Rich's 5G mini bow nano

[DaveTheReefGeek]

Originally Posted by know-it-all

let me know how the skimmer works
I was eyeing it up earlier today

and welcome to the build

I actually have that skimmer. It works ok, I mean there is only so much you can expect from it's size. Look at it this way... It does not need the size of collection cup that it comes with, as the skimmate evaporates from the collection cup long before it will fill. It by no means removes a large amount of gunk, so you decide. Looking at it from my position if I had to make another purchase to replace it, it would be with something a little more realistic.

Dave.

[DaveTheReefGeek]

Originally Posted by TheBeak

OK, I shut off airflow to the skimmer last night. Even with the little filter cartrige installed, micro bubbles are a major problem.

I'll have to either put a foam block of some sort in the output, or slow down the water flow through the unit (which will force my hand on a PH of some sort.)

Here's what it looked like this morning :

Here's a key piece of info for you, so your skimmer will run better (no bubbles) As you already know, the instructions supplied are useless!!!
So, here we go...
The carbon/floss insert that goes in the return chamber, make sure you DO NOT press it all the way down into the skimmer housing. Gently place it in so it floats, rising up almost against the bottom of the collection cup. This will eliminate your bubbles almost all together. Second... As stupid as it sounds, close the butterfly flow regulator all the way. (water will still pass) then push the air breather tube all the way down so it stops ingesting air. Then move it up about a millimeter or so. You'll know you have it right when it starts making more air noise than you would like!! lol.

Doing this will give the best contact time possible from this unit and produce the most skimmate. (nice tea color). Also, be prepared to frequently clean/replace (I clean) the carbon insert as well as the strainer.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask, would love to help

Hope my info helps, good luck!
Oh yeah one more thing....
Welcome to TRT!!!!

[know-it-all]

Originally Posted by DaveTheReefGeek

I actually have that skimmer. It works ok, I mean there is only so much you can expect from it's size. Look at it this way... It does not need the size of collection cup that it comes with, as the skimmate evaporates from the collection cup long before it will fill. It by no means removes a large amount of gunk, so you decide. Looking at it from my position if I had to make another purchase to replace it, it would be with something a little more realistic.

Dave.

thanks

[DaveTheReefGeek]

no problem.

[know-it-all]

so what would you consider more realistic

[DaveTheReefGeek]

I think there are a couple of good skimmers for nano's. A friend of mine has a 20g reef and uses a AquaC Nano Remora, it's good up to 25g I think. He paid about $130 for it.

[know-it-all]

I think it's a bit out of my budget

[DaveTheReefGeek]

Yeah, i know it's a bit pricy. But it truly ends up saving a lot of hassle in the long term. And you know it's getting everything out.

[fish.freak]

Originally Posted by TheBeak

It's all good, without this thread, I'd have never met sluty-bo-peep.

oh you mean her
Just some guy, you know?

[fish.freak]

Originally Posted by know-it-all

I think it's a bit out of my budget

build one Mr KIA square acrylic box baffle. bulkhead, pump, then buy a collection cup from CPR $20.

[TheBeak]

Originally Posted by DaveTheReefGeek

Here's a key piece of info for you, so your skimmer will run better (no bubbles) As you already know, the instructions supplied are useless!!!
So, here we go...
The carbon/floss insert that goes in the return chamber, make sure you DO NOT press it all the way down into the skimmer housing. Gently place it in so it floats, rising up almost against the bottom of the collection cup. This will eliminate your bubbles almost all together. Second... As stupid as it sounds, close the butterfly flow regulator all the way. (water will still pass) then push the air breather tube all the way down so it stops ingesting air. Then move it up about a millimeter or so. You'll know you have it right when it starts making more air noise than you would like!! lol.

Doing this will give the best contact time possible from this unit and produce the most skimmate. (nice tea color). Also, be prepared to frequently clean/replace (I clean) the carbon insert as well as the strainer.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask, would love to help

Hope my info helps, good luck!
Oh yeah one more thing....
Welcome to TRT!!!!

Thanks, I'll mess with that tonight. my expectations aren't super high for what this cost, but i cant really justify a $100+ skimmer for a 5 gallon project.

while this isn't the nearly free project some have started, it is near its hardware budget already.

[know-it-all]

Originally Posted by fish.freak

build one Mr KIA square acrylic box baffle. bulkhead, pump, then buy a collection cup from CPR $20.

by the time I get done with the acrylic and glue and emergency room visit...

I should just buy one

[DaveTheReefGeek]

Originally Posted by know-it-all

by the time I get done with the acrylic and glue and emergency room visit...

I should just buy one

true. lol

[know-it-all]

Hey Beak
sorry for taking over thread

[TheBeak]

Originally Posted by DaveTheReefGeek

Here's a key piece of info for you, so your skimmer will run better (no bubbles) As you already know, the instructions supplied are useless!!!
So, here we go...
The carbon/floss insert that goes in the return chamber, make sure you DO NOT press it all the way down into the skimmer housing. Gently place it in so it floats, rising up almost against the bottom of the collection cup. This will eliminate your bubbles almost all together. Second... As stupid as it sounds, close the butterfly flow regulator all the way. (water will still pass) then push the air breather tube all the way down so it stops ingesting air. Then move it up about a millimeter or so. You'll know you have it right when it starts making more air noise than you would like!! lol.

Doing this will give the best contact time possible from this unit and produce the most skimmate. (nice tea color). Also, be prepared to frequently clean/replace (I clean) the carbon insert as well as the strainer.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask, would love to help

Hope my info helps, good luck!
Oh yeah one more thing....
Welcome to TRT!!!!

Did this, and it does lessen the bubbles, but there still there.

my current experiment involves a chunk of foam from an aqua clear PF (the really coarse open cell stuff). I cut it down to size, and have it in the bottom of the contact chamber.

This does seem to stop most of the microbubbles, but I'm guessing the occasional macro bubble will hurt skim efficiency as it rises back up through the contact chamber. given that it also decreases the size of the chamber, i may not be satisfied with its ability to skim.

I wont know that until I get some bio load in there.