Skimmer Help

[tnyga]

Im having nightmares with this Coralife skimmer. It works 14 different ways without an ATO system and it's driving me nuts. I wanted to put an ATO unit on the system but I wanted to use a pump and not gravity. The opinions I got just confused me more.

I always had a ASM G3 I believe on my 54 and 90 and never had the problem of constantly watching my water level like I do now...ITS NOT FUN!!

So....What are my options...My sump cannot support a skimmer in it (too small). If I hook up the other wet/dry and treat it as my fuge I dont know it that would serve as an option...

Feel free to chime in

 

[snowmansnow]

im confused.. as normal.. is the issue with your ATO or your skimmer?

Are you running the skimmer externally?

b

 

[tnyga]

SnowManSnow;398456 wrote: im confused.. as normal.. is the issue with your ATO or your skimmer?

Are you running the skimmer externally?

b

I do NOT have an ATO, cant seem to get the right answers on what to use..every is telling my to use gravity, I do not want to use gravity for an ATO, it's not condusive to my layout. My skimmer is external hanging on the back of the sump.

sry for the confusion

 

[snowmansnow]

ok.. HoT skimmer on the sump. No ATO (auto top off)

when you say u dont want to use gravity for an ATO.. what does that have to do with the skimmer... are you confused with ATO and gravity fed skimmers? (no offense intended). Exactly what is causing your water level to drop so quickly? Is the skimmer skimming REALLY REALLY wet or something? Is it overflowing?

Are you WANTING to add a good ATO to your system to keep the water lvl in check?

B

 

[tnyga]

ok...The coralife skimmer will skim fine if the water level is constantly consistant, too little it drops down and doesnt do its job, too much it's wet. Because of no chiller I use a fan in my sump to keep temperture a 78-79 degrees and this causing evaportation....about a half gallon or so a day (maybe a lil more)

Gravity fed as far as an ATO system, Id rather use a pump because of where the water is.

So either I get a skimmer that wont be a concern with the water level or someone to give an old guy a hand setting up an auto top off system...

 

[snowmansnow]

AHH!

IMO pretty simple. I completely understand. You just need an ATO that isn't gravity fed.. NP.

There ARE cheaper routs, but I would TOTALLY recommend what I have now.. I'm using a Tunze Osmolator and it has been working absolutely FLAWLESSLY for the last year. I just have a 5g topoff bucket that sits under an end table beside my tank. I fill up the bucket once a week or so.

Here's a link.
http://www.marinedepot.com/Tunze_Osmolator_Universal_3155_Electric_Powered_Dosing_Pumps_Top_Off_Plug_In_Units-Tunze-TZ4111-FIDPETPU-vi.html">http://www.marinedepot.com/Tunze_Osmolator_Universal_3155_Electric_Powered_Dosing_Pumps_Top_Off_Plug_In_Units-Tunze-TZ4111-FIDPETPU-vi.html</a>

Like I say there are some cheaper options, and some DIY projects you can do, but I totally love mine.. and would buy another one today if i needed it.

B

 

[snowmansnow]

btw.. with that osmolator.. you have an "eye" that you sit inside your sump that detects level.. It keeps your water exactly where it needs to be.. nothing to really setup once you figure out tunze's weird bracket system.

b

 

[tnyga]

200 is more than Im going to think of asking wife for lol...I was looking at that Thomson Tang for this weekend...maybe an ATO would be wiser

 

[snowmansnow]

there are cheaper ones out there like the JBJ and such.. but the water level with the osmolator doesn't waiver in my sump at all.. IMO it's worth the cost, but thats a pretty objective statement water level dictates a lot of variables in a tank.. salinity, how well your skimmer functions, and even temp to some degree (pun intended). IMO its worth it.. but thats just me.
b

 

[skriz]

Russ,

with that skimmer, you have no choice but an ATO system. The Tunze is one of the best I have ever seen, but there are plenty of others that work well. Bulk reef supply has a "diy" unit that's fairly cheap; I've used it and it works well; in fact, it's in use on my nano.

 

[cr500_af]

Yep, I have the DIY ATOs on both my tank and Sandie's cube... mine through a relay, hers the "cheap" way with the float switch directly interrupting the power. Dirt cheap and easy to build.

If I had the disposable income I'd buy the Tunze in a minute, but alas, I don't.

 

[drnecropolis]

Ugh.. I had the same issue with a Coralife skimmer.. I finally gave up on it and got an Octopus.. Like all needlewheels its dependent on water level but a lot more forgiving if you slack a day on it and forget to top off.. I would do an ATO but I have zero room for one..

 

[tnyga]

well Ive been on the horn with a bunch of sponsors...most can "order", Im not an order kinda guy...One had a JBJ but it would have to go down 7-8 inches to the water level...no can do on that one...The other is a tunze and Ill have a better chance of getting pregnant than having my wife give me an ok to go spend 200.00.

Gotta do something this weekend...any sponsors I havent called reading this????

 

[budsreef]

Russ, what do you mean the JBJ has to go down 7-8 inches to the water level and you can't do tha? I use the JBJ ATO on both systems and they work great.

 

[tnyga]

Budsreef;398530 wrote: Russ, what do you mean the JBJ has to go down 7-8 inches to the water level and you can't do tha? I use the JBJ ATO on both systems and they work great.

Bud...My sump is a wet/dry thats about 12-15 inches high....My water level holds at about 6 inches high...I was told as this sits on the edge of the sump you have only about 5 inches it will move down to the water... and my water line is about 9 inches down

 

[cwalt]

I think a DIY is your best solution -

something like this http://otherpower.com/float_switch.html">http://otherpower.com/float_switch.html</a>

with this [IMG]http://www.boatersland.com/att46067.html">http://www.boatersland.com/att46067.html</a>

and this [IMG]http://salestores.com/clviip1250re.html">http://salestores.com/clviip1250re.html</a>

could be made to work -

drop the pump in the Top off , put the float switch in on the the ground side of the 12 v connection to the pump, and adjust as needed,

Of course there are almost 1000 other ways to do this but you may have some of this stuff already around or it may inspire you to do something else.

I have seen ATO's built with a toilet float and a pump with a pressure cut off ( not the smartest way) but once again it depends on what ya have to work with at the time

 

[budsreef]

The JBJ ATOs I have extend about a foot down in the RO container and at least 8 inches in the sump. They come with extension pieces to go just about as far as you could want it.

 

[tnyga]

Budsreef;398539 wrote: The JBJ ATOs I have extend about a foot down in the RO container and at least 8 inches in the sump. They come with extension pieces to go just about as far as you could want it.

Then that may work Bud...TY

Just talked to Chris at Fishscales...He has a JBJ he used for CHEAP...So Ill be getting that saturday and the Thompson Tang

Thanks much Chris if you read this, looking forward to seeing your store!

Thanks all for your input!!

 

[snowmansnow]

best of luck glad you got it figured out

 

[tnyga]

SnowManSnow;398542 wrote: best of luck glad you got it figured out

Appreciate the help as I try to run my shop at the same time lol