Eshopps PSK 75H Water Level?

New skimmer and after initial problems finally got it running. Hung the skimmer on the tank and started to tighten the nylon screw to anchor to the tank. The screw was turning easily and I wasn't watching close enough and the tab with the screw was being pushed out at an angle. When I noticed it I stopped and the tab was broken off. It's very fragile and broke easily but some strong plastic cement put the tab back stronger than new. Had a heck of a time getting the pump primed but finally started pumping and producing lots of bubbles. Then I noticed the leak. Thought it was leaking around the pump outlet connector so removed the pump and put a bit of aquarium silicone under the O ring to see if it would seal better. Everything back together but leak still there. Used a paper towel to absorb the water and finally found that the leak was where the pipe enters the blue plate. A bead of silicone and finally got the leak stopped. Got the skimmer running and was intent on watching for a leak and didn't notice the water level. It promptly filled the collection cup and overflowed all down the side of the tank and stand. Got that cleaned up, water level adjusted and finally the skimmer is running.

Question is where should the water level be? I currently have it set right at the blue ring on top of the main tube just under the collection cup. Should it be a little higher like right up to the bottom of the collection cup? The instructions say the water level should be maintained at the bottom of the neck and I'm not sure what that is supposed to mean.

 

I had almost the exact same issues with mine. The same black piece broke off the body and I had a leak at the outlet tube where it passes through the body. Super glue and silicone were my fixes as well. I have a psk-100h so essentially the same model.

The water level your at currently is too low. You actually want it in the collection cup portion of the tube, obviously without overflowing. The level you choose will also depend on wether you prefer to wet skim or dry skim.

Wet skimming- the water level will be anywhere from the very rim top of the tube in collection cup to about 1/2" below it. With this method you won't have much of the foaming froth your used to seeing but rather a fizzle-like soda.

Dry skimming- water level will be anywhere from half way in the tube down to nearly the bottom of the collection cup. Setting in this manner will give you the foam.

The skimmer adjustment is very sensitive. You can make large adjustments quick, but fine tuning will require a more steady hand. And give a few minutes to check results in-between your fine adjustments to give the skimmer time to react.

These are what I've learned from my experience with my skimmer. Your results and water levels may vary somewhat depending on bio-load in your tank. You may not even see good results until after the skimmer is broken-in and has a nice slime coat on it's internals. So expect to see lots of fizz type bubbles until then. This can take anywhere from 1-3 weeks. Be patient with it. Mine works awesome now after almost two months with no further issues.

Hope this helps

 

Thanks Nismo. Good to know I'm not the only one who experienced problems. Hope someone from Eshopps is looking in on this so they can fix it and spare others the issues. So far the skimmer is nice and quiet other than a quiet bubbling. I currently have a Remora in my refugeum which is in another room behind my display tank and it is pretty noisy. As soon as the PSK kicks in I'll turn off the Remora. I've adjusted the water level so I'll wait for the break in.

BTW... nice car if you're driving a 400r. I have an 07 350Z Solar Orange and I love it. We currently have a lot of snow here and the Z doesn't mind it a bit.

 

Glad I could help. I'm not sure if the lack-luster quality is a fluke or what. In my research when looking for an affordable HOB I didn't read anything like we experienced. Maybe they rushed em...I waited over a month for mine because it was on backorder.

I wish I had a 400R! LOL. No way I'd drive one of those through a Buffalo winter ;^). Just something I used to idolize when I was a bit younger. Truth be told I'm actually a Mitsu guy. Had an 11 sec. Daily driver eclipse for some time.

Back to the skimmer...I just gave mine a vinegar and water cleaning last night. Left everything completely intact and found a container suitable for mounting it to. Left overnight, I woke up this morning and rinsed it out with Tap water. Then I rinsed the container I used for the vinegar and filled it with fresh RO water. Hooked up my skimmer with the intent of leaving for a few more hours to rinse. Now it's not producing small bubbles. Just large ones that can't produce foam on their best day. Idk what happened. I didn't take anything apart. Send eshopps an e-mail and waiting for a response. Not sure if it's due to freshwater or what? But it shouldn't matter...:^( anyway,nice chatting.

 

Hahaha nevermind. Make a note that the skimmer will not work as designed in freshwater!!! Put it back in my tank with fingers crossed since I hadn't heard anything from eshopps and I wanted it in there for my WC tomorrow. Working like a charm!! Learned something else about it today.

 

LOL, I am a Nissan master tech- you two crack me up. ;D

I have a PSK-300 and it works really well. I have a Bak Pak 2 on my 29 and it works ok. Eshopps makes a good skimmer- give it time, you will be impressed.

 

"Funny how,what's so funny about me"....lol.

Cool alpha-I'm a BMW master tech.

 

I'm a retired Master Sergeant. (USAF, retired 1979).