More Skimmer questions

OneDummHikk · 03-05-2008, 09:54 PM

Is there a rule of thumb for determining the best water flow through a skimmer? I got another skimmer today that was given to me. Another Pro Clear Aquatics that is almost identical to the smaller one I have, just larger. It doesn't have a pump with it. When I find it online, it is this one:

http://www.globalpets.com/SPD/procle...-950730678.jsp

CA1800 pump - 635gph.

Or this one:

http://www.globalpets.com/SPD/procle...-952542179.jsp

CA2200 pump - 850 gph

The second one doesn't give dimensions. The one I have is 23" total height, the cup is 5". Everytime I email or try to call globalpets, I don't get an answer. Not very customer friendly.

What I am trying to figure out is this. If the one I have is the smaller of the two, and I put a 850gph pump on it, is it going to be too much pump or does a larger pump help a skimmer work better?

hng · 03-06-2008, 10:05 AM

I would use a pump size that they recommended. Usually, they do reasearch and testing to find the ideal pump that works with that height and width. If you go too small or too big, it may actually cut down on the efficiency of the skimmer.

OneDummHikk · 03-06-2008, 12:24 PM

Thank you Hoang. I called the distributor for Pro Clear products - GlobalPets - and talked to the lady there. The skimmer guy is supposed to call me back in the morning (he is out today) and try to help me identify which one it is so I can get the right pump for it. The funny thing is, there facility isn't but a 15 minute drive from me but they aren't open to the public as far as I know.

ckusnierek · 03-06-2008, 12:37 PM

I had used that same skimmer for a while. It's now collecting dust...

You need to use the recommended pump (CA2200) because the outlet riser is so small if you have too much flow it will just overflow. Now if you could replace the outlet and add a gate valve you could go with a bigger pump.

OneDummHikk · 03-06-2008, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckusnierek

I had used that same skimmer for a while. It's now collecting dust...

What were the problems with it?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckusnierek

You need to use the recommended pump (CA2200) because the outlet riser is so small if you have too much flow it will just overflow. Now if you could replace the outlet and add a gate valve you could go with a bigger pump.

I am not sure if the one I have uses the CA2200 or the CA1800. When the guy calls me back and we can figure out which one it is, I will use the right pump for it.

The outlet on this one is broken and I have to repair it. I can do just about anything I want with it as far as changing the outlet. I could potentially even replace it entirely with larger pipe if I needed to. The gate valve change was something that HNG also suggested on the smaller one I have and since I have to re-do the outlet on this one (if I use it) then a gate valve would be what I used for water level control.

hng · 03-06-2008, 01:55 PM

Randy, if the cost of the pump and supplies to mod the skimmer is going to be $100 or more, then I would really recommend that you just get an octopus skimmer instead. It is a very well made skimmer, good design, and efficient without modifications (though you could mesh mod if you needed to). I don't really have any high hopes for that skimmer you've got, it really doesn't look wide enough to me to get a good skimate.

ckusnierek · 03-06-2008, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneDummHikk

What were the problems with it?

The proclear just was not very effective. It skimmed very dry. and was very limited as far any adjustments. The reaction chamber was so small it crudded up in just a few days and required cleaning and maintance to often.

And it has a tiny collection cup with a built in drain. I dont like the drain because if it goes nuts you could loose you entire system overnight as well as have a flood. If the drain is capped it needed to be emptied way too often.

I now have a Octopus NW-200 (under $200) and love it.

OneDummHikk · 03-06-2008, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ckusnierek

The proclear just was not very effective. It skimmed very dry. and was very limited as far any adjustments. The reaction chamber was so small it crudded up in just a few days and required cleaning and maintance to often.

And it has a tiny collection cup with a built in drain. I dont like the drain because if it goes nuts you could loose you entire system overnight as well as have a flood. If the drain is capped it needed to be emptied way too often.

I now have a Octopus NW-200 (under $200) and love it.

Thank you. I think I will tinker with it and see what it does. I have a pump for it (depending on which one it needs). If I can mod it and get it to be satisfactory then I will use it. If not, I will let it collect dust.

OneDummHikk · 03-06-2008, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hng

Randy, if the cost of the pump and supplies to mod the skimmer is going to be $100 or more, then I would really recommend that you just get an octopus skimmer instead. It is a very well made skimmer, good design, and efficient without modifications (though you could mesh mod if you needed to). I don't really have any high hopes for that skimmer you've got, it really doesn't look wide enough to me to get a good skimate.

I have two different pumps that have the same flow rate as the two that it could potentially use. So the only thing it would cost me is the overflow mods. May try it and if it doesn't work, just get an octopus.

hng · 03-06-2008, 03:37 PM

There are few mods that can reasonably be done with a venturi skimmer. The gate valve mod for the outlet (to control the water level in the reaction chamber) is not cheap. Most gate valves cost about $15-20. You may want to use a simple ball valve at first and if it works well, then spend the money on a gate valve. If it doesn't seem to work very well, then you can always take the ball valve back to the store.

depitch · 03-07-2008, 04:46 AM

I agree with Hng, had similar pro-clear that came with my wet-dry.

They are inefficient skimmers but are ok if you have a low bio-load.

You can you get a Rio or Vi-aqua pump rated for 600-700 GPH safely with that skimmer and you won't need a gate valve. They should be under 50 bucks.

HTH

Doug

Loverotties · 03-07-2008, 06:06 AM

If the pump is $100 bucks, go with the oct.

OneDummHikk · 03-07-2008, 11:42 AM

Thanks everyone. I think I am going to try it with the pumps I have and if it doesn't work the way I want it to, just put it up and get one that will. Was just trying to see if it was something I could use instead since I had it.