Euro Reef skimmer question

[beckzilla]

Have never gotten a complete answer to this so here goes.... on a ER in sump skimmer, what does the different levels of the overflow tube do to the efficiency of the skimmer. In other words if the tube is all the way down does it take out less crap then when it is up higher or all the way up. Also would raising the tube up higher in getting nitrates down even a little. And what is the normal position heigth for normal skimming.

 

[solonfairy]

higher = wetter skimmate
lower=thicker skimmate
wetter will take out suspended phyto, zoo, food particles, fish waste, and more saltwater
thicker will remove the bad stuff and leave more saltwater behind, but it also leaves organics in the water longer
after your system has been running clean for a long time, it is possible to run the riser higher and only get thick skimmate due to less crap in the water.

 

[effloresce]

If i where you, i would get an ASM skimmer, $100 or more cheaper, same Pump (need wheel, which makes all the difference in a skimmer) they are also the same way build, but ASM skimmers are made out of cast Acrylic and clean PVC, if you drop your ASM off a 10+ft drop it will crack, while the euro reef wont, but unless your totaly careless that wont happen. ASM's skimmate cups are also alot easier to remove then euros, i would post a picture of my ASM g2, but i got robebd and they stole my digicamera.

 

[golfish]

Originally posted by Beckzilla
on a ER in sump skimmer, what does the different levels of the overflow tube do to the efficiency of the skimmer.
SolonFairy pretty much covered what the levels on the tube will do..After 4+ years running a Euro reef skimmer I removed my riser tube and added a gate valve. Its a HUGE difference beause you can dial in the skimmer so much better. I suggest everybody who has a ER or ASM to swap over to a Gate Valve.

 

[solonfairy]

removed my riser tube and added a gate valve. Its a HUGE difference beause you can dial in the skimmer so much better. I suggest everybody who has a ER or ASM to swap over to a Gate Valve.
where's the hit the nail on the head emoticon?

 

[ac]

golfish
Gate valve great idea. Do you happen to have a picture of what you did. I hate messing with raising and lowering the tube.

 

[golfish]

Originally posted by AC
golfish
Gate valve great idea. Do you happen to have a picture of what you did. I hate messing with raising and lowering the tube.

AC,
I'll try to get you a picture tonight...Oh, but then I'd have to clean up my sump area:nervous:

 

[solonfairy]

per golfish's inspiration

 

[flatzboy]

I 've seen that pic somewhere lol...

 

[ac]

So does the water come out the top of the tee and the bottom?

 

[golfish]

Originally posted by AC
So does the water come out the top of the tee and the bottom?
The water comes out the bottom...I have mine setup kind of like SF does.

 

[golfish]

My picture isn't as perdy as SF picture is but you'll get the idea.

 

[solonfairy]

top hole of the tee is too vent... the down tube that comes outta the horizontal hole of the tee is for the water to travel
if you go to euro-reef.com and click on recirculating skimmers, you can see how they did it. (this modificiation was originally for external skimmers, but is a nice upgrade for a regular in-sump skimmer too)
the right side of the picture is all you are interested in. the left side shows the alternate pump build for a true recirculating skimmer.

 

[ac]

Great, I got it. I guess it's time to go to home depot for some plumbing. Thanks everyone