H&S Skimmer Help

[nugzo]

My new H&S 200-2xF2001 Skimmer has arrived. The instructions are the worst. Anybody have one of these that can give me some pointers? What is the ideal water height? What is this coupling for? Thanks for the help.

[OnlyCrimson]

I'm not 100% sure, but my guess is that this would be used to extend the exhaust flow piping. So if the sump was 2 feet away you could buy 2 more feet of pipe and use that coupler to add it to it. Otherwise I see no use for it.

[GQuinn]

That coupling is used as an adapter on your water outlet plumbing. The grey pipe in the coupling goes into the "T" fitting on the water outlet and you attach pvc pipe as needed to get to sump. You might get more info from the H & S forum.

[heyfredyourhat]

Be careful with extending it too much though. I have an A-150, and back pressure is its worst enemy. If at all possible keep it short and simple.

[USC-fan]

That is an awesome skimmer. I have a really similar skimmer so if you need any more help just PM me.

Here is the guide for setting skimmers like yours.

Originally posted by USC-fan
warr40 this will help you....

There are 3 controls on the skimmer:

1. INPUT controlled by gravity feed from overflow with ball or gate valve "or" pump feed with a correctly rated pump

2. OUTPUT controlled by ball or gate valve at skimmer's drain

3. AIRFLOW controlled by air valve


To set your skimmer correctly:

1. first you must be sure the water flow through rate is matched to your skimmer. most of the time, for gravity feed, one would need to tailor the rate back by ball or gate valve in control #1 as the water turnover rate is usually much stronger than your skimmer can accept. or you can feed skimmer with a correctly rated pump or powerhead.


2. next, with the water flow through rate adjusted correctly, the water level within the skimmer must be at the right level for the skimmer to perform optimally. water level should just at the bottom edge of the bayonet connection between the collection cup and skimmer body. the highest water level you should have is no higher than the top edge of the bayonet top edge and the lowest is no lower than 3/4" below the bayonet connection. i like the skimmer water level on the high side, so even when the water flow through rate is correct, the water level is too low for me. so, in order to tailor back the outflow from the skimmer drain and to raise the water level within the skimmer, i use a ball valve or gate valve on the output, which is control #2, and the drain does terminate underwater in my sump. so, the comment that the outflow should not be underwater is a preferred situation, but works great even if you terminate underwater (unless with the correct water flow through rate, the water level in your skimmer is already at the top edge of the bayonet). all that happens when the exhaust terminates underwater is puts a little backpressure on the system, but that just increases the water level in the skimmer, which in my situation is on the low side when the water flow through rate adjusted correctly. the benefit of having the drain terminate underwater is no splashing noise at all, but your sump water level must remain constant or the change can put variable backpressure on the exhaust. i found that the best sump water level is within an inch below the exhaust T-fitting.


3. adjust the air valve for maximum foaming with control #3. on both my Deltec and H&S skimmers that i own, it is tailored back approximately 1/4 - 1/3 which gives me the finest bubbles and good foaming head. if the bubble breaking level isn't correct, close down the exhaust valve a little to raise or open up to lower.


HTH, this is just one example of how it can work. many others have different ways that they setup their skimmers.

[niles1967]

do not glue the top half of the output tee. this controls the water level in the skimmer. Do not glue the bottom half until you are certain where the skimmer will be situated. (and thus the output is facing in the desired direction.) if it came with a pump, glue all fittings except the one that meets up with the pump. That will rest over pump and allow you to someday change the pump. The rubber coupling and short nipple that it came with are optional and go into the center of the tee if you wish to direct the output. I just let mine drain into the sump and it is fine.

[nugzo]

Thanks for the Help!