Question for those who are knowledgeable about skimmer design/operation

[skyhawkn5262y]

I am currently using a Reef Octopus SRO-2000INT on my 90 gallon. It's a great skimmer, the AC Bubble Blaster pumps were one of the best and most reliable skimmer pumps ever made, IMO. However, there is one giant caveat with this particular skimmer: it only works well if the water level is 6 - 6.5" deep. Any deeper than that and it is basically non-functional (overflows constantly, doesn't produce foam correctly, etc.)

My current setup has a height restriction that only allows me to raise the skimmer to 8" of water depth and I don't like the performance I'm getting as a result of it. Because of this, I have been looking at purchasing another skimmer that will better work with my sump water level and height restrictions.

Before I pull the trigger on a new skimmer (been looking at the RO Elite 150), I was curious to know if replacing the AC Bubble Blaster pump with a new Reef Octopus Varios skimmer DC pump would solve my problem. My rationale here is that with a DC pump, I will be able to control the air/water flow via the pump speed and might be able to overcome the high water level problem.

What say you, R2R? Will replacing the AC Bubble Blaster pump with a Reef Octopus Varios skimmer pump solve my problem, or would I just be wasting my money? Is there something inherent in the design of the SRO 2000-INT that requires such a shallow water level, or will replacing the AC pump with a controllable DC pump solve my problem?

 

[Blue Ring Octopus]

From what I have heard that the better skimmers need shallow water because they have too powerful of a pump, and some of the cheaper pumps need to be deep. So having a DC pump that should solve the problem as long as your new pump hits it in the sweet spot, ie right in the middle.

 

[skyhawkn5262y]

From what I have heard that the better skimmers need shallow water because they have too powerful of a pump, and some of the cheaper pumps need to be deep. So having a DC pump that should solve the problem as long as your new pump hits it in the sweet spot, ie right in the middle.

This explanation makes sense. I would just hate to purchase a $260 pump only to have it not work and have to purchase a new skimmer anyway. I'm really close to just getting the new pump, I really think a DC pump would solve the problem.

 

[Blue Ring Octopus]

Maybe you could get lucky and someone that lives near to you could loan you one. I know the club I belong to has everything imaginable.

 

[skyhawkn5262y]

Maybe you could get lucky and someone that lives near to you could loan you one. I know the club I belong to has everything imaginable.

Good idea. There is a local club, but I'm not very involved with it. Perhaps I'll post on the forum to see if anyone has one.

 

[DCR]

I think that the primary reason deep water causes problems on needle wheel skimmers in general is that it puts more pressure in the throat of the venturi, which reduces the air draw and causes the pump to pull more water - which tends to overflow the skimmer. The amount of water it pulls is highly dependent on how much air is being pulled in. That is why they are more finicky than those with a venturi, on the discharge of the pump. Not sure a different pump will help, but I would agree testing it first would be beneficial.

 

[skyhawkn5262y]

I think that the primary reason deep water causes problems on needle wheel skimmers in general is that it puts more pressure in the throat of the venturi, which reduces the air draw and causes the pump to pull more water - which tends to overflow the skimmer. The amount of water it pulls is highly dependent on how much air is being pulled in. That is why they are more finicky than those with a venturi, on the discharge of the pump. Not sure a different pump will help, but I would agree testing it first would be beneficial.

Skimmers are so finicky. A necessary evil, however. Part of me wants to make the move to a recirculating skimmer so I don't have to worry about the water level and also for increased adjustability.