Skimmer Riser Extension??

[nisom88]

Hey everybody!
Quick question... Okay, i'm running an ETSS Reef Devil 3 that I've done the beckett injector mod on. I'm using a mag 9.5 to drive the skimmer, but it's much too powerful. I've got to throttle it back so much that it gets hot and heats the water in the 100g up to 82 all by itself. (not good, I know!)
I'd like to keep using the mag, so I was considering extending the riser tube...i thought this would improve the skimmer's efficiency anyhow. Has anyone done this? If I extend the riser tube a foot or so I could adjust the water level up that much higher and in doing so increase the contact time between air and water, right?
I've checked with ETSS, and I don't believe they sell extensions. Does anyone know where to get something like this, or would I have to test my questionable acrylic skills and make one DIY style? I'd rather buy one, as I don't have as much time as I would like for DIY projects. Any ideas??

[Geoff]

just an idea. have you thought about running the pump in-line. this will keep it from directly heating the water. you could then put a fan blowing on it. since it is drawing water from the sump just a simple pvc U tube into the sump would work fine. just an idea.

i will try and take a peek at the ETSS site and see if i can think of a way to extend the riser.

G~

[nisom88]

That's not a bad idea! I never really considered it, but it makes sense. The pump would have to pull the water over the side of the sump, which would cut down flow as well. I might try that...

Thanks

As far as extending the mixing tower, any suggestions?

[Geoff]

this is what i can come up with. i could not find a reliable pic of your exact skimmer. i am guessing that it has a round tube. it is probably this <a href="http://www.aquaticeco.com/aquatic1v1/dir3.icl?secid=24&subsecid=83&catid=1471&orderiden tifier=ID105094006601604366C">4.5" clear acrylic tube.</a>

i think you can fabricate an extension fairly easily, that can be removed. <a href="http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-04/jg/index.htm">this site</a> explains how to make flanges around acrylic tubing.

this is how i would go about doing it, if you need more help let me know.

HTH,

G~

[nisom88]

Great links! Thanks Geoff. I figured I could probably do it myself. The flanges were the only part i was questionable on. It doesn't seem too bad though.

Let me ask you this....do you think extending the mixing tower will improve the skimmer's performance? I just assumed that it would, as the small bubbles will have more contact time with the water, more chance to latch onto organics, right? I would hate to expend all this effort for nothing.

[Geoff]

yes, your thinking is correct. assuming the flow is not so low that any of the bubbles do not escape anyway. you may run into problems with keeping the water level high enough in the chamber.

you may need to put a valve on the outlet to create enough pressure in the chamber to allow a higher water level for more contact time. take note on where the water level is in the chamber now. you will want it to be about the same distrance from the top of the collection cup, as a starting point.

G~

[nisom88]

There's already a gate valve on the outlet, so I'm set there. I can't imagine I'll have a problem keeping the water level high with the amount of pressure this mag puts out....i had no idea how powerful these things are!

The water level is almost 7-9" below the bottom of the collection cup right now...this seems to work out the best for me. After talking to some other folks that have used the skimmer i've found this is where they keep their water level as well. I'll start with the water level the same distance below after the mod.

I'll hopefully get around to it this week and post some pics!

Thanks for your help geoff...