Another skimmer question

Coralgurl · #1 03-11-2012, 01:07 AM

I've got a reef octopus 5000 skimmer. It's been in my tank for a week or so but not at the proper water level, so today I built an egg crate stand for it. The skimmer is now sitting in the recommended 6" of water, but the water Draining out of the gate valve is obnoxious and I've got a ton of microbubbles. I've searched for info but can't find anything. Should I just drop the skimmer back as I had it or is the gate valve supposed to be out of the water and if so, how do I deal with this?

christyf5 · #2 03-11-2012, 01:13 AM

Can you put an extension on the gate valve pipe? My skimmer has one that just dips below the water level, there are still a few bubbles but not nearly as bad as freefalling into the sump.

Coralgurl · #3 03-11-2012, 01:25 AM

I'm going to have to, rereading instructions, very bottom of page says not to submerge gate valve, but they don't send any extra plumbing to deal with the water. Off to Rona!

christyf5 · #4 03-11-2012, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coralgurl

I'm going to have to, rereading instructions, very bottom of page says not to submerge gate valve, but they don't send any extra plumbing to deal with the water. Off to Rona!

The gate valve should be out of the water, I think it has some metal parts (most notably the screw that holds the valve knob on, not sure about the insides). Yeah, likely you'll have to retro fit it. I think mine was purchased from the manufacturer of the skimmer but really, anyone could have put it together, its pretty simple.

Coralgurl · #5 03-11-2012, 03:12 AM

I'm just not sure if it's the entire gate valve component or just the handle that needs to stay out ouf water. I had it running so the water outlet was submerged but not the handle. I ran to Rona thinking they closed at 8, but they closed at 6. Will only need 2 parts and it should be good, will go tomorrow. Will keep searching and see if the outlet can be submerged as it was working fine.

christyf5 · #6 03-11-2012, 03:16 AM

you should have no problem submerging the outlet as long as the top of the gate valve can draw air.

I used to run my old skimmer with the gate valve partially submerged, I never had a problem but the screw on the valve knob did rust pretty badly, not sure how long it would take to do it in completely as I ran my skimmer for about 4 years before upgrading my tank and skimmer. I think gate valves are about $20 to replace.