank Info: 220 AGA RR, ReefFlo 250 Skimmer, Korallin Calcium Reactor, PO4 Reactor, Sequence 750 Return, Bare Bottom, Vortech Pump

08/27/2007, 04:56 AM	#193
hurleycr Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 669	I'm not sure yet. I'm in the middle of an upgrade, and am just begginning the plumbing now. Its just two 1" bulkheads so what is that like 600gph each right? __________________ Don't tell your problems to people: 80 percent don't care; and the other 20 percent are glad you have them...... Lou Holtz Click The Red House To see My Build Thread!!! Current Tank Info: 220 AGA RR, ReefFlo 250 Skimmer, Korallin Calcium Reactor, PO4 Reactor, Sequence 750 Return, Bare Bottom, Vortech Pump

08/28/2007, 01:03 PM	#194
JenDub Registered Member. Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Orange County, California Posts: 2,785	It depends on your return pump more than the overflows, I've heard of 1" thinwall pvc with a durso pipe taking 1000-1200 gph when pushed hard. __________________ Jen & Charles; Reefing's Dynamic Duo =) Got a Propagation Question? Feel Free to Ask/PM/Email! Current Tank Info: 700g Coral Propagation System & 120g LPS Display

09/01/2007, 03:58 PM	#196
uhuru Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbus Posts: 2,949	any updates on the smaller version?? teaser pics? __________________ August 2011 TOTM

09/02/2007, 02:04 AM	#198
Psionicdragon Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: San Francisco Posts: 3,727	well whats better? a volcano or a reeflo skimmer? __________________ Economy sucks bad! Lets pray for the best! in the meantime, liquidation!

09/04/2007, 10:32 AM	#200
blenny90 Registered Member. Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 270	I am considering almost the same setup as JenDub. The skimmer will be directly above the sump about 40". I will be feeding from the sump and do not plan on turning off the skimmer during feeding. It seems a check valve on the feed pump would keep the water from siphoning as mentioned by Paul. JenDub - Have you had a chance to try your gate-valve mod? For the record - 210 display, 75 gal. refuge, 75 gal. sump, 40 gal. frag, SPS dominated. Sump and refuge will be new to the system as I will be plumbing to the basement. Currently, believe it or not, am doing well with an ASM G-3 w/mods. But I need a new skimmer!