downhill_biker Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 I just found out that having my air line completely open is not the best way to get the max air. The skimmer that I have been using lately (Top Fathom 300A w/Mesh Modded Sedra 9000) has white (not clear) body and I couldn't see the bubbles. When messing with my new skimmer (Aqua Euro USA 265 Dual Recirc) , I found out that if the air line is wide open the pump pulses and you get mediocre flow and mediocre bubbles, very inconsistent. I put my finger over the hose and the pump worked better, and if I cracked a little air into it, the bubbles were way better. I put a small valve on it, and it is working better than ever. Don't know if this is old news and I just didn't know, but for those that don't know, give it a shot. Are there any other skimmer tricks that I should know for getting max production out of my pump? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 One thing is for sure, Venturi design is a black art. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted February 6, 2009 Author Share Posted February 6, 2009 Not sure what you mean by that. If you are referring to the Top Fathom, the venturi's are removed and it is only run by the needlewheel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 No venturi? The airline feeds directly into the volute? What I meant its that the venturi often makes or breaks a skimmer pump, particularly a DIY or mod. There are some cool designs out there but they're fiddly damned things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewie Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 psssst. Andy, Restrict the intake of the pump little by little until the pulse goes away. Use a Kill-a-Watt to make sure you're not restricting too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted February 6, 2009 Author Share Posted February 6, 2009 gocha, i am using the stock venturi on the pump that came with it. it is made my sedra, along with the pump, now, are you saying i could potentially make this better and allow for more air flow without the pulsing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewie Posted February 6, 2009 Share Posted February 6, 2009 Yes. It will also depend on how much head pressure is on the output of the pump. What skimmer are you running? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted February 7, 2009 Author Share Posted February 7, 2009 it is a top fathom tf300a, it is 36" tall, 6" diameter, and usually powered by venturi and mag pump, but i modded to use needlewheel and no venturi's. there is a fair amount of head pressure, but i might try modding the pump venturi anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CA2OR Posted February 7, 2009 Share Posted February 7, 2009 nice informative thread Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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