Skimmer Question?

[NanaReefer]

How can you tell if your skimmer is getting to much air? Does more air create larger bubbles?

 

[twilliard]

too much air would create pump cavitation depending on skimmer design.
I need to know the skimmer design as the answers will vary depending on style.

 

[NanaReefer]

CoralVue IceCap K2-120 75-120g rated.

Pump Information
Sicce SK-200 Pinwheel Pump
Power Consumption: 40watts
Air Draw: 400 lph / 14 SCFH*
Water Draw: 105gph
*Air and water results will vary depending on aquarium setup

 

[jsker]

Like It was suggested, take the collection cup off and adjust the speed and air so that the bubbles stay just at the top of the neck were the skimmer cup meets.

 

[NanaReefer]

I can do that by adjusting the gate alone. What I'm wanting to know, does more air create larger bubbles. ATM I've got the hole wide open. What does restricting the air flow do?
The bubbles once they reach the proper hight are quit large and pop.

 

[twilliard]

At 105Gph assuming it is needle wheel and not mesh wheel the bubbles may be of a larger size. If you dial the air back a little you should notice the bubbles become fine as less air is being drawn. Looks to be a large venturi for 105gph.

 

[skim]

What does restricting the air flow do?

Well as you decrease air water flow will increase.

The bubbles once they reach the proper hight are quit large and pop.

As the Bubbles rise in the chamber and get to neck they will become large as they carry the waste up the neck and they pop and creat smaller bubbles again and flow into the cup. The main purpose for a an air flow adjustment ( I wish the manufactures would state this ) is if in the chamber you have too much turbulence you can smooth it out by reducing the airflow, hence what the bubble plate is intended for. In most cases I believe it is just a gimmick to help sales, but if you wish to try it this is what you want to do. Slowly decrease the air intake tell you see the mix in the chamber start to smooth out , you want like a whirl not like a raging river, but you still want that milky white look. If you drop the air too low it affect the air to water mix and the skimmer will become inefficient. Air adjusting if done properly can make the skimmer run at its peak performance, but can take awhile to get it right and drive you crazy.
Hope this is of some help.