Skimmer testing for FREE!

[fkshiu]

Originally Posted by Jason McK

Did you want to check out my BK?

J

Sure, but I'd like to check out your tank again even more

[fkshiu]

Originally Posted by Chin_Lee

I just ordered a Dwyer RMC-53D and getting a Watt-meter too - can hardly wait to test the results.

Oooh, that RMC is one of the big suckers, much bigger than my wee little RMA.

[Jason McK]

What is a Dwyer RMC-53D

Any time Franklin

[StirCrazy]

what exactly are you testing and what are you using as a basis for comparason?

Steve

Originally Posted by fkshiu

Ever wonder how your skimmer is actually performing? Ever wanted a more objective measure other than "Gee, a lot of brown crud is coming out?". Well wonder no more as your friendly neighbourhood GVRD skimmer testing team (a.k.a. Vic, Anthony et moi) is now on the loose!

We'll be heading out to visit some LFS in Abbotsford on Saturday and bringing my
Dwyer RMA-22 airflow meter and Kill-a-Watt with us. Just let me know if you want us to put your skimmer through its paces!

[Chin_Lee]

Originally Posted by Jason McK

What is a Dwyer RMC-53D

its basically a air flowmeter. This Dwyer models comes in different sizes:
RMA - 2"
RMB - 5"
RMC - 10"

I just double checked and i made a mistake. mines actually the rmc-102


this model rmc-102 measures between 10-100 scfh (5-50 liter per minute)

[fkshiu]

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

what exactly are you testing and what are you using as a basis for comparason?

Steve

Air draw (or "suckage" as I like to say) of the pump versus electrical draw of the pump. It is a good objective measure of the efficiency of the skimmer pump since skimmers are basically air/water mixers. It also puts the manufacturer's advertised numbers to the test and you can compare the numbers to what others have measured with the same or comparable skimmers.

The interesting thing in particular about needlewheel skimmer pumps is that they are being used for a purpose that they were never designed for. Needlewheel pumps are all initially designed to pump water and only water. When you add air into the mix a lot of things can change. Firstly, the amount of energy the pump uses goes down since air is easier to move than water. Secondly, things such as needwheel design, volute design etc. can affect how much air is drawn and how much energy is used. As a result, the Sedra on TomR's ASM G5 is probably pulling a different amount of air at a different wattage than the same model of Sedra on a Euroreef, for example.

[fkshiu]

Originally Posted by Chin_Lee

its basically a air flowmeter. This Dwyer models comes in different sizes:
RMA - 2"
RMB - 5"
RMC - 10"

I just double checked and i made a mistake. mines actually the rmc-102


this model rmc-102 measures between 10-100 scfh (5-50 liter per minute)

For Chin it's all gone phallic :P

He needs the monster flowmeter because of the monster numbers he's going to get from his monster skimmer pump. My RMA-22 tops out at 25 LPM (half of the RMC-102):



Jason, the Red Dragon on your BK may max out my RMA-22 since I expect it to draw around 30 LPM, so Chin's RMC-102 may be to right tool to measure it with.

[Tom R]

Originally Posted by fkshiu

No problemo. Let's try to arrange a time. I can be out in Surry sometime next week.

I am generally available, just give me a call the day before.

Tom R

[superduperwesman]

Originally Posted by fkshiu

Ever wonder how your skimmer is actually performing? Ever wanted a more objective measure other than "Gee, a lot of brown crud is coming out?". Well wonder no more as your friendly neighbourhood GVRD skimmer testing team (a.k.a. Vic, Anthony et moi) is now on the loose!

We'll be heading out to visit some LFS in Abbotsford on Saturday and bringing my
Dwyer RMA-22 airflow meter and Kill-a-Watt with us. Just let me know if you want us to put your skimmer through its paces!

Cool... I don't have a skimmer