Sep 25, 2014
Tyler Townsend
wrote
Hey Coralvue!
I'm super excited to have finally got my Regal 300 INT! It was a long wait but upon unpacking, boy was it worth it! I love the new pump and compared to the Diablo controller the new RODC runs a steady 8 deg F cooler!
Anyways, I've broken it in by running for numerous days with the skimmer water level as high as possible without overflowing. I felt this was best way to scrub the entire volute and neck walls.
Since then I've brought the water level down to just around the bottom of the widest part of the cup in hopes to start with a really wet skim. I haven't really had much of any skim (around 4 days now) so I brought the water level down a bit further last night. Its been running for 10 days now and I know I'm doing something wrong.
Few questions about this skimmer and its install:
1.) Most of the RO skimmer manuals and recommendations state that the outlet should be above the water level in the sump. This is not possible with the Regal 300 INT while maintaining the recommended water level of 7.9" - 8.9". I suppose I could slip the gate valve higher up its mounting pipe but I don't think this will be very stable. I could turn the 45 degree adapter pipe up too, I hadnt thought of that. Anyways, should I worry about the outlet pipe height in relation to the water level?
2.) My skimmer is currently in 8.25" of water but can easily adjust this. What is the absolute best water height? I think the pump wont have to work so hard if I move it closer to the 10" mark perhaps adding to air draw?
3.) The most important question I have is where do I set the water level inside the skimmer? From previous questions answered (SRO models) it seems I had it set too high but they had indicator marks showing max and min water levels on the skimmer body and neck.
As always, Thanks!
I'm super excited to have finally got my Regal 300 INT! It was a long wait but upon unpacking, boy was it worth it! I love the new pump and compared to the Diablo controller the new RODC runs a steady 8 deg F cooler!
Anyways, I've broken it in by running for numerous days with the skimmer water level as high as possible without overflowing. I felt this was best way to scrub the entire volute and neck walls.
Since then I've brought the water level down to just around the bottom of the widest part of the cup in hopes to start with a really wet skim. I haven't really had much of any skim (around 4 days now) so I brought the water level down a bit further last night. Its been running for 10 days now and I know I'm doing something wrong.
Few questions about this skimmer and its install:
1.) Most of the RO skimmer manuals and recommendations state that the outlet should be above the water level in the sump. This is not possible with the Regal 300 INT while maintaining the recommended water level of 7.9" - 8.9". I suppose I could slip the gate valve higher up its mounting pipe but I don't think this will be very stable. I could turn the 45 degree adapter pipe up too, I hadnt thought of that. Anyways, should I worry about the outlet pipe height in relation to the water level?
2.) My skimmer is currently in 8.25" of water but can easily adjust this. What is the absolute best water height? I think the pump wont have to work so hard if I move it closer to the 10" mark perhaps adding to air draw?
3.) The most important question I have is where do I set the water level inside the skimmer? From previous questions answered (SRO models) it seems I had it set too high but they had indicator marks showing max and min water levels on the skimmer body and neck.
As always, Thanks!
Reply
8 Answers
Sep 25, 2014
Jeremy Rykiel
agent
wrote
Sorry for the confusion. The output can and will be submerged on this model. This is fine as long as the water level stays consistent at all times. I would say that you are right on the money as far a water height within the sump. I usually suggest between 7.5-8.5" for this model. The deeper the water that the skimmer pump sits in usually means that it will actually suck less air. How long have you had the skimmer running for? After the break in period (3-4 weeks) you want to open or close the output valve so that you retain pea size or larger bubbles where the collection cup attaches to the skimmer body. It will take a few days to acclimate to this setting. Then you make small adjustments once a day till you collect your desired skimmate concentration.
Sep 25, 2014
Tyler Townsend
wrote
Thanks for the reply Jeremy.
It is still early in the life of her as its been up and running for 10 days. To have pea sized bubbles at the base of the collection cup would mean that I have had the water level WAAAY too high. Ill give her a go and send you some updates as this baby starts pulling goop.
It is still early in the life of her as its been up and running for 10 days. To have pea sized bubbles at the base of the collection cup would mean that I have had the water level WAAAY too high. Ill give her a go and send you some updates as this baby starts pulling goop.
Sep 25, 2014
Jeremy Rykiel
agent
wrote
Definitely knock the water level down more. The lower the level the more air and water that is processed through the skimmer. Also it will take 3-4 weeks before the skimmer performs more consistently.
Oct 24, 2014
Tyler Townsend
wrote
Hey Jeremy,
So been a couple weeks since we last spoke. Cant say that my skimmate is all that impressive but I will not discredit the skimmer until I have a more significant bio load.
For some reason though I'm not able to get even a consistent wet skim...
Question about the bubble (diffuser) plate positioning. On one side of the plate has little bevels on the holes while the other side is flush. Which side is supposed to be facing up? I may have got it reversed when took the thing apart to clean it when it was brand new. Ive reversed the plates a few times since then but the difference is unnoticeable...
As usual, appreciate your help!
So been a couple weeks since we last spoke. Cant say that my skimmate is all that impressive but I will not discredit the skimmer until I have a more significant bio load.
For some reason though I'm not able to get even a consistent wet skim...
Question about the bubble (diffuser) plate positioning. On one side of the plate has little bevels on the holes while the other side is flush. Which side is supposed to be facing up? I may have got it reversed when took the thing apart to clean it when it was brand new. Ive reversed the plates a few times since then but the difference is unnoticeable...
As usual, appreciate your help!
Oct 27, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
The beveled end needs to be facing down.
Nov 06, 2014
Tyler Townsend
wrote
So to my dismay Im still unable to get any skim. Ive had it set up since August; set it up as mentioned above and tried numerous other things to get something to form in the bottom of my cup.
I have noticed today through some research that the regal model shown on the coralvue website has holes in the lid like the diablo models.
My regal has no holes in the lid. It would make sense that this could have a huge effect on skimmer performance. What do you think?
I have noticed today through some research that the regal model shown on the coralvue website has holes in the lid like the diablo models.
My regal has no holes in the lid. It would make sense that this could have a huge effect on skimmer performance. What do you think?
Nov 06, 2014
Tyler Townsend
wrote
I lied. Was going from memory but just ran home at lunch to check. Ive got holes in the lid.
I was really hoping to find some kind of issue. My tank is browning out, my macros are growing out of control, and I can get 1/8 of an inch of wet skim in the cup per week. With my old ASM skimmer I was getting over a liter of decent skimmate per week.
Its getting to the point where I need a skimmer or some meaningful advice on how its supposed to operate. I'm very familiar with the diablo 250 int and my regal doesnt even come close to it.
What do I do coralvue? Take it back to my vendor and see what he says?
I was really hoping to find some kind of issue. My tank is browning out, my macros are growing out of control, and I can get 1/8 of an inch of wet skim in the cup per week. With my old ASM skimmer I was getting over a liter of decent skimmate per week.
Its getting to the point where I need a skimmer or some meaningful advice on how its supposed to operate. I'm very familiar with the diablo 250 int and my regal doesnt even come close to it.
What do I do coralvue? Take it back to my vendor and see what he says?
Nov 11, 2014
Jeremy Rykiel
agent
wrote
What size aquarium do you have this 300int skimmer on? What is your waters salinity?