how to "adjust" a skimmer?

[segraves1]

so what exactly is the process?

I got my G4 up and running today and at first it went like crazy making "skum" but has really trailed off...

it is setup such that the sedra9000 is running recurculation/air injection, running a MaxiJet1200 as the input pump (just what I had on hand), and have a 2" gate valve (I know...WAYYYYY bigger than I needed...it is all but closed right now but I PLAN to run a larger input pump)......

it is possible to have too much air? how high do I want the water to run in the skimmer body?

[lReef lKeeper]

im gonna leave this for sump experts. i can do them but, when i try to explaine these things i get it all mixed up.

[dakar]

the water level will vary depending on the skimmer type/design... if you can get it dialed in so the water is just below the tapering throat up to the collection cup without it creating way more waste water than foam that's a good place to start... from there minor adjustments should get you set. A MJ1200 may no be such a bad feed pump with the sedra recirculating water... slow flow through the skimmer with max bubble contact time is what you are looking to get get towards max efficiency, however it may be just a bit underpowered perhaps a Mag5 or similar would do better... again it depends on the skimmer... what are you using?

[segraves1]

http://www.asmskimmer.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=48&osCsid=dbb837902386089ebb43d1fe89d6ff84

ASM G4 with a Serdi9000

it's on a 100gal tank with a 40gal sump

[Dirt4dinner]

I have the G3, sitting in exactly 10" of water, w/ the recir mod, and the gatevalve is VERY close to closed to get it skimming properly. You may also want to set up some type of ball valve on your input so you can adjust the amount of water going into the skimmer. I have a 1" over flow that splits at a "Y", one side goes directly into the skimmer, and the other just dumps into the sump. I have a ball valve on the pipe that bypasses the skimmer, so when I close it a little more water enters the skimmer.

You can also try raising the gate valve up and down to see if that helps, but I would think you would need between 11"-13" of water for a skimmer that tall. Good luck.

[segraves1]

So you are running the overflow from your tank DIRECTLY into the skimmer body? That was my initial setup I wanted to do but could not for the life of me keep big bubbles out of the skimmer.

How do you keep big bubbles out of the skimmer?

[Dirt4dinner]

check your PM....give me a call.

[segraves1]

well its up and working......I'm feeding a portion of both of my overflow lines into the skimmer (though the throttle valves are almost off to keep air out.....perhaps 50-75gph total movement through the skimmer).....

any idea how I would cut the amount of air pulled down the overflow pipes in the first place? I have the "dorso" style down tube (the T with the 90 that keeps the intake under water) but I still seem to get bubbles....

[Dirt4dinner]

Chris,
I don't know if this would apply to your situation, I would run it by DaveJNZ via a private message. But, if you have an elbow in your overflow somewhere, you can drill a tiny hole on the top side of the elbow and it will allow that air to escape. I have it done on my system, and I was worried about water shooting out, but it doesn't at all, just spits out air. Good luck. Glad you got the skimmer working!

[dakar]

There is no real way to completely eliminate the air in the overflow using a standpipe....that would defeat the design and compromise the cintinuous siphon. By maxing out the return flow from your sump you can reduce it dramatically, if the water is moving fast enough it will draw less air in. However you run the risk of something obstructing the overflow pipe and leaving you with water on the floor. The same applies to restricting the overflow pipe with a valve, while it will help reduce air it has to stay in near perfect balance.