Feb 01, 2014
Linda Barton
wrote
I recently set this unit up. It is attached to an Eheim 5000 in sump. I'm having trouble getting the skimmer to operate at it's potential. The instructions were just for set up. No additional info. I have several questions. Is there an operating manual somewhere?
Thanks!
Thanks!
Reply
14 Answers
Feb 03, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
Linda,
Ask away here. That is why we are here...
Let me know how I can help you and get your skimmer set up and running.
Carlos
CoralVue
Ask away here. That is why we are here...
Let me know how I can help you and get your skimmer set up and running.
Carlos
CoralVue
Feb 03, 2014
Linda Barton
wrote
I have it running and it is going through its break in period I believe. But I am not sure at all that I have it set properly. I turned the feeder pump (eheim 500) down to about 3/4 capacity and have the diablo pump on highest setting. The pea sized bubbles are in the neck below the collection cup. Right now it is burping. So it builds up until it gets rid of what it has collected and then it drops and starts the process over again. Does this all sound right so far? I don't know what I should have the return valve set at? I also don't know what to do with the overflow hose. Know there must be a reason it attaches to the grey pipe....should I have it on there or draining to a bucket? I thought there was an auto shut off in case of overflow but I have yet to witness that.
Feb 03, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
Linda,
Yes, what your skimmer is doing right now is normal part of the break in process. It will work for a little while and then drop and then start working again and so forth.
How much water (in inches) is the skimmer in? Measured from the bottom where the skimmer sits to the water surface line outside the skimmer.
Yes, what your skimmer is doing right now is normal part of the break in process. It will work for a little while and then drop and then start working again and so forth.
How much water (in inches) is the skimmer in? Measured from the bottom where the skimmer sits to the water surface line outside the skimmer.
Feb 03, 2014
Linda Barton
wrote
It's external......
Feb 03, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
Sorry, just saw that on the header. Yes, your skimmer is doing what it is supposed to do during break-in period. Just give it some time and it will stabilize.
Feb 03, 2014
Linda Barton
wrote
Ok that's good to know. Can u tell me about the return valve and the overflow hose?
Feb 03, 2014
Linda Barton
wrote
Why is the ticket closed? I still have questions.......
Feb 03, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
The return valve is to dial up the skimmer so it is set to produce the type of foam you are looking for. Most people start with the valve wide open and then gradually close it until they have the desired level of bubbles. With your skimmer being new, dialing it will be a little hard because the skimmer is not stable enough. Once the skimmer breaks in, most people find that "sweet spot" and leave it. They usually don't adjust the skimmer anymore even for cleanings or water changes. You would only need to adjust the skimmer if you have a drastic change in the system such as upgrading to a bigger system or adding more volume to the system or substantially increasing the bioload.
Here is a great article on how to dial a skimmer:
http://www.coralvue.com/support/317511-How-do-you-dial-in-a-protein-skimmer
In regards to the drain hose, it is meant to be used with a collection cup or container where you can have the skimmer drain all collected into this collection cup for easy disposal. Also, it allows you to run the skimmer longer without having to remove the collection cup because it is almost full. Here is a link to our link to our waste collection container. The skimmer drain hose is connected to this so that all excess waste is stored here.
http://www.coralvue.com/waste-collector-with-auto-shutoff
It also servers as an automatic shut off in case your skimmer starts to overflow. It prevents the skimmer from draining your entire tank.
HTH,
Here is a great article on how to dial a skimmer:
http://www.coralvue.com/support/317511-How-do-you-dial-in-a-protein-skimmer
In regards to the drain hose, it is meant to be used with a collection cup or container where you can have the skimmer drain all collected into this collection cup for easy disposal. Also, it allows you to run the skimmer longer without having to remove the collection cup because it is almost full. Here is a link to our link to our waste collection container. The skimmer drain hose is connected to this so that all excess waste is stored here.
http://www.coralvue.com/waste-collector-with-auto-shutoff
It also servers as an automatic shut off in case your skimmer starts to overflow. It prevents the skimmer from draining your entire tank.
HTH,
Feb 03, 2014
Linda Barton
wrote
Awesome! Does it matter where I connect it so that it will indeed shut off?
Feb 03, 2014
Linda Barton
wrote
Oh I'm sorry. I see the collection container contains an auto shut off and that is what you were referring to. Does the diable itself have aso and if so does the overflow tube need to be connected to the grey pipe?
Feb 03, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
Linda,
I am not sure I follow your question. I am sure the autocorrect had something to do with it :)
Could you rephrase please?
I am not sure I follow your question. I am sure the autocorrect had something to do with it :)
Could you rephrase please?
Feb 03, 2014
Linda Barton
wrote
Does the diablo skimmer itself have an auto shut off in case of overflow?
Feb 03, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
Nope.
Feb 03, 2014
Linda Barton
wrote
Huh....I was under the impression it did. Oh well....thanks very much for your help. That's all my questions :)