Protein skimmer break in

[dangit2001]

How would I know if my protein skimmer is properly broken in? I have a Aqua Medic TurboFlotor multi 1000. Instead of hanging it I just put it in the sump. I talked to someone at AquaMedic on Friday about it overflowing. And he told me that he just took the collection cup off for a day.

 

[mvm]

The water level in the skimmer being too high is what causes the overflow. Are you sure the level is OK?

 

[dangit2001]

There is no way to control it. It was hanging on my tank, and I went a head and put a valve to control the air and it was doing the job. Then I noticed that it had a small leak so i took it apart and was going to send it back. Then I realized that its fits in the sump so I just threw it in their. It was designed to use as a hang on or next to a sump. So i figured it won't hurt if i stuck the whole thing in the sump. If i use the air valve it does not overflow. I just don't know how I should have it set.

 

[mvm]

Pics would help. I guess what I'm getting at is that if it's sitting too far under water it will overflow.

 

[brynbyers]

I use the same skimmer on my setup. It's always been tricky to get it to work just right. If the venturi is clogged in any way, it won't create as much bubbles and will rise too high in the collection chamber. My recent mod was to connect two 45 deg pvc pipes back to the sump (I use it as a hang on) and drilled a siphon break with rigid airline so it didn't drain the skimmer with by a siphon action.
Works like a charm now. (and will try to post a picture later if that would help)

 

[dangit2001]

post a picture when you get a chance. Right now its okay since I cut off some air with a valve. I just want to make sure its being used at its max potential.

 

[dangit2001]

Well just looked at the skimmer and I now know what you mean by the "checking the water level". Well right now the skimmer's neck is right above the water level. I am sure it probably needs to be higher but I can only raise it up before I run out of room. I have two red bricks that I can put underneath the skimmer but do I need to soak the bricks before I put them in? I just hot water to rinse off any derbies I saw.

 

[brynbyers]

This is how I have mine outside the sump. Notice the 45 with siphon breaks. And I would be hesitant to use bricks...maybe build a block with eggcrate to raise it higher.
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[dangit2001]

Great job with the mod. I was thinking about that too, but if I do that I would have to return my skimmer to AquaMedic so they could give me a new one. And then have the skimmer outside of the cabinet because there is not enough space between the cabinet and sump.

 

[dangit2001]

what size 45 degree elbows did you use?

 

[rockdog]

they look like 3/4" press fit over electrical tape...

Jason

 

[brynbyers]

Rockdog;496811 wrote: they look like 3/4" press fit over electrical tape...

Jason

Good eyes. 3/4" was just a tad too big, but used the tape to thicken the output pipe.

 

[dangit2001]

how long before your broke in? I decided to move mines out of the sump. So I'll be making a similar mod likes yours.

 

[brynbyers]

I've always had mine outside the sump. Granted, it's been running for a few years, but once I made the mod, it has stayed pretty consistent regarding the water level in the chamber. But whether it was the mod or that I added an ATO to keep the water level consistent in the sump, the only maintenance now is keeping the cup clean and clearing the air intake (instead of cleaning up salt creep, excess water drips, etc).
Hope this helps.

 

[dangit2001]

What does ATO mean? When you first had it on your sump, was it overflowing? I put mines back on the tank and used a air valve to keep it from overflowing. I notice that if I don't use a air valve the water level stays below the neck of the skimmer. Right now the air valve is in use and the water level goes above the neck so when I empty the cup I have to turn off the skimmer.

 

[drnecropolis]

Auto Top Off=ATO

 

[brynbyers]

I still have to turn off the skimmer when cleaning (maybe more of a safety thing so it doesn't overflow). Before all of the mods, the level did rise up the neck too much a few times, and thus would leak a bit (not sure if you see the towel in one of the pics). But now since using the ATO (auto top off), the only time it rises too high up the neck is when the air line to the venturi clogs.

 

[snowmansnow]

someone MAY have said this too early in morning to read WHOLE post, but if the water level is the issue you can just raise the skimmer instead of lowering the level.

B

 

[dangit2001]

Not exactly sure how I would raise the skimmer if its hanging on the tank. After talking to aqua medic again they told me to add a ball valve to slow then the water going into the skimmer. And let the skimmer slowly break in, once it does he said I could have it connected without the ball valve. And it seems to be working fine right now. Just some noise coming from the pump.