Need to buy a new skimmer

[naturebatslast]

If I am reading correctly You said when you lowered the water level it worked better. This is very true for a AquaC a big point alot miss. If the water level is too high it cuts off the air to the injector. The EV series are good skimmers but much like an air skimmer they work best with a little less water in the column and more air. If you look at the internal chamber at the top of he mixing box, it should be 98% air or you haven't got it tuned correctly.

FWIW, I've heard that Aqua C has remanufactured the injectors making them a little more cleaner than the older melted ones and performing a wee bit more.
Talking to Jason Kim, owner of Aqua C, he disputes the water level claim and says his skimmers are designed to have the level adjusted to almost it's highest level. I had issues with mine and that was one of his reccomendations. I was hesitant at first, but it worked. I even suggested that I want to upsize my pump beyond the recommend Mag 5, but he said this would not improve the EV120 performance. His second was having the air injector open all the way.
The quirky part of this I find my air injector clogs quickly (salt) and I have to check it every month, but this may be a function of my sump design (or lack of a design).

For the money I spent on it, I think I would buy a modded ASM if I had to buy another one.

 

[delta]

FWIW, I've heard that Aqua C has remanufactured the injectors making them a little more cleaner than the older melted ones and performing a wee bit more.
Talking to Jason Kim, owner of Aqua C, he disputes the water level claim and says his skimmers are designed to have the level adjusted to almost it's highest level. I had issues with mine and that was one of his reccomendations. I was hesitant at first, but it worked. I even suggested that I want to upsize my pump beyond the recommend Mag 5, but he said this would not improve the EV120 performance. His second was having the air injector open all the way.
The quirky part of this I find my air injector clogs quickly (salt) and I have to check it every month, but this may be a function of my sump design (or lack of a design).

For the money I spent on it, I think I would buy a modded ASM if I had to buy another one.

Not sure If we are talking about the same water line I was refering to the internal skimmer box not the riser column.
Another issue is the pumps. On the EV 120 if you use a iwaki 20 the skimmer rocks, but the Mag5 drives the skimmer but only so so.
I have used the iwaki 20 on the EV 120 it cranks.
I totally disagree with him on the air valve totally open. I set my water level so the skimmer is producing wet foam then dial it in with the air valve.

But what ever gets you there is what is important

 

[naturebatslast]

Sorry, threadjacking
Wow, an Iwaki, I've heard of using an Ehiem but not that.
Kim was referring to adjusting it right up to where the base meets the riser column. I found older instructions on the skimmer that say to run it at the level your talking about, but the new instructions and talking to Kim changed my mind. He even recommended the Mag 5. It may really be an issue of Iwaki vs Mag.
Generally I get a pretty dry, murky, dark skimmate, maybe I'll play around with it. I even think a friend offered me an Iwaki for a basement sump project, it was too small for my needs but I can't remember it's size.

 

[reefsmurf]

Just a fyi: there's no way to get support directly from ASM so this is a HUGE negative IMO. They don't even have a website or a phone # or email address they can be reached out (say whaaaa?) and their skimmers come with no manuals.

I just picked up a AquaC EV-180 from a fellow reefer for a future upgrade, and the thing is very well built. The customer service from AquaC is phenomenal too.

I like the way Precision Marines are built, they seem to have among the best acrylic bodies I've seen.. not sure how well they run though, I only have the smaller outdated models.

The Octopus are ripoffs of Euroreef (?) and are supposedly decent and cheap. I have a NW-110 I'm going to play with to see how well they work. Build quality is not too high but not terrible.

Matt are you selling that busted Euroreef? I'm starting a skimmer collection If you want you can borrow my AquaC to see how well it works, as long as you promise not to break it

 

[Matt L.]

Yes, I am selling the Euroreef. I just wanted to figure out specifically what model it was. I had forgotten How much would be a reasonable asking price for a perfectly intact body (with new foam) but no pump?

Matt

 

[me2003]

The sump design etc can effect how well your protein skimmer works.

I like the ASM G2. The ASM and euroreef design is the best from a power consumption and efficiency that I have seen. Some of the models do not work well. For example the Euroreef 5-3 is difficult to adjust. There needs
to be a minimum height, chamber diameter and upper collection tube diameter
to be able to adjust correctly. Some of the cheaper Euroreef,ASM etc. are not well designed.
minimum height 21+"
minimum chamber diameter 6"
upper collection tube diameter 3.5+"
The height is needed for interaction time.
If the chamber diameter and collection tube diameter
are not correct you will never get the drier coffee like foam.
If you look at the models you are considering they mostly have
those characteristics. ETS,AQUA C, and needle wheel based
designs all are now create plenty of foam IMHO.

Champion lighting may be able to support a ASM if you purchase
from them. I am not sure how much support you need for a protein skimmer.


http://www.championlighting.com/product.php?productid=18246&cat=515&page=1

 

[skatezen]

Matt,

If you're still looking for a great needle wheel look into the Reeflo Orca. I have the 200 fed directly from my overflow and I'm super happy with it. Very high quality skimmer and it kicks serious butt. There are a few threads on RC if you want more info or shoot me a PM if you have any questions.

Best,
Jeff

 

[naturebatslast]

On the EV 120 if you use a iwaki 20 the skimmer rocks, but the Mag5 drives the skimmer but only so so.
I have used the iwaki 20 on the EV 120 it cranks.

But what ever gets you there is what is important

Hey Greg, took your advice while setting up a new basement sump and had a chance to play around with overdriving the EV120 with a Mag9.5 instead of the recommended Mag5. I've split the pump with a ball vaue to to tune the flow into the skimmer. Already I'm noticing thicker, finer bubbles. Eager to see how this will work out, although I'll be picking up a used G3 at the meeting.