Anyone with an Aqua C EV Skimmer!

I just picked up an Aqua C EV 240 skimmer. It has no gate valve however.

I have a couple of questions though!

Can I put a ball valve there instead of a gate valve?

Do I even need a valve there at all?

Can that valve be under water if I Tee it up? I would just put a Tee there and pipe it down under the water and then the top of the Tee up enough out of the water in the sump to vent it?!?!?!?

I dont have enough height in the cabinet to raise the skimmer!

Thanks!

 

you definately need and want a gate valve, not a ball valve. you cant plumb it under the water, the output should not have any back pressure on it.

 

I got the ev180. the gate valve gives you better control depending on your water level you could tee it like u want,as long as your water level isnt over the black box part of the skimmer where the air intake is .i got mine wide open(valve). and my sump level is right at the outlet.

 

So I can put a gate valve, then a Tee off that, one end of the Tee going below the water(the gate valve will be partly under water too)...then the top of the Tee would come up out of the water about 3''-4''.

As long as the black box of the skimmer is not fully submerged I should be ok. I will try to leave an inch of it out of the water.

 

where is your level going to be in regards to the outlet?
id try running with out the tee, i dont see why u would need it.unless for bubble control

 

I am trying to rework my sump....but the water level may be half way up the valve opening.

Also another question...can I get a 90 elbow(treaded on one side) and go directly into the skimmer and then on the other side of the elbow put the gate valve there? this will save me a few inches in my sump and give me more room for the refugium.

Let me know if having that 90 will effect any performance!

Thank You!

 

i think youll be fine with a water level at mid point on the exit.the gate valve is to bring water level up in skimmer.id run it and see how it does.i tried having the water level hi/low and having the gate v. wide open has worked best for me.
if you put a elbow AND a gate v. i think will restrict it too much

 

As long as you get the water line right at the top of the black smoked acrylic or real close with the bubbles swirling then you will be ok. Give it a try like others said but watch the overflow collection cup that you use real close for the fist few days as if you put to much water towards the main collection cup it will spill out a lot of water to the overflow and then on to your floor.

 

yea....i dont want a flood thats for sure.
I also have the large overflow collection cup that came with this skimmer...not a bad deal huh for $200?!?

 

I sent a guy from Aqua C a couple emails and here is the correspondence....let me know your thoughts!
This is his last reply….scroll down for the beginning questions!
It's ok to have the gate valve partially submerged, as long as the water level in that sump chamber remains constant. If the water level fluctuates and drops below the gate valve, the amount of restriction on the water exiting the skimmer will change, disrupting the water level within the skimmer, and it will need to be re-tuned every time the water level changes. So, the skimmer can be tuned to run with the gate valve partially submerged, but if the water level fluctuates, you'll want to run it with the gate valve above the highest water level to prevent the need to constantly adjust the skimmer. This is only if the skimmer is installed in-sump; if the skimmer is installed externally and connected to the sump via bulkhead, you'll need to run the skimmer above the highest possible water level (the water level in the sump with the system shut off). Otherwise, the skimmer can overflow and cause a flood if the power goes out.
If my water level comes half way up the valve opening is that ok or will that not work to well or effect performance?
Generally, a ball valve is not going to be as precise as a gate valve, so it'll be harder to set the water level in the skimmer. Any 1.5" ball valve will work, however, so if you find one at Home Depot or any local hardware or plumbing store, go ahead and use it. You can install an elbow, as long as the valve still sits horizontally.
Do I have to use a gate valve there? Can I grab a ball valve from Home Depot and install it? Also would it affect anything if I installed a 90 elbow there and then the ball/gate valve? Getting tight in the sump!