Pump for AquaC EV-120?

[AV8er]

So I am setting up my EV-120 and while they are generally used with the Mag 5 (500 gph), I have always heard/read that the skimmer performs much better with a Mag 7 (700 gph) run wide open... so I bought the Ehiem equivalent to the Mag 7 (which would be the Eheim 1260 (635 gph)).

However, even with the skimmer elevated almost completely out of the water and the air inlet run wide open, it's way too much. I'm not talking just wet skimmate... I'm talking endless overflowing.

I am happy to just use the Mag 5, but want to get the most out of the skimmer. Am I missing something?

- Jon

 

[gweston]

I have an EV-120, but haven't had it in active use with a populated tank just yet. I did have it running on a bin of curing liverock. I use a Mag7 pump. I found it to be a bit finicky to tune in. I figured it was due to being on a rock curing set up and the skimmer being oversized for a ~30 gallons.

One thing I noticed. I have a tube on the outlet that runs to the brute bin. If the outlet for the water was positioned too high, it would overflow or not maintain a proper water level in the skimmer. I also had to use a ball valve to to adjust flow of water going into the skimmer, to tune it back just slightly. I then used the gate valve on the skimmer to adjust the water level until it was exactly at the height of the black box. Right at the base of the clear riser part of the skimmer. I also had the air intake opened up all the way.

I have heard good things about the EV skimmers, but the initial tune-in requires some time. You may need to make small adjustments, then walk away and come back after a while. It is easy to overcompensate. It will look ok, but after the skimmer settles, it may have been over adjusted.