Skimz SM202 Trial/Review\Closing Comments

[fencer]

You win Lenny...first to notice the stickers..a chocolate easter egg

[StirCrazy]

Originally Posted by cale262

Just take the comparason and multiply it by 0.5

to bad it doesn't work that way or it would be easy...

[nlreefguy]

Originally Posted by fencer

You win Lenny...first to notice the stickers..a chocolate easter egg

Dude, those are fridge magnets! I know because I have an identical set on my fridge.... gotta love kids (it was kids who put those on your fridge right? )

[fencer]

As of Apr 2 the skimmer is operational

Notes:
1. If you purchase the external version, the is no height adjustment for the output pipe height. Either raise the skimmer so the pipe flows into the sump or drill a hole in the sump to fit the pipe
2. I would recommend a small second pump for the input, this one is manifolded to the main sump pump. In my system gravity feed does not have consistent flow a small pump corrects this. There is also no risk of your needle wheel pump running partially dry
3. Dailing in the output via the plunger valve is easy allowing for fine adjustments...gate valves do the same job
4. Noise ...quieter than the vertex 250...actually very quiet
5. Pump generates turbulent flow in the reactor for proper bubble entrainment. Vertex is about the same amount but the Skimz does this in a shorter length reaction chamber
6. I don't expect immediate results
a. there is a period or break in for the skiimmer
b. The system already maintains a high level of purity in part due to its ULNS status( this system was running an ASM G3)
c. I perfer a dry skim mate

[ALang]

Originally Posted by fencer

You win Lenny...first to notice the stickers..a chocolate easter egg

Don't like choc Easter egg, but how about a mango bubble tea??

[fencer]

I did a surge test today on the skimmer. Most skimmers have surges in the flow which upsets level and your cup floods. This can happen after a power outage or any reason that might cause your sump to overflow. When your mains start the water surges into the skimmer. Because my skimmer input is manifolded to the main feed pump, it surged and flooded the cup. If you have a separate pump postioned correctly or gravity feed this surge effect can be avoided.

[fencer]

Update Apr 5
It took about a day to for the skimmer to break in. The skimmer is now foaming into the cup. Because I have a UNLS tank, I am surprised I am producing any dry skim mate. It is producing about 100 ml a day. Nothing has changed in the tank since taking the ASM G3 offline. While I have no way of measuring air flow, the air coming out of the top of the skimmer is about the same as the vertex. And way more than the ASM. This is remarkable since the vertex pump is 55 watts and the Skimz is 20 watts.

[ALang]

So how much was your ASM producing prior to you taking it off-line??
If you are surprised by the amount of skim mate the Skimz has produced, then the ASM didn't hardly skim for you??

[fencer]

The ASM was producing way less than 100ml. I would say I would get that much dry skimmate every week in the ASM. I would say the difference in skimming efficiency is due to the fact that the Skimz design is better( pump and diffusion plate ). The ASM has a 50 watt pump and has less airflow

[fencer]

Apr 11
The skimmer is working flawlessly. This is one of the quietest skimmers I have used. The water is very clear. The most skimmate production is happening when the lights are off. One thing I would recommend for this skimmer is an additional collection vessel attached to the drain plug of the skimmer cup. Pulling the cap off to drain the cup and not spill any liquid is nearly impossible.