Aqua C EV 180

Picture didn't post. Lets try again.....

 

Thanks, I understand that better now. And as far as back pressure goes there is none since I put it up about an inch on some pvc. The flow is not restricted at all. From what you say I may have my water level inside just a little bit too high. It's about 1/2-1 inch from the top of the black skimmer box. I'll try to lower that a little bit.

Cindy

 

beamer,
Is the Skimmer in a part of the sump effected by evap? If it is the lowering and then raising of the water level will reduce the effectiveness of the skimmer and make you fiddle with it as the water level changes.
Also I don't believe, as John said, that increasing the skimmer output will resolve your problem. I think we need to struggle with the cause. What are your current Phos and Nitrate readings and what are the max readings you have encountered?

But as for the skimmer how often do you need to empty the cup and how often do you clean the clear tube?

Jason

 

The beauty of the AquaC design is that fluctuations in sump level won't effect it's efficiency as long as the return stays above the water level.

-Mickey

 

mmakay, If you know could you explain how evap does not effect the skimmer. I'm curious because that would be a huge selling feature for me and possibly others

Thanks
Jason

 

[quote author=Jason McKenzie link=board=Protein;num=1099279606;start=15#24 date=11/03/04 at 12:20:24]mmakay,  If you know could you explain how evap does not effect the skimmer.  I'm curious because that would be a huge selling feature for me and possibly others

Thanks
Jason[/quote]

The AquaC EV line of skimmers are designed to be used externally from the sump. (Although you can still use them in the sump as long as the water level is below their exit valve.) Their internal water volume depends exclusively on the pump being used and the adjustment of a gate valve on the "exhaust" side of the skimmer. So long as the pump has water to suck in, and the exit valve can flow freely, the water level in the sump is completely irrelevant.

I suppose you could get really technical and say that evaporation effects salinity, which in turn effects bubble production ... well you get the idea! ;D My sump volume varies from week to week by a couple of inches or more, and I never have to re-adjust my EV240. (That's not evaporation ... I try to keep my salinity as stable as possible. Sometimes, though, I may siphon water for some reason or spill something and not bother to replace the volume right away, etc.)

-Mickey

 

Hi Jason!

I'm getting closer to taking care of the cause of the problem. We area going to replace the sand bed. Last week or so I go in my Carib Sea sand that the LFS ordered for me. My husband is looking into a chiller, controll system(aquadyne or something like that) and a couple of other things so that we can have it all taken care of at one time plus we have to move the tank down the wall to get it out from being in front of the AC return.

My husband is going to put a little 12 gl tank in his office. I'm hoping he will take a couple of the fish that we have here. He will be taking some of the coral. I have too much coral as well as too many fish.

Some comments had been made before about being sure my skimmer was working efficiently. That's why I was asking the questions. I do realize it won't take care of the problem but perhaps it will help keep it from getting worse. As it turns out it looks like I had the valve closed off too much and it seems to be skimming better now. I clean out the skimmer a couple of times a week. I probably need to do it a little more frequently.
As far as the clear tube goes I assume you are talking about the tube that goes from the pump to the skimmer. I have run some water through it once when the skimmer wasn't running very well. I have not run a brush through it. And as far as the clear tube that goes from the skimmer to the milk jug. I rinse it out everytime I clean out the overflow cup. Again, I've not used a brush with it.

My last  Water change was done10/15/04
Paramaters as of 10/30/04?

Temp80
pH 7.9-8.0
Amonia 0
Salinity 1.024
Nitrite 0.2
Nitrate 50
Phosphate 2
Calcium 490
Alkalinity around 10dkh (10/15/4)
Magnesium 1300 (10/15/4)
I'll probably do a water change this weekend.
For 4 weeks straight last month I did large water changes weekly per one of the big wigs from RC. I think it was Borneman.  My nitrates would go down but they always popped back up.

Anyway, that's where I stand right now.
Not a whole lot different from when I first got the tank except that the numbers are lower now than then. At least they are on the chart now.

Cindy

 

Cindy,

This may be a really stupid question, but how are the fish and coral? All the coral look healthy with polyps expanded etc? Fish seem healthy?

John

 

Nothing stupid about that question John. With the exception of one or two possibly having a slight case of ich they fish look great with good appetites. Everyone is all out and swimming about. My BTA split a few weeks ago and now he is bigger than ever. My clam looks good. I still have that open brain red coral that's trying to die on me and I'm not too sure about my green brain. This past week it hasn't been opening up as much. My button polpys still are growing  in places they have no business being. Star polyps continue to spread and have been growing some on my glass, the frogspawn and the hammer appear to have gained a new head or two. My Devils hand is getting even bigger, Many baby green ricordia mushrooms, plenty of red mushrooms and the list goes on. I have given some of my coral to the LFS. My husband is getting a 12 gl Nano cube probably next week and I have plenty of everything to give him. He said he doesn't want any of the fish though. I was hoping maybe he would take a couple of the smaller fish like the lyre tail anthias or a couple of chromis. To look at my tank you wouldn't think there was a problem. I have lost a xenia in the last 6 months but I think that is the only coral that has died and I think it was because the tank got too hot one day when I had bumped the thermostat. Within the 6 mos. a anthias jumped out, they started picking on a blenny and it died and my lawnmower gobie croaked for some reason. I still have 20 fish. I just try to do frequent water changes to keep up with it all. I'm just hoping that changing out the sand bed will help. The previous owner had the tank for 1.5 yrs with no problems according to his journal. Just shouldn't have moved the sandbed.

Cindy

 

Cindy,

If you don't do water changes how quickly do the Nitrate, Phos levels rise?

John