How to setup skimmer (1 Viewer)

[angel4]

Can someone help me with setting up this PM skimmer. I was told it's a PM venturi series ES 100:

http://www.precisionmarine.com/html/es100.html


But it does not look quite like it. It has 2 inputs and 1 output.

 

[doubletap4311]

looks like the inputs, left side and middle need to be tee'd off and are your supply. the right side is your return with the valve. I would replace it with a ball valve for greater control.

 

[angel4]

What do you mean by the inputs need to be tee'd off?

You mean 1 pump feeds into both?

I actually am testing it with 2 pumps, 1 for each input, in fresh water and I don't see any bubbles.

 

[doubletap4311]

My last skimmer was identical. One pump with a tee. That made water to flow into each input. As far as bubbles, your venturi which is connected to the vertical black hose may be clogged or the pump is not large enough to pull air thru the venturi. I ran a mag 18 on my skimmer

 

[angel4]

I 'll check the airline and the rating of the pumps.

I plan to put this skimmer in the sump and intent to just allow the return water to fall back into the sump. As long as I keep the output nozzle above the water level in the sump, I should be ok, right?

Btw, what is the brand of this skimmer?

Thanks for the help.

 

[cope]

I have that same skimmer, You can come by my shop in LaPorte and check out how mine is set up.... let me know and I will tell you where my shop is at.....

 

[cope]

try this

 

[cope]

better pic

the pump runs everything...

 

[angel4]

skimmer

Thanks cope,
Look like you have 2 different setups there. the 1st picture shows 6 branches, the 2nd picture shows 5.
1) The lowest branch goes from the sump and feeds the pump.

2) The 2nd lowest is the return from the skimmer to the sump.

I assume the pump feeds all other branches:
3) The 3rd is the input to the skimmer that has the venturi that draws air.

4) The 4th is the other input to the skimmer.

What are the 5th and 6th lines which have the clear tubing?

 

[cope]

you have a good eye.... yes.. same skimmer... same tank... I just did not like the way it was set up.. so I re-did it.... the last one is how it is now...

 

[cope]

the 5th went to a UV light.... did not work correctly because both tubes were inlets...? not sure how the person figured that out.... but it did not circulate...

 

[reefling]

there were likely no bubbles because the higher input was going at a lower pace. mine has a ball valve and open it does not make any bubbles. if i close it about halfway the tube looks as if it has been painted white. i cleaned the tube when i got the skimmer(for the venturi) to do it, i removed the tube. put it in a bowl of hot water. let the tube fill with water, then i blew really hard through the tube and that helped a lot. got lots of gunk out. just a thought....

 

[angel4]

skimmer

I am testing with 2 pumps, a 600gph pump for the lower input with the venturi and a 200, 300 gph pump for the higher input.

With only the 1st pump running, I can see a fair amount of bubbles but that pump can not raise the level of water in the skimmer high enough by itself.

When I turn on the 2nd pump, it will help fill up the skimmer but the high column of water suppresses the bubbles. I can't hardly see any bubbles any more.

I will remove the venturi and put it in hot water and see if it clears it up.

 

[cope]

you need to regualate the output... need a gate valve to slow down the exit water... this will raise the surface bubbles... it is a fine tune type of thing

not sure the GPH is the pump ID is 4mdqx-sc it;s not that big... it is the only pump on the filter system..

 

[angel4]

Well, I still don't know why that venturi does not work.

I took the venturi out and put it in hot water. I used a tooth pick and poked thru the little hole and it went thru. I blew in it and I got a lot of bubbles.

I guessed the pump was not pushing thru it fast enough so I replaced the pump and plumbing.

I now have a 1,000 gph pump feeding both inputs thru 1/2" pvc. It would pull in some bubbles for a few minutes and then stop.

I now add an air pump and it blows a lots of air in that skimmer. It works now but it should not have needed an air pump, should it?