Calling all MRC MR-2 owners...insight pls

[superwizbang]

Hello gang.

I got lucky this weekend and picked up a MR-2 skimmer for a song. It has a couple small repair spots but this is more cosmetic and does not hinder performance. The guy simply upgraded to a brand new one. Anyhow, after rearranging the baffles in my refugium (which has now taken more of a sump role rather than a refugium...) it fits and will be plumbed in tonight.

To the question, where should the water be placed in the first riser? I know this is subjective, but give me your best answer and I will take the average. I just need a starting point to start tinkering. I read 2"-4" above where the base meets the first riser. Is this right?

As always, thanks crew. The time is drawing near for my first critters. This tank has been up for three weeks and the previous one for a month before that. All the sand and rock is very ready. A few more weeks and I might have something. Ha!

-K

[tdwyatt]

Originally Posted by superwizbang

...where should the water be placed in the first riser? I know this is subjective, but give me your best answer and I will take the average. I just need a starting point to start tinkering. I read 2"-4" above where the base meets the first riser. Is this right?

This is close,, I usually start with my MR-2 at about 4 cm below the first ring with the air wide open, then cut back on the air if the water foams so much that it runs over as very wet thin skimmate. Watch the column for 48 hours (check VERY often, at least once an hour), and drop the water level if necesswary (if you shut ofr the air and it still bubbles over, for exmple.) You'll need to keep your hands out of the tank while making the adjustments, and don't feed, as both of these can bring your skimmate production to a halt.

The actual instructions for the skimmers are available on the mrc site under the faq section found HERE , or just drop Andy an email at myreefcreations.com, he is always willing to help with the product whether you are the first owner or the 15th one (yeah, they hold up pretty well). You may also want to look at some of the upgrades afailable for your unit (the quick release makes cleaning a breeze).


hth

[PaulKlug]

Sounds liek exactly what I do. So I second that post. I'm just now startign to figure out how to tune it just right and liek it very much. Took about 2 months to get to know my skimmer. haha could have been faster if I had payed a little more attention to it.
Also very good advice about the quick release. I got it and it makes it so much easier to clean especially getting it out from in my stand.
Paul

[superwizbang]

Thanks guys. I am tuning now. It seems with the placement in the sump and ambiant water pressure abounding, I can put the gate valve almost open and retain a constant level right below the first riser. So far so good. We will see if it remains there and what kind of skimmate I get. I am excited, this is the skimmer I wanted and it just sorta fell in my lap. Can't beat $80 for it...included a submurged 2100gph pump...least that is what the maker says...who knows what it really pumps. Seems to keep the thing filled with great flow though and silent.

I am supposing you run your exhaust fully open. How much water normally resides in the Beckett chamber? Should I shoot for as little as possible or not worry about it? That is really the last item I have questions for on my list. Currently, it is a little under 1/2 way filled.

-K

[tdwyatt]

Originally Posted by superwizbang

I am supposing you run your exhaust fully open. How much water normally resides in the Beckett chamber? Should I shoot for as little as possible or not worry about it? That is really the last item I have questions for on my list. Currently, it is a little under 1/2 way filled.

-K

xo long as the beckett's air holes have air going through them, the becketT water level is fine.

$80 for the skimmer, that is NICE!