Need help with new external skimmer.

B

bdare

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I'm hoping someone can help me. My new external skimmer arrived today. Does the exit drain pipe have to be higher than the height of the sump? I'm worried if I have to run pipe vertical after the exit it would affect the water level in the skimmer itself.

Thanks,
Ben
 
It all depends on the skimmer style. Without any feed at all, the water level will be the same in the outflow pipe as the skimmer body. I would tend to think you can run the outlet a little higher than to return it, but you may need to elevate the skimmer a little to get it high enough to run correctly.
 
Thanks A LOT for the reply. Here is the skimmer I got:

EXT-PS-120.jpg
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I would need to raise the exit by about 4". I'll be feeding the skimmer a lil more that 100gph.

Ben
 
why dont you just raise the whole skimmer 4 inches? if it is fed by feeder pump i dont think sump level makes a difference

if you do want to raise the riser tube 4 inches i would just convert the whole thing to a gate valve if it was my skimmer
 
It will be fed by a feeder pump. My understanding of fluid dynamics aren't that great, but I assumed if I raised the hieght the water would go in the eixt tube that the water inside the skimmer would also go up.

Ideally I'd like to raise the whole skimmer. I'm just not sure what to use underneat for support.

Can you explain the gate vavle scenario? I don't understand.

Thanks,
Ben
 
I've got the EXT-PS-200 which I haven't set up yet (bought used and got broke in shipping). My advice would be to just make a stand to raise the skimmer up 4". 2x4 on edge with a piece of 1/2" plywood on top and there is your 4". The gate valve just enables you to fine tune the outflow for the optimal water height in the skimmer. Won't really make a difference on your outlet height though.
 
i have the recirc octopus skimmer that has a gate valve....on yours i dont see a way you adjust if you want wet or dry skimmate .... how do you adjust the water level inside your skimmer

only thing i see is where the exit off the T would be the water height in the skimmer would be my guess. if that is the case i would use a gave valve
 
@bdare wrote:
I don't know... the directions SUCK! said:
And if it looks anything like mine, it doesn't look like the picture. The picture of mine looks just like that with a larger body, but the skimmer was redesigned and looks completely different. The "T" is on top of an adjustable riser pipe on mine. I will gate valve mine since it makes it so much easier to adjust.
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Anyone want to come to Rockwall and help me set this puppy up? I have beer... and lots of it!
 
You use input and air adjustment to fine tune wet/dry skimmate. There is a recommended GPH for your skimmer so either find out the amount it requires or place a valve at the input. Set the water level at the junction where the diameter decreases then fine tune the air to adjust from there. You then fine tune between water level and air to get bubble/skimmate consistency.


Cheers,
 
@kuyatwo wrote:
i have the recirc octopus skimmer that has a gate valve....on yours i dont see a way you adjust if you want wet or dry skimmate .... how do you adjust the water level inside your skimmer only thing i see is where the exit off the T would be the water height in the skimmer would be my guess. if that is the case i would use a gave valve said:
I have the Octopus DNW-PS200 recirculating skimmer. I haven't set it up yet but didn't see a gate valve that was part of the skimmer. Did I miss something? As mentioned above, the "instructions" consist of a parts diagram - worthless.

LL
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I've discoverd the tuning is performed using the pipe above the T on the exit pipe. The pipe which is inserted is cut at a 45 degree angle which can be rotated to allow more or less water to exit the skimmer much like a gate valve.

I also sent an email to the contacts listed on the Octopus website. The verified the skimmer MUST be raised to prevent an overflow.
 
@bdare wrote:
I've discoverd the tuning is performed using the pipe above the T on the exit pipe. The pipe which is inserted is cut at a 45 degree angle which can be rotated to allow more or less water to exit the skimmer much like a gate valve. said:
Brilliant........... :lol:
Click to expand...
 
I've been exchanging emails with the people at Octopus. Here's a picture they sent me. This helps explain how to put it together. Note the "tuning" tube.

EXT-PS-150.jpg
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Well,

After finally collecting all the correct information tonight I built a stand out of 2x4's and plywood and got that puppy installed. Thanks everyone for your help!

Ben
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