OK noobness again. Flood please help!
- Thread starter kurtymac
- Start date
scopus tang
Active Member
Had problems with mine overflowing unpredicatably as well, though I must say I never had the amount that you seem to have gotten. Here's a pic of the simple mod I did on the collection cup, very similar to what alexmir described (black airline connector is from a maxijet powerhead). Drilled and siliconed it in, than ran airline tubing to a gallon jug. No problems since. Also, just so you know, almost every skimmer I have owned has overflowed the cup in the first three days ~ seems to be a "normal" break in period for them in my opinion. After that they seem to settle down and be a little more normal.
A
alexmir
Guest
problem letting it flow into sump is that all of the skimmer juice will flow back into the tank.
scopus tang, thats the same mod i did on mine. Works perfect!
scopus tang, thats the same mod i did on mine. Works perfect!
scopus tang
Active Member
Originally Posted by alexmir
http:///forum/post/2674139
problem letting it flow into sump is that all of the skimmer juice will flow back into the tank.
scopus tang, thats the same mod i did on mine. Works perfect!
Yep, got the idea from you
! Thanks
!
http:///forum/post/2674139
problem letting it flow into sump is that all of the skimmer juice will flow back into the tank.
scopus tang, thats the same mod i did on mine. Works perfect!
Yep, got the idea from you
natclanwy
Active Member
I think just about every skimmer out there has the potential to overflow given the right conditions. If you want to test yours just add some stress coat to your tank and and the skimmer will go nuts even something as lowely as a skilter will overflow with the addition of stresscoat. My aquaC has overflowed twice now once during break in and once just the other day which I think was caused either by new plumbing or because I had bug spray on my arms while I was working in the tank (very lucky I didn't lose anything) don't know which caused it but I am in the process of building a waste collector that will shut off the airflow to the skimmer to prevent any future floods.
salty blues
Active Member
Originally Posted by natclanwy
http:///forum/post/2674792
I think just about every skimmer out there has the potential to overflow given the right conditions. If you want to test yours just add some stress coat to your tank and and the skimmer will go nuts even something as lowely as a skilter will overflow with the addition of stresscoat. My aquaC has overflowed twice now once during break in and once just the other day which I think was caused either by new plumbing or because I had bug spray on my arms while I was working in the tank (very lucky I didn't lose anything) don't know which caused it but I am in the process of building a waste collector that will shut off the airflow to the skimmer to prevent any future floods.
What air flow are you referring to? I have an AquaC Remora and there is no air flow adjustment on it.
http:///forum/post/2674792
I think just about every skimmer out there has the potential to overflow given the right conditions. If you want to test yours just add some stress coat to your tank and and the skimmer will go nuts even something as lowely as a skilter will overflow with the addition of stresscoat. My aquaC has overflowed twice now once during break in and once just the other day which I think was caused either by new plumbing or because I had bug spray on my arms while I was working in the tank (very lucky I didn't lose anything) don't know which caused it but I am in the process of building a waste collector that will shut off the airflow to the skimmer to prevent any future floods.
What air flow are you referring to? I have an AquaC Remora and there is no air flow adjustment on it.
natclanwy
Active Member
Originally Posted by salty blues
http:///forum/post/2674797
What air flow are you referring to? I have an AquaC Remora and there is no air flow adjustment on it.
The EV series have an airflow adjustment valve but that is not what I was refering to. The waste collection cup on the EV series is sealed and only vents air through the drain hose. The waste collector will be sealed also with only one vent with a float valve (AKA pingpong ball in my design) when the waste level increases it will cause the ball to plug the vent which will pressurize the skimmer and stop it from injecting more air into the water essentially shutting down the skimmer. Look at the waste collection cups on AquaC's website and you get a better idea what I am talking about.
http:///forum/post/2674797
What air flow are you referring to? I have an AquaC Remora and there is no air flow adjustment on it.
The EV series have an airflow adjustment valve but that is not what I was refering to. The waste collection cup on the EV series is sealed and only vents air through the drain hose. The waste collector will be sealed also with only one vent with a float valve (AKA pingpong ball in my design) when the waste level increases it will cause the ball to plug the vent which will pressurize the skimmer and stop it from injecting more air into the water essentially shutting down the skimmer. Look at the waste collection cups on AquaC's website and you get a better idea what I am talking about.
stanlalee
Active Member
I dremeled out the plastic air intake port on the pump strainer which clogs with salt build up and is responsible for 90% of coralife overflows. Mine hasn't overflown since BUT you simply can not ignore the air port. Everyday all I have to do is listen to the air intake and can tell if everything is fine (put your finger over the air intake tube and listen to how quiet it gets, then when you take your finger off you'll know the sound of air being aspirated to listen for. do it quick before you overflow your cup). If you simply listen to the air intake you will notice the slightest pauses (quietness) and hiccups which indicate the air passage is becoming clogged and needs cleaning. Like I stated though since boring it out I haven't had that issue (still wouldn't use this skimmer HOB).
The skimmer is sensitive to water levels but simply leaving it alone (evaporation) will not overflow the skimmer, it does the opposite dropping the water level (which is main reason I dont like the skimmer. everytime the water level drops I have to raise it which is two and three times a day). adding water is when its at risk of overflowing. if you do it manually just watch the skimmer or lower the water level first. If you use an auto top off like I use to simply set it up conservatively (dryer) so when the ATO kicks in, it raises the water in the body but not enough to overflow it or really effect skimming. If you have a good (accurate) ATO it really isn't an issue (you literally only have to adjust it a .25" lower in the neck than you normally would).
Submerging the output is the second most common reason it overflows. simply dont let this tube go underwater. I'm sure the bubble diffuser makes this more complicated than it should (which is why again I would not use this skimmer for HOB use. I dont use the bubble diffuser, just a PVC elbow with tubing attached right above the waterline).
when I first got the skimmer I was overflowing it weekly (in the sump) until I figured it out. very fustrating!
The skimmer is sensitive to water levels but simply leaving it alone (evaporation) will not overflow the skimmer, it does the opposite dropping the water level (which is main reason I dont like the skimmer. everytime the water level drops I have to raise it which is two and three times a day). adding water is when its at risk of overflowing. if you do it manually just watch the skimmer or lower the water level first. If you use an auto top off like I use to simply set it up conservatively (dryer) so when the ATO kicks in, it raises the water in the body but not enough to overflow it or really effect skimming. If you have a good (accurate) ATO it really isn't an issue (you literally only have to adjust it a .25" lower in the neck than you normally would).
Submerging the output is the second most common reason it overflows. simply dont let this tube go underwater. I'm sure the bubble diffuser makes this more complicated than it should (which is why again I would not use this skimmer for HOB use. I dont use the bubble diffuser, just a PVC elbow with tubing attached right above the waterline).
when I first got the skimmer I was overflowing it weekly (in the sump) until I figured it out. very fustrating!
aquaguy24
Active Member
Originally Posted by natclanwy
http:///forum/post/2674792
I think just about every skimmer out there has the potential to overflow given the right conditions. If you want to test yours just add some stress coat to your tank and and the skimmer will go nuts even something as lowely as a skilter will overflow with the addition of stresscoat. My aquaC has overflowed twice now once during break in and once just the other day which I think was caused either by new plumbing or because I had bug spray on my arms while I was working in the tank (very lucky I didn't lose anything) don't know which caused it but I am in the process of building a waste collector that will shut off the airflow to the skimmer to prevent any future floods.
i have the actual collector cup just made for the EV but by the looks of it u can just easily make one out of a soda bottle...get a emptly soda bottle..cut it in half or make a hole to place a ping pong ball inside ..then plumb the air vent tube from the collection cup to the top of the bottle and seal it all up with aquarium sealent..so when the water rises to the top, the ping pong ball blocks off any air comeing through which stops the skimmer from skimming...but u have to another hole in the cap of the bottle so the skimmer doesn't choke off when its operating normally..
http:///forum/post/2674792
I think just about every skimmer out there has the potential to overflow given the right conditions. If you want to test yours just add some stress coat to your tank and and the skimmer will go nuts even something as lowely as a skilter will overflow with the addition of stresscoat. My aquaC has overflowed twice now once during break in and once just the other day which I think was caused either by new plumbing or because I had bug spray on my arms while I was working in the tank (very lucky I didn't lose anything) don't know which caused it but I am in the process of building a waste collector that will shut off the airflow to the skimmer to prevent any future floods.
i have the actual collector cup just made for the EV but by the looks of it u can just easily make one out of a soda bottle...get a emptly soda bottle..cut it in half or make a hole to place a ping pong ball inside ..then plumb the air vent tube from the collection cup to the top of the bottle and seal it all up with aquarium sealent..so when the water rises to the top, the ping pong ball blocks off any air comeing through which stops the skimmer from skimming...but u have to another hole in the cap of the bottle so the skimmer doesn't choke off when its operating normally..
natclanwy
Active Member
Originally Posted by aquaguy24
http:///forum/post/2674870
i have the actual collector cup just made for the EV but by the looks of it u can just easily make one out of a soda bottle...get a emptly soda bottle..cut it in half or make a hole to place a ping pong ball inside ..then plumb the air vent tube from the collection cup to the top of the bottle and seal it all up with aquarium sealent..so when the water rises to the top, the ping pong ball blocks off any air comeing through which stops the skimmer from skimming...but u have to another hole in the cap of the bottle so the skimmer doesn't choke off when its operating normally..
I found a vacuum food canister at Walmart that I think will work perfect all I am lacking are some pvc fittings and a piece of tubing for the the ping-pong ball to ride in.
http:///forum/post/2674870
i have the actual collector cup just made for the EV but by the looks of it u can just easily make one out of a soda bottle...get a emptly soda bottle..cut it in half or make a hole to place a ping pong ball inside ..then plumb the air vent tube from the collection cup to the top of the bottle and seal it all up with aquarium sealent..so when the water rises to the top, the ping pong ball blocks off any air comeing through which stops the skimmer from skimming...but u have to another hole in the cap of the bottle so the skimmer doesn't choke off when its operating normally..
I found a vacuum food canister at Walmart that I think will work perfect all I am lacking are some pvc fittings and a piece of tubing for the the ping-pong ball to ride in.
aquaguy24
Active Member
Originally Posted by natclanwy
http:///forum/post/2675042
I found a vacuum food canister at Walmart that I think will work perfect all I am lacking are some pvc fittings and a piece of tubing for the the ping-pong ball to ride in.
that would look way better then the soda bottle idea...how much is it gonna end up costing?
http:///forum/post/2675042
I found a vacuum food canister at Walmart that I think will work perfect all I am lacking are some pvc fittings and a piece of tubing for the the ping-pong ball to ride in.
that would look way better then the soda bottle idea...how much is it gonna end up costing?
natclanwy
Active Member
Originally Posted by aquaguy24
http:///forum/post/2675116
that would look way better then the soda bottle idea...how much is it gonna end up costing?
I think less than $25 and maybe an hour or so to put it together the canister was the most expensive part at $11, Ping-pong balls $2, PVC fittings ~$8, and tubing for float ~$3.
http:///forum/post/2675116
that would look way better then the soda bottle idea...how much is it gonna end up costing?
I think less than $25 and maybe an hour or so to put it together the canister was the most expensive part at $11, Ping-pong balls $2, PVC fittings ~$8, and tubing for float ~$3.