Aqua Medic Turoboflotor... um... how does it work?

reefdork74 · 06/05/2009, 10:08 PM

Can anyone give me a picture of a sump-installed Turboflotor 1000 and a brief description of how it works and how to set it up? I was sold one from my LFS and they recommended a Quiet One pump to go with it. The instructions are slightly unhelpful in this case...

Thanks in advance and be gentle.

NJ

Toddrtrex · 06/05/2009, 11:17 PM

I am not familiar with that skimmer. But, does it have a venturi ? And is it clogged at all?

reefdork74 · 06/05/2009, 11:20 PM

No. It is brand new and I just don't even know how to connect it up. I am just pumping water through it--no bubbles--and I may not even have the water going the right way.

Toddrtrex · 06/05/2009, 11:23 PM

Again, I haven't seem that skimmer in person...

For most skimmers that has to be a way to get air into the pump -- no air no bubbles.

This is from my ASM skimmer, it is the venturi that gets air into the pump. Do you have anything laying around that looks similar?

reefdork74 · 06/05/2009, 11:26 PM

Yes. You helped me understand it a bit better, though. I may have to connect the pump differently. I will try again in the morning and post an update. Thanks!

Toddrtrex · 06/05/2009, 11:30 PM

Cool, glad it is getter clearer. In you need any more pictures of mine, let me know, and I should be able to get some tomorrow.

THE ROOK · 06/06/2009, 06:23 AM

Water is fed into the long vertical pipe that comes off the recirculation pump. A feed pump works best for this. That's why they recommended a small Quiet One pump. A ball valve on the feed pump will help with adjustments. The two knobs on the outputs control the water level inside the skimmer, thus the skimmate produced.

That said, I would highly recommend returning that skimmer & purchasing another brand. MSX, Octopus & Vertex all have decent skimmers in the same price range.

I started with a Turboflotor. After 6 months of fighting with it, I purchased a MSX 200. The T.F. could fit inside my new skimmer. I'm much happier now.

Another point is re-sell. If you're not happy, you'll be lucky to get $50-$70 for the T.F. The other brands mentioned do much better in the used forum.

06/05/2009, 10:08 PM	#1
reefdork74 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: MN Posts: 16	Aqua Medic Turoboflotor... um... how does it work? Can anyone give me a picture of a sump-installed Turboflotor 1000 and a brief description of how it works and how to set it up? I was sold one from my LFS and they recommended a Quiet One pump to go with it. The instructions are slightly unhelpful in this case... Thanks in advance and be gentle. NJ

06/05/2009, 11:17 PM	#2
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	I am not familiar with that skimmer. But, does it have a venturi ? And is it clogged at all? __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

06/05/2009, 11:23 PM	#4
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Again, I haven't seem that skimmer in person... For most skimmers that has to be a way to get air into the pump -- no air no bubbles. This is from my ASM skimmer, it is the venturi that gets air into the pump. Do you have anything laying around that looks similar? __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

06/05/2009, 11:30 PM	#6
Toddrtrex Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Carol Stream, IL Posts: 23,162	Cool, glad it is getter clearer. In you need any more pictures of mine, let me know, and I should be able to get some tomorrow. __________________ Click my name and then "visit toddrtrex's homepage" for tank pictures Current Tank Info: 210g reef and 65g reef

06/05/2009, 11:20 PM	#3
reefdork74 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: MN Posts: 16	No. It is brand new and I just don't even know how to connect it up. I am just pumping water through it--no bubbles--and I may not even have the water going the right way.

06/05/2009, 11:26 PM	#5
reefdork74 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: MN Posts: 16	Yes. You helped me understand it a bit better, though. I may have to connect the pump differently. I will try again in the morning and post an update. Thanks!

06/06/2009, 06:23 AM	#7
THE ROOK Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Springfield, MA Posts: 2,100	Water is fed into the long vertical pipe that comes off the recirculation pump. A feed pump works best for this. That's why they recommended a small Quiet One pump. A ball valve on the feed pump will help with adjustments. The two knobs on the outputs control the water level inside the skimmer, thus the skimmate produced. That said, I would highly recommend returning that skimmer & purchasing another brand. MSX, Octopus & Vertex all have decent skimmers in the same price range. I started with a Turboflotor. After 6 months of fighting with it, I purchased a MSX 200. The T.F. could fit inside my new skimmer. I'm much happier now. Another point is re-sell. If you're not happy, you'll be lucky to get $50-$70 for the T.F. The other brands mentioned do much better in the used forum.