Skimmer Stupidity!
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Help
Forum Name: General Help
Forum Description: The place to ask about pest, problems, hitchhikers, etc.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=47906
Printed Date: July 26 2025 at 4:02pm
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Topic: Skimmer Stupidity!
Posted By: builderofdreams
Subject: Skimmer Stupidity!
Date Posted: March 31 2011 at 11:03am
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Ok its now apperent that i cannot figure it out on my own.
Here is my dilema.
I have a Conquest Professional Skimmer,thats what the skimmer says and i can find no info on this skimmer.The issue:
The skimmer is in my sump,though the way the skimmer is set up does not have to be.
It is feed by a 2100 Rio,2500 lph.
My question is how can the water level in the sump control the amount of Skimming.
If to much water the skimmer goes crazy,not enough it does not skim at all.
I do not have an auto top off so i have to constantly monitor this.Drives me crazy.
How does water level affect the pump,and how does the pump know.Is it Pressure or what is it and how do i fix it,without using an autotop and or buying a different skimmer which is not an option right now.Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated.
------------- It's Not a Hobby It's an Obsession 150&210 Gallons of Madness and. Sanity! 801-850-4915 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65135&title=builderofdreams-feedback-post |
Replies:
Posted By: Jeremyw
Date Posted: March 31 2011 at 11:07am
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Unfortunately the only thing you can do with out an auto top off is monitor it like crazy. With any skimmer you will have this issue!
The only other way is to gate mod it. (I believe I could be wrong on this, dont know much about your skimmer) ------------- Next meeting: |
Posted By: WhiteReef
Date Posted: March 31 2011 at 11:14am
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Couldn't you just create a chamber in the sump that is higher than the normal water level and then the depth of the water should remain constant. Then you could create a baffle along with the chamber to reduce any water bubbles that escape. I would think that would work, but since I don't run a skimmer atm I am just saying you might consider it unless others shoot it down. ------------- ---------------- Richard Former 47G Column Reef, Magna 20" x 18" x 31"H |
Posted By: builderofdreams
Date Posted: March 31 2011 at 11:16am
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So it's not just me.Still do not understad how the pump knows how much water is in the sump.Got to be something in the pump that determines the flow rate,relative to wieght ,pressure
or something. ------------- It's Not a Hobby It's an Obsession 150&210 Gallons of Madness and. Sanity! 801-850-4915 http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=65135&title=builderofdreams-feedback-post |
Posted By: tileman
Date Posted: March 31 2011 at 11:31am
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It's the waterpressure on the body of the skimmer that determines how hard it is to force water out of the effluent of the skimmer or up into the collection cup. The higher the water in the sump, the easier it is to force the water up through the neck and into the collection. The lower the water makes it easier to flow out the effluent. That's why the only way to keep it consistant is to have consistant water height or pressure. ------------- 335G Reef TOTM. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2015/2/aquarium ReefKeepers TOTM Feb. 2012 http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....k-of-the-month & |
Posted By: tileman
Date Posted: March 31 2011 at 11:35am
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Usually on good skimmers, you have an effluent chamber that is adjustable. That way you can raise and lower, to determine the amount of pressure within the body. ------------- 335G Reef TOTM. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2015/2/aquarium ReefKeepers TOTM Feb. 2012 http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....k-of-the-month & |
Posted By: Jeremyw
Date Posted: March 31 2011 at 11:40am
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Just like brad said if it does have a chamber to adjust you can do that. The only issue is you will be adjusting it all the time to make sure its consistent, same as you do now with putting water in. ------------- Next meeting: |
Posted By: tileman
Date Posted: March 31 2011 at 11:46am
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Exactly. Thats why you want to have a chamber in your sump that will be able to keep consistent water height. That way you can dial in your skimmer. ------------- 335G Reef TOTM. http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2015/2/aquarium ReefKeepers TOTM Feb. 2012 http://reefkeeping.com/joomla/index....k-of-the-month & |
Posted By: DanhNgo
Date Posted: March 31 2011 at 11:50am
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You will see a lot of people have done the Gate valve mod to their skimmer if it doesn't have on. This allow you to have better control over. I'm not sure what your skimmer look like, but if you can take a picture and post it we can try to help. ------------- 200 Gal Reef 25 Gal Nano Reef |
Posted By: tcfab
Date Posted: March 31 2011 at 12:03pm
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you will always be fighting your skimmer if its not in consistant water level. I would recommend determining what water depth the skimmer performs best at and installing a baffle so you have a skimmer chamber in your sump that way the water level will always be consistant in that chamber and the only place you will see water level changes is in your return pump area. ------------- Need custom acrylic work? give me a call, www.Elite-Aquatics.net (801)645-6386 |
Posted By: CapnMorgan
Date Posted: March 31 2011 at 12:23pm
Exactly  ------------- Steve http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=40637&PID=356246" rel="nofollow - My Old 180G Mixed Reef Currently: 120G Wavefront Mixed 29G Seahorse & Softies Running ReefAngel Plus x2 435-8 |
tcfab wrote:Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: March 31 2011 at 12:41pm
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Posting a picture of your skimmer would also be very helpful...
I tried googling "Conquest Protein Skimmer" and came up empty ------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |