Help with MRC-1?

[cjsparky]

Hi all...

Just as the title says, I have a MRC-1 skimmer, in-sump configuration, and I need a little help setting it up. I have it inside my sump, and the top of the black base is about 1/4 to 1/2 inch under water. When I open the gate valve and the air valve all the way like the instructions say, I get very large bubbles coming up into the collection cup, and flowing out through the tube. It says to set it up like this at first, but I would need to empty the waste collector (milk jug) out too often for this to be right...can someone please take me through step by step or call me at 404-925-1875? Any help would surely be appreciated!

CJ

 

[william1]

Hope that helped you out some CJ... Good talking with you.

 

[cjsparky]

Thanks a bunch William1!

CJ

Thanks also Dawg!

 

[cjsparky]

dawgdude;449866 wrote: First off I would highly suggest not using a milk jug and buying a waste collector from mrc since they shut the skimmer off when full. Otherwise you are asking for a flood. Also are you running it in fresh or salt water? What size pump on it? I would start off with the air valve almost closed and slowly open it up.

I currently am using a milk jug, that is sitting in a 5 gallon container...Am planning on getting a waste container when the budget allows. I am running the MRC-1 with a GenX 6000 Pump. I have such a small bio load right now, as I only have a cleaner shrimp, small Maroon Clown, and a 6 line Wrasse in a 125 Gallon tank with about 120Lbs of Live Rock. Running it in Salt water, I think the problem was I understood MRC's directions to have me starting the pump with the gate fully open, and the air intake fully open as well. Making more sense to start with the air intake closed.

CJ

 

[cjsparky]

OK so found a MRC WC-4 Waste container used for $80 and went ahead and installed it!

I move fast! lol

CJ

 

[dons]

Cjsparky;449971 wrote: OK so found a MRC WC-4 Waste container used for $80 and went ahead and installed it!

I move fast! lol

CJ

I have an MRC 4 and had some problems getting it to work properly at first. Make sure you lubricate the lock ring and gasket with silicone grease or you might have some problems twisting it off.

 

[william1]

Cjsparky;449971 wrote: OK so found a MRC WC-4 Waste container used for $80 and went ahead and installed it!

I move fast! lol

CJ

Good I was going to feel bad if you had an overflow problem, the waste container saved me a few times LOL.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

You're static water level is way too high. You'll need to elevate it

 

[cjsparky]

About where on the black acrylic box does the water level need to be???

 

[skriz]

Cjsparky;450108 wrote: About where on the black acrylic box does the water level need to be???

Ideally, below the gate valve.

 

[jmaneyapanda]

Cjsparky;450108 wrote: About where on the black acrylic box does the water level need to be???

as Raj said, the water level ideally would be below the gate valve exit. Close the air valve and turn on the pump and you should aim to set the water level just above (maybe 1") above the box with the pump running.

 

[cjsparky]

OK so here is a picture of my current set up. Notice that I am now getting a crazy foam inside the cup, but the pipe leading to the collection cup is no longer full of foam/bubbles. So I need to attempt to raise the skimmer a few inches, and re/adjust?

Pic

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CJ

 

[jmaneyapanda]

In order to run the skimmer optimally, you'll want to have the static water level even with the gate valve, or below. Fluctuations in sump level will notably effect the skimmer performance with the way you have it set up. It may work now, but it would certainly work better if you elevate the skimmer.

 

[cjsparky]

jmaneyapanda;450335 wrote: In order to run the skimmer optimally, you'll want to have the static water level even with the gate valve, or below. Fluctuations in sump level will notably effect the skimmer performance with the way you have it set up. It may work now, but it would certainly work better if you elevate the skimmer.

That side of the sump is a constant depth water level. There is a bubble trap/overflow glass baffle just below it. Looks like I got to get this about 2-3 inches higher....

CJ