Aqua C EV-180

Evening everyone. I just picked up an Aqua-C EV-180 with a Dolphin DP-800 pump for my 75 Gallon. I was told this skimmer would be more than enough for the 75 and would be great for tanks of 180 plus gallons. My question is, I need to run this pump external as I am out of room in the wet dry to out it in there. I was actually thinking, since I have to run the skimmer pump external, if I should just go ahead and run the mag drive 9.5 for the wet/dry external also and free up some heat in the tank for the sharks. Is it possible to run both skimmer and wet/dry off the mag drive? Please advise. If not, then who in IL does the drilling? I am handy, but have never done anything with acrylic and do not want to crack a $200 plus filter set-up. Any help on making this new skimmer work is greatly appreciated. Thank you again for your time.

Todd

 

I've read the manual for the 180 a few times since I have to set up my 125 this weekend.

You can split the return to feed into the skimmer and have the skimmer return back into ... well, return area. Skimmer just needs to have the return from the skimmer lower since it can't flow up, only down.

I question if the mag 9.5 will be powerful enough however. They want a mag 7 for the skimmer by itself. Could get a more powerful pump and do the split.

For the 125 I just purchased, I have a Mag 18 for the return and a mag 7 powering the EV180 and a Mag 3 that will be split to power the UV, CD, Calc Reactor (added later), and Phosphate remover (added later ... need more $$$).

 

I guess I am really new or just plain dumb and do not understand fully what you mean....

I have the wet/dry filtering the water with return to tank...can I take the return to the tank and put that in the inlet of the skimmer and from there back to the tank? I'm ignorant to how this works. I apologize. I am new to this protein skimmer stuff. I use a hang on one for me reef that works great so this one is new for me.

I am thinking to save trouble to have the pump for the filter plumbed external and do the same for the skimmer as well. That way all pumps are out of the filter reducing heat and I do not have to hassle with connecting the 2 together. Easiest way to do it is best for me.

Thanks,

Todd

 

You get a T splitter of some sort. If your sink has two drain pipes, it has one. I just don't think a mag 9.5 will power both. Right now I'm redesigning my Fuge so I can fit 3 pumps in it and still maximize the space.

I say have the skimmer outside and let it flow back in. The manual ( http://www.proteinskimmer.com/EV180.pdf ) shows some pics that will help explain what I mean.

 

I realize I will need a "T". I guess I am asking if putting both pumps external is the way to go. That way I do not even have to worry about the 9.5 pumping both units. Each device will have it's own pump. Is that a better route to take? If so, who here in the burbs of Chicago drill holes for the filters? I do not want to attempt it myself.

Todd

 

Tood is the filter made of glass or acrylic? Drilling acrylic is easy and can be done with a fine wood hole saw bit even. Glass isn't too hard but can be scary - if glass, some glass stores may drill it or they may not. I say this because I took my 10 gallon sump to a glass store to be drilled and since the glass couldn't lay flat because of the aquarium trim, he wouldn't drill it.

Some aquarium stores may drill it for you too.

Not sure if two or one pump would be better to be honest with you. One would be cleaner, but two would give you the ability to adjust one without having to adjust the other I would think. Not sure though. :-/ I bet Gresham would know.

(Where did you end up buying your tank Crutkas?)

 

The filter is acrylic. I could cut the holes myself I'm sure. I have plenty of tools for it, just hate to do it wrong is all. I will try it and see what happens. Worst case, I buy a new filter right???? ;D

I guess that would give me a chance to get a really large one or have a custom one built to accommodate the protein skimmer and everything else I may need later down the road.

Thanks for all the input. Any advice from anyone else on the proper set-up for this is always welcomed and appreciated.

Todd

 

bought the tank via a guy on reefcentral ... Highlander. Got a deal for both the stand and tank.

 

Good luck Todd. Send an email to Gresham and see what he says.

[quote author=crutkas link=board=Newbie;num=1094867075;start=0#7 date=09/11/04 at 14:34:58]bought the tank via a guy on reefcentral ... Highlander.  Got a deal for both the stand and tank.[/quote]


8) 8) 8)
That's gonna be a great tank.

 

I called and spoke to Aqua C themselves...they stated that I would need (2) separate pumps to run both the filter and skimmer unless I went to a MAG 24 pump. That one pump would be enough to run both units. May do that. I may try and drill the 1" holes myself in the filter and see how that goes first though instead of buying the bigger pump. If I crack the filter then I start over from scratch and buy a bigger filter system that can house the skimmer and the MAG 24 pump all in one. Or better yet, build my own sump. We shall see. The skimmer should be here this week.

Todd