Please look at the setup......

OK, I just got this old style ETSS skimmer in the mail today. I was told that I may need to dial down the Mag 9 that I bought with it, so I found a use for the extra fixtures I had purchased. It did not come with instructions, so I have done what looks logical. I just need confirmation from those who have worked with this type before.

This is the overall set up. I am presuming the PH is connected to the top. That makes sense, as there are bioballs in the tube. I presume the bottom white PVC with valve is the outlet.



What confuses me is where the air comes into play. I think the ETSS has downdraft technology, so I would further presume that the air intake is the broken white fixture at the top of the unit. It looks as if air is sucked in as water cruises on by it, creating a negative pressure of sorts. I may need to replace this with something that I can regulate. That can be McGyvered.




Anyway, let me know if I am on or off base. Also, any input regarding anything that can improve that which I have and put together. I am putting this thing into action tomorrow night after the silicone finishes curing on my drip drip leak.

TIA.......John.

 

That looks sweet! Sorry I cannot help, this is beyond my knowledge :-/

 

Tangster where are you? LOL That thing looks like a beast. Do you want skimmate or do you want skimmate

 

I have a feeling I am going to get skimmate. Mucho skimmate.

 

hear is link to the manual for that skimmer.

http://www.superskimmer.com/Manuals_Cat/Oper-InstrETSSTotal.pdf

 

You are on the right track with the set up very simple and straight forward pump hose skimmer and a control valve between pump and skimmer , the manual for a ETSS beyond the physical set up is about useless you get it set up running and allow it to cure up a few days then we will dial it in.. Thats a hell of a skimmer I used it for many yrs.. ETSS's need lots of water high pressure and air lots and lots of air but they skim . You will need to elevate in the sump use some 4" pipe couplings is what I used I had 4 couplings connected or stacked with a stub of pipe and had it out the water high enough to allow a container to set under the outlet to allow that water to run though carbon and some floss .
A friend I made here got a 2600 ETSS and the manual did him little good maybe Darren will chime in here ? But after a month we had it skimming like a champ .

John get a 3/4fip x 3/4 slip 90' for the inlet of the pump so to keep it anout 1" from the bottom of the sump it will suck air and that will mess up the skimmer . John also the downdraft column has the bio balls and the little white broken thing is where the air is sucked in I had glued that before but I guess it busted ? Not needed anyways as you re correct thats where the air is sucked in and if its to loud then cut the broken fitting off right where it takes the right angle then simply slip a length of 3/8 vinyl tubing onto it there and this will lower the sound of the air sucking sound . Again this is sometimes a problem not always .I ran it open just like it is now.

Up under that top section you had to slip in to the water down shaft where the white PVC F.M adp. is that adapter has a injector cone screwed into it from the black top inside the column . That creates the higher pressure , then a sudden low pressure and this sunks in more air you'll see once you get it running.. Get some tubing also for the collection cup . I had it draining into a old gallon milk container.. You can also get a auto cut off waste collection container that will shut the skimmer off automatically when its filled up with skimmate . It will foam like wet crazy for a week or so for that I'd use a bucket ( it will seriously skim to catch up. Once the tank is close to well skimmed it will settle down and be more steady in the out put.

 

Cool. I am eager to get it running. I will head to Home Depot today to get the parts. Oh darn. An excuse to go to HD. I am going to get a 20g long to run all of this stuff in. In my 15g, I have three powerheads, that beast of a skimmer, a filter sock, a heater and that's about all the room I have. I will have to re-plumb my cabinet, but that will not be difficult. Fun with new equipement!!!!!

Replumbing is necessary for my manhood as I am playing catch up on my testosterone. When I turned on the TV last night, Jon & Kate plus 8 was on. Kate was complaining at Jon that he was unorganized. Do I need to hear this? Seriously. "Gosh, I wonder if they are going to have another one......wouldn't that be fabulous???!!!" Ugh.

Plumbing, plumbing, plumbing.

 

Do yourself and tank a favor and throw the sock in the trash , why filter out the food ? and the skimmer will take care of the rest . Socks are a total waste and why people buy and use them beats me.. Hell I stir my sump up and feed the tank that way .

 

But there was this guy......and he used it........and he is the one who sold me the tank........and that would represent change........and......OK, I'll get rid of the sock.

The primary use of that sock was to suppliment the Jebo. Hey Tangster.....I have a great in-sump Jebo skimmer for sale....let's say....$200? It's wonderful......