Skimm z skimmers

ericthered said:
i'm using the e series 201
Click to expand...

i have the model sm201 skimmer and ive had it for about 3 weeks now , after the first week of breaking in i was able to adjust the type of skimming i prefer ( wet ) or ( dry ) …

currently i cant seem to adjust this to “ dry “ skimm ?? The best i can get is water up into the neck but it just bubbles , almost looks like boiling water in a pot ??? I used to be able to get a lot of “ froth “ in my cup but now its finer bubbles , im getting collection , mostly light brownish / yellow

i do have the adjustment pin for air fairly open to get bigger bubbles but cant seem to get back to the “ froth “ any suggestions ?? Something simple im missing ?
 
I'm using the skimz sk-181and it's running good u just have to adjust it and maybe have a lil more water to ur sump or fuge
 
carlos31 said:
this how mine is it's like 2 1/2 inches of water passing the pump View attachment 2214
Click to expand...

hmmmmm ???? For my model , which i think is bigger , they recommend a minimum of 200 mm and that equals about 8" of minimum water level ? Mine is at 8" , it was working good , just for some reason the last few days it started looking like it does ? ( like boiling water in a pot )
 
I use a sm201 and really like it. It produces a ton of really disgusting black skim. I'm sure my biopellets help with this, but even before I was on pellets, it produced a ton, just not as black. It took me a bit to get it dialed in, but once you figure it out, it's a real workhorse.
 
sawdonkey said:
i use a sm201 and really like it. It produces a ton of really disgusting black skim. I'm sure my biopellets help with this, but even before i was on pellets, it produced a ton, just not as black. It took me a bit to get it dialed in, but once you figure it out, it's a real workhorse.
Click to expand...

i have read and heard a lot of good things about these skimmers and decided to go with one , i do like the design of it and am confident when i finally get it dialed in it should do the job i need ... Trying to figure out if its something im doing wrong or not doing to get to this point ? Seems when i turn it off for any reason i have to readjust water height in the chamber ?
You have the same model , where is the water level on yours ?
 
Bowhunter4250 said:
i have read and heard a lot of good things about these skimmers and decided to go with one , i do like the design of it and am confident when i finally get it dialed in it should do the job i need ... Trying to figure out if its something im doing wrong or not doing to get to this point ? Seems when i turn it off for any reason i have to readjust water height in the chamber ?
You have the same model , where is the water level on yours ?
Click to expand...

I run mine with the air valve wide open and only adjust the gate valve to change the internal water height. I find that the external water height isn't that important as long as you have the gate valve adjusted correctly and the sump level isn't changing. I try to keep my water level about an inch or two below the white ring.

Inside the skimmer, I adjust the gate valve so the water foams up enough just so I can see it through the side of the cup. It won't look like it will ever make it to the top of the cup. Give it 12 hours and check back. It will be foamed up to the lid. Then I usually give the gate valve about a full counterclockwise turn and it really starts to produce.

You do have to teak it when you turn it on and off, but why are you turning off anyway? I only turn mine off when doing water changes.

Also, clean the neck every few days with your finger.

It definitely isn't "set it and forget it", but you shouldn't have to mess with it more than once a week
 
Last edited:
sawdonkey said:
i run mine with the air valve wide open and only adjust the gate valve to change the internal water height. I find that the external water height isn't that important as long as you have the gate valve adjusted correctly and the sump level isn't changing. I try to keep my water level about an inch or two below the white ring.

Inside the skimmer, i adjust the gate valve so the water foams up enough just so i can see it through the side of the cup. It won't look like it will ever make it to the top of the cup. Give it 12 hours and check back. It will be flames up to the lid. Then i usually give the gate valve about a full counterclockwise turn and it really starts to produce.

You do have to teak it when you turn it on and off, but why are you turning off anyway? I only turn mine off when doing water changes.

Also, clean the neck every few days with your finger.

It definitely isn't "set it and forget it", but you shouldn't have to mess with it more than once a week
Click to expand...

sounds like i have mine about the same height in my sump , but i do have my air valve closed down slightly more than half , i will try and back it out so its fully open and re adjust the gate valve and see what happens from there ? Do you use that " lock ring " on your gate valve ? Couldnt figure out if that went on top or bottom ? and i was turning it off to clean it every few days but maybe ill let it go for longer ?
But thanks !
 
I'm pretty sure I don't use the lock ring and I probably lost or threw it away. I just leave my skimmer running when I clean it.


My skimmer frustrated me at first, but now I really like it. You'll get it dialed in.
 
sawdonkey said:
i'm pretty sure i don't use the lock ring and i probably lost or threw it away. I just leave my skimmer running when i clean it.


My skimmer frustrated me at first, but now i really like it. You'll get it dialed in.
Click to expand...

sounds good man , thanks ! What is your total volume ? Im around the 250 - 260 tv ?
 
Sawdonkey said:
I run mine with the air valve wide open and only adjust the gate valve to change the internal water height. I find that the external water height isn't that important as long as you have the gate valve adjusted correctly and the sump level isn't changing. I try to keep my water level about an inch or two below the white ring.

Inside the skimmer, I adjust the gate valve so the water foams up enough just so I can see it through the side of the cup. It won't look like it will ever make it to the top of the cup. Give it 12 hours and check back. It will be foamed up to the lid. Then I usually give the gate valve about a full counterclockwise turn and it really starts to produce.

You do have to teak it when you turn it on and off, but why are you turning off anyway? I only turn mine off when doing water changes.

Also, clean the neck every few days with your finger.

It definitely isn't "set it and forget it", but you shouldn't have to mess with it more than once a week
Click to expand...

I run mine similarly, but I have a rapid bubbling that reminds me of boiling water as bowhunter mentioned. Does yours bubble like this or is it more of a froth?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top