Need to lower water level in sump.

[Cliff Puckstable]

My skimmer overflows immediately in the sump. What is the best way to lower the water level? Hole saw and just go ham? I already tried raising the skimmer as high as it will go and turned the leveled down as low as it will go. Will running it without the collection cup settle things a bit?

[Tracy G]

How long has the skimmer been running and what is the suggested water level?

 

 

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[Cliff Puckstable]

Manufacture suggests 9.5-11". The skimmer is used. Don't know how old it is though. It's a bubble magus bm220.

[Tracy G]

How high is the water level now?

 

 

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[flooddc]

I am not familiar with BM. Is there a gate valve on the skimmer? Most skimmers, you can adjust the gate valve to adjust water level of the skimmer.

[flooddc]

Looking at some of some BM designs, looks like you can adjust the level by turning the tube where the water exit the skimmer. Snap some pics when you get a chance.

[Cliff Puckstable]

The sumps water level is currently 12.5" high. The sump/baffles are acrylic. I also have the skimmer elevated on eggcrate as high as it will go. The top is touching the top of the stand. My stand is pretty short. I will run the pump w/o the cup to see if if changes anything. Otherwise I may have to drill some holes in the baffle to lower the water level.

[gmerek2]

Why dont you just lower your ATO valve and pump off the extra water? Mine lets me lower it as far as I want to control sump levels.

[lnevo]

If he has a baffle before the return chamber the rest of the sump will maintain a constant level. Only the return chamber would fluctuate due to evaporation.

[Cliff Puckstable]

I have baffles before the return as mentioned above. I'm thinking of just drilling some big holes to lower it. Most skimmers on the market seem to require the same height, so getting new skimmer is not even an option for me.

[Shoelace]

Is it masking an appropriate amount of bubbles? If it's used, maybe gunk is clogging the Venturi and that would increase flow.

[Cliff Puckstable]

It makes a lot bubbles. Enough to tickle your hand to the touch. I had it run over night wo the cup. I'll try adjusting it some more later tonight. It was exhausting moving everything over to the new tank. Never again...

[steveoutlaw]

If it was me, I would just make a guide and use a dremmel to cut the baffles down.  You may still have an few inches on each side that are still 12.5", but most of the baffle will be at the new height and lower the water level.  Simply drilling holes in the baffles may get you a lower water level, but won't function as well as merely drilling holes in them.

[Neto]

Did you raised the skimmer using a platform like an egg crate platform?

[Cliff Puckstable]

Yes, it's as high as physically possible.

[Cliff Puckstable]

I can control level better when I kink the airline. Is this a bad way to adjust it?

[John Ford]

Can you put a airline valve on that tubing to fine tune it?

(I don't know anything about that skimmer just throwing it out there)

[Cliff Puckstable]

That's what I was hoping for, but I think this decreases the skimmers performance. I'm not certain either, though..

[John Ford]

Looks like your getting a ton of micro bubbles in your skimmer. It's twice as milky looking than my skimmer.

Makes me want to ditch my ev180 that much more :/

[flooddc]

 

What are those numbers where I circled for? Have you try turning it? I think they are for tuning the skimmer. 

 

I don't know how to make it bigger!

Edited December 16, 2013 by flooddc

[monkiboy]

jaime - have you done as chuck mentioned in regards to the numbers...have you turned the adjustment tube to 0/wide open?

[Cliff Puckstable]

Yes, I have tried turning the adjustment both ways to see if theres any change. Even on the OFF position it goes ham. I have it raised so that it is sitting in 10.5" of water. I am going to have to remove the skimmer and run it in a bucket with various levels. Sigh...

[FishyPapa]

I had this when I first got my ReefO skimmer and it took a couple weeks to "break-in." Was it all cleaned up when you got it? Maybe it just needs to break-in again on your system?

[Cliff Puckstable]

Yes, it was all cleaned up. It looked brand new.

[monkiboy]

yeah, i'm with chris on this one. if you're within the suggested height range and it's going bonkers then just take the cup off and let it break in for a couple weeks and it'll likely be fine at the wide open throttle position if not, barely level 1 for a wetter skim.