Reeflo/Sequence Skimmer Club

[jmckdvm]

(continuation from previous post):

Forgot to ask this question:

If the skimmer is fed from the overflow, and the sump is on the floor, at what level does the base of the skimmer need to be? (on floor? at level equal to top edge of sump? etc.)

(I know I could figure this out once I get the skimmer, but if someone doesn't mind sending a quick reply, it would help me start my plans to re-vamp my filter room).

Thanks again!
Jim

[benf]

Jim,
I am gravity feeding mine and Mike from Reef Specialty just helped me tune it. Basically adjust teh water going into it til the water line is around the seem above the Reeflo name when the wedge pipe is in the full open position then start turning the wedge pipe closed til u start getting the desired skimmate. This will get u close.

Did u order the basic model or did u get some upgrades?

[jmckdvm]

Ben,

Thanks for your reply. My understanding is that they all now come with the Gold Dart, and the only up-grade I know of is the large collection cup, for which I'm on a waiting list. (And, I know Mike is working on some kind of a mesh insert (?) which isn't available yet.) Anything else?

Jim

[JRaquatics]

Originally posted by jmckdvm
A few nights ago I stayed up till 1 am reading every post in the Reeflo Club Forum, initially with curious allure, but by the time I finished, I wanted to buy a 250 for my 500 gal tank to replace a MTC 1000, (which has been doing an adequate job). I ordered one two days later and expect it's delivery on Mon or Tues.

I am starting basic plans to re-vamp my filter room but need to see exactly what this skimmer looks like before making final decisions. (I want to make room for a 5'x 2'x8" frag tank). I'm hoping that someone might be kind enough to answer a few questions. (Once I get the skimmer running, I will be glad to share my experiences with others on this thread). (I'm most curious about answers to question #3)

1. I read in one of the threads that something (outflow pipe?) needs to be cut down (to 7 or 8 inches?). Could someone explain that?

2. I'm considering feeding the skimmer directly from the overflow box. Should I be concerned that debris (tiny snail shells, etc) may damage the needle wheel? Or, are these skimmers pretty destruction-proof? Will the wheel need to be cleaned more frequently if the skimmer is water fed this way?

3. If using water from the overflow box, and using a Y-fitting with a gate valve to regulate the flow to the skimmer, how do you know when you are getting the maximum flow (600-800 g/h?) to the skimmer (without actually measuring the out flow with a bucket and stopwatch)? (I heard there is a way of adjusting the "controls" of the skimmer so you know when you are getting this maximum flow).

4. What dilution of vinegar is recommended for cleaning the new skimmer? Are we just washing with a sponge or actually turning on the skimmer (and messing up the kitchen like I saw on some of the photos...LOL!)

I appreciate any input from you....and can't wait till I get this monster! Already, I'm happy to be a member of this new "club"....and I feel like a proud new papa! (Gotta cigar?!)

Thank you!

Jim

1. Yes it needs to bet cut down. Its simple logic that if it is too high then you will not be able to take the cup off for cleaning without turning the feed off and draining the skimmer. You will also lack control.

2 &3.I was never a fan of feeding from the overflow.

3. just a rinse, you can run it if you wish. Somewhere around a cup or so.

Why didn't you just get the pro kit? It comes with the Upgrade cup at a discounted cost and insures that you get one. Many Reeflo owners are on the waiting list for these upgrade items. From my understanding is that the demand is so high that the Upgrade cups and wheels may only be available to those who have purchased the Reeflo skimmers from Reef Specialty.

[jmckdvm]

JR

Thanks for your input.

I guess I would have figured out question #1 once I see the skimmer, but now you made it clear what "the 7 inch cut" was all about. Thank you.

My intention was to buy from Mike, but he is not able to sell wholesale, so I had to go elsewhere. (I own a veterinary hospital and pet shop for birds so have numerous wholesale accounts....I'm an avian specialist; About a year ago I extended my reef hobby to a corner of my bird pet shop and offer seminars to my bird clients interested in starting the hobby). I hope I'll be able to get an upgrade cup eventually....but I had a hard time passing up a wholesale discount. (Hope this doesn't come back to haunt me!)

Thanks again,
Jim

[jmckdvm]

JR, or anyone,

RE: Upgraded Collection Cup

Does anyone know if the size of the cup is important, or is it just the extended neck that is the benefit? (in case I have to get one custom made).

Thanks.

[FishTruck]

Need some tips, maybe just some reassurrance.

My skimmer is taking the week off again. This happens from time to time after I clean it. Last time... I went nuts trying to get it working again... finally... it just did on its own and was fine for about a month. Last week, I did routine cleaning again... and the thing has not produced skimmate for 7 days. I cleaned out the venturi last night... still nothing. The bubbles are "boiling" inside the neck.

I have a LIGHTLY stocked 500 gallon system... is it taking a long time to "re condition" just because there is not much orgainics in the water?

Nitrates, Phos remain undetectable and ORP sits in the high 300s. Even during weeks like this.

Ryan.

[reefyguy]

How do you clean the needlewheel and what cleaning and maintenance is needed for the 250.....? Also how often should it be done...

[wizsmaster]

could someone post a picture of the venturi for their 250 please. Inside pic if possible.

And a picture of their bubble plate - i can't remember what it looks like .. how many holes, and hole sizes ... no need to count if you can get me a decent picture . Thanks

thanks,
marco

[JRaquatics]

Originally posted by FishTruck
Need some tips, maybe just some reassurrance.

My skimmer is taking the week off again. This happens from time to time after I clean it. Last time... I went nuts trying to get it working again... finally... it just did on its own and was fine for about a month. Last week, I did routine cleaning again... and the thing has not produced skimmate for 7 days. I cleaned out the venturi last night... still nothing. The bubbles are "boiling" inside the neck.

I have a LIGHTLY stocked 500 gallon system... is it taking a long time to "re condition" just because there is not much orgainics in the water?

Nitrates, Phos remain undetectable and ORP sits in the high 300s. Even during weeks like this.

Ryan.

Ryan there should be no need to clean the skimmer out. The only thing that should be cleaned regularly is the venturi and the cup. Everytime you clean your skimmer you are removing beneficial bacteria that helps the skimmer form a head of foam. Initially every time you clean it you are removing the slime coat and producing a slight break in until the bacteria builds back up.

[Cove Beach]

For those of you running stock 250s or even 200s, there is a mod you can make that will end having to clean your venturi so often if not permanently. On my DIY skimmer using the Orca pump and venturi i have the air intake for my venturi plumbed into my collection cup up near the top edge of the cup. I also have 4 holes drilled into the cup lid outboard of the ring that redirects foam downward into the cup. The holes combined area are the same or slightly greater than the ID of my venturi supply hose (in my case 3/8"). This serves a couple purposes, first it supplies moist air to the venturi supply hose which as it cools on the way down condenses and gets sucked into the venturi keeping it clear of any salt or other crud. Second, it serves as a muffler for the intake. And best of all if for some reason the skimmer should try to overflow such as after an additive is added, when the water level reaches the point of the air intake it shuts off the air and prevents a messy overflow condition. I use a waste container made out of a Tropic Marin bucket that is sealed other than the JG fitting in the top, so when and if the skimmer fills the bucket it will shut off the air to the skimmer.The bucket hold probably 5 gallons but i figure 5 gallons on a 400 gallon system won't have much effect.

[jmckdvm]

Cove Beach,

Thats a great idea! Thanks for the tip. I'm getting an Reeflo 250 soon and will incorporate your idea.

I guess this can be used on other venturi/needle wheel skimmers, like Euro-Reef (which I have several of).....right?

Thanks again!

[JRaquatics]

Humid air does help keep venturis from building deposits, but fresh dry air seems to get better skimming results

[Cove Beach]

I figure most of the air is fairly dry by the time it reaches the venturi and that the liquid that condenses runs down the tube and washes the venturi a little at a time. My venturi opening is 3/8" So its gonna take quite a bit to clog it up. The skimmer i have on my 75 is set up the same way and i haven't had to touch the venturi in 2 yrs. How often are you guys having to clean out yours?

[RokleM]

I just suck in 1/8 - 1/4 cup of RO/DI every few weeks. That seems to do the trick.

[JRaquatics]

Venturi maintanance will depend on the water parimeters and the environment were the tank is located. Air taken from the cup or the top of the tee of a standpipe is very humid which makes the air dense creating less air pull/performance. There is no way air can become dry when it is pulled through a cup, unless it goes through a dryer of some sort but then beating the purpose of the venturi clogging problem. I just prefer cleaning mine out every month when I do my water changes.

[spongebobby]

Just wondering if you were still running the NW on your 200 ? I just took it off the AO motor and placed it on the gold. Air draw stayed the same but the watts dropped about 5 watts. Probably gonna take awhile to break-in though. I just can't get over how it makes the lid feel like it's hovering on top of the cup.

Later

[spongebobby]

OOPS...should have been a PM....To much BW SELECT....

[jmckdvm]

Frustrated with new Reeflo 250...Can somebody help?

I just set up my new skimmer and can't seem to get more than 60 g/h flowing through it. The outlet "T" is at the level where the cylinder starts to bevel. I then have a 14" horizontal 1.5" PVC pipe, with a 90 elbow to take water down another pipe (about 20") to 1" above water level in sump.

I wonder if I should have used another T instead of the 90 degree elbow...but still, it doesn't seem that that would make that much difference since there is already a T nearby. (I slid the cap of the air silencer up to allow more air to escape the "dial" pipe.

I'm sure that if I lower the T, that would help....but I hate to do that because so much water would drain out whenever I shut off the pump. Besides, I glued everything and don't know where to get fittings to fit the grey plastic pipes.

I don't have the upgraded large cup (I'm on a waiting list)...and I know when I get it, that will help....but I certainly need a better flow than 60 g/h. (My understanding is that it should be 500-600 g/h.)

Any help is surely appreciated!

Thank you.
Jim

[RokleM]

I don't follow. Why are you restricted to 60 gph? Do you have it almost completely closed?

[jmckdvm]

No...its opened all the way. When I shut the air off and set the water level at the start of the bevel, I can only barely open my feed pump valve, otherwise the water level will rise too high. When I turn on the air, I have to turn down the feed water valve.

Seems like this thing needs a much higher neck....or the T needs to be much lower. But since the instructions say to have the T at the level of the bevel, thats what I did.

Have you set yours up this way....(in particular, with the smaller collection cup?)

Thanks for offering to help.

[jmckdvm]

I should have also mentioned that at this slow rate of approx 60 gal/hr, the air valve is half closed. If I open all the way, foam will shoot up quickly and overflow.

[jmckdvm]

I'm still hoping that someone might come up with an idea to help with my problem, but in the event that this doesn't happen, I thought of something to try (tomorrow)...its midnight now:

I'm thinking that if I enlarge the horizontal drain pipe and "down" drain pipe to 2", and use a T instead of an elbow, this might help with the flow.

I'm afraid that the best solution, however, is to lower the grey T that came with the unit....but again, I don't know where to get fittings for that type of pipe.

Any comments or thoughts?? Pleeeease

Thanks again!

[wizsmaster]

post up a picture of how you have this thing put together please.

[wizsmaster]

Is the vertical drain pipe submerged wherever you're draining the skimmer water into? If so, how far ...