So some of you may have seen my Q&A posted a couple times about how to tune this damn thing in.
I got PMs from folks who had everything form "ditch it and run", to "set it and forget it".
Well, I have been frustrated to no end by thing thing. But I have been reluctant to replace it because 1.) I got a killer deal on it because it was used. By killer I mean it might as well have been free. and 2.) by all accounts it is a pretty decent design and altogether a good skimmer.
Anyway, I finally found success two nights ago.
I have this little 10" Rubbermaid step stool that my daughter used to use to step up to the sink to brush her teeth. Now that she's older, it's just been in the closet and used for things like getting into the tall cabinets, or standing on to clean blinds, etc.
Well, I got to thinking 'Wow, that might fit into my sump, and could be used to set my skimmer on, completely raising it out of the water. I mean, I use Rubbermaids to cure rock, store water, and acclimate fish, so it's got to be Marine safe...
Anyway, I cleaned it thoroughly with warm water, and let it sit overnight to let any contaminants air off.
Moving on, during a fit of maintenance the other night, I stuck it in the sump, set my skimmer on top and I still have about 1" of clearance to remove my collection cup. I reset the gate valve, adjusting the bubble column because without the back pressure of water on the drain, it was much too low; and left for work yesterday morning thinking I would just wait and see.
WOO HOO. I came home to find the clearest sparkling clean tank I have ever seen. It literally looked like someone had snuck in and added another 100W of light to my tank. I looked under the stand and low and behold, the collection cup was half full. It looked like a Copenhagen spit cup.
After a dozen emails to and from AETech, several posts, trial and error and frustration, I finally have it licked (i think.)
I will keep ya posted on my relative success level but I wanted to share my excitement over finally getting some good skimming going.
Now to just get rid of the Rio 3100 (of death) so I don't end up with the Exxon Valdez in my tank and we'll be good.
Anyone recommend a 600GPH pressure-rated pump for this purpose?
Brad
I got PMs from folks who had everything form "ditch it and run", to "set it and forget it".
Well, I have been frustrated to no end by thing thing. But I have been reluctant to replace it because 1.) I got a killer deal on it because it was used. By killer I mean it might as well have been free. and 2.) by all accounts it is a pretty decent design and altogether a good skimmer.
Anyway, I finally found success two nights ago.
I have this little 10" Rubbermaid step stool that my daughter used to use to step up to the sink to brush her teeth. Now that she's older, it's just been in the closet and used for things like getting into the tall cabinets, or standing on to clean blinds, etc.
Well, I got to thinking 'Wow, that might fit into my sump, and could be used to set my skimmer on, completely raising it out of the water. I mean, I use Rubbermaids to cure rock, store water, and acclimate fish, so it's got to be Marine safe...
Anyway, I cleaned it thoroughly with warm water, and let it sit overnight to let any contaminants air off.
Moving on, during a fit of maintenance the other night, I stuck it in the sump, set my skimmer on top and I still have about 1" of clearance to remove my collection cup. I reset the gate valve, adjusting the bubble column because without the back pressure of water on the drain, it was much too low; and left for work yesterday morning thinking I would just wait and see.
WOO HOO. I came home to find the clearest sparkling clean tank I have ever seen. It literally looked like someone had snuck in and added another 100W of light to my tank. I looked under the stand and low and behold, the collection cup was half full. It looked like a Copenhagen spit cup.
After a dozen emails to and from AETech, several posts, trial and error and frustration, I finally have it licked (i think.)
I will keep ya posted on my relative success level but I wanted to share my excitement over finally getting some good skimming going.
Now to just get rid of the Rio 3100 (of death) so I don't end up with the Exxon Valdez in my tank and we'll be good.
Anyone recommend a 600GPH pressure-rated pump for this purpose?
Brad
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