Reeflow Orca skimmer question

[sarmo]

i picked up a used reeflow orca skimmer for my system. it was a bit difficult to "tune in" originally but once it got it going it seems like a great skimmer. i have both an AquaC240 driven by a Mag 18, and the Reeflow filled from an overflow, skimming my 700+ gallon system.
the question i have is related to the fact that every time i clean the reeflow it will start skimming so wet that it will drain my 100 gallon ATO tank. obviously a problem. when i clean it all i do is turn off the recirc pump and remove and clean the collection cup. i don't make any adjustments.
now i know you're thinking this guy is stupid to just let it overflow after he turns it back on but here is another problem. neither skimmer makes any skimmate during the day, only at night. that means that i can't adjust it after a cleaning cause if i do it'll just overflow that night. that's why i started with it was a bit difficult to get adjusted at first.

any suggestions? i need to get this figured out as i am leaving for work and my wife will have to watch the tank for 3 weeks...

thanks,
rob

 

[kevinpo]

Hi Rob,
With your nice tank I could just come over and keep an eye on it .

Is it possible to leave it running by reducing the air when you clean the collection cup?

Regards,
Kevin

 

[kevinpo]

Hey Rob,
It belonged to Jean-Paul (RedEyeReef) you could PM him and see what he did.

Cheers,
Kevin

 

[sarmo]

thanks Kevin, i might have to take you up on that ... have you ever been to St Lucia? i guess they have a reef and some good diving? i'm going to volunteer in their hospital. should be fun to work in a different part of the world....

i can try to plug off the air and leave it running when i clean it. that might work, thanks. why do both skimmers work only at night?

 

[sarmo]

i PM'ed Jean-Paul.
Julie said she'd cook for ya..... also she wondered if you knew how to do cow chores????

 

[kevinpo]

why do both skimmers work only at night?

It is quite common for skimmers to perform differently at night. Changes in chemistry and PH affect the bubble tension.

The type of cow chores I know is eating them :badgrin:

I have only been to St. John and St. Thomas in that part of the Caribbean. Have a great trip! I notice you're leaving town just when the single digit temps are going to hit.

Regards,
Kevin

 

[CarlaW]

The type of cow chores I know is eating them :badgrin:

I hear that.:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

Can you explain what actually happens that makes the skimmers do that? And should we bother adjusting them to take care of that?? Remember, I have the same skimmer you do, so would it be the same or different for Rob's case???

 

[kevinpo]

The surface tension on the bubbles change with changes in water chemistry. The list is long on things that affect surface tension.
Here are a few:

Putting your hands in the tank.
Any additives (kalkwasser, calcium, magnesium, etc.).
Changes in PH from photo period cycles.
Fluctuations of oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the room and the tank.
Changes in salinity.
Changes in temperature.
Cooking, cleaning, smoking, etc.

Regards,
Kevin

 

[sarmo]

hey Kevin, FYI it was a siphon problem. i cut a deep "V" in the effluent pipe so that the point of the V is about an inch above the water line and now the problem is gone.
Thanks JP for your help

 

[CarlaW]

I really bet Julie is happy about that!!!!