Aqua C Remora skimmer box-work for anyone?

[Anonymous]

I recently got the surface skimmer box for my Aqua C Remora hang on skimmer.

The instructions specifically say "Installation is easy."

"Oh goodie" I thought, "something that will work without major tinkering".

I can not not not not, for the life of me, adjust this thing so is actually skims the surface water. I have been having a big problem with surface scum, the tank is undrilled, a simple softy, anemone and fish tank.

Either I have it up high enough that it is actually skimming the slick from the top of my tank, but the pump catches up and runs it dry in a few minutes. (I do not have a sump and am not going to add one) OR, if I have it low enough to not run the box dry, it doesn't skim the surface, the water line inside and out stay level and the water just kinda scoots on in slowly, leaving my surface scum to sit there.

I am about to give up trying to adjust this thing and just remove it.

 

[Anonymous]

I used to use one of these with a remora pro on the tank when I was still out in Los Angeles. Basically, it's not going to consistantly surface skim. What I did with mine was find the point where it would really surface skim, then deliberately set it maybe an eigth of an inch lower. Over the next day or two as the tank would gradually lose water to evaporation the water level would gradually drop to a point where it would surface skim for a long time. Then I'd top off the tank and the process would repeat.

BUT... even when the water level in mine dropped enough that water wouldn't enter the box through the overflow, my pump never ran dry. There was a second hole in the side of the box (besides the one the mounting screw went in) that let in enough water for the skimmer to continue to run wet even when nothing was coming in from the top.

 

[Anonymous]

Mine has two mounting screws and no empty hole, I wonder if I should just take one out and leave a hole there?

It definitely runs dry for me.

 

[saltank]

I would use the hole like Len did. I've used the pre-filter box for the last couple years (didn't have a sump, now I do! )

Yes it is a little tricky to get it to skim without running the pump dry. Once I found the level I would just try to maintain the water level via my drip line for evaporation replacement. I was able to get it to work and keep the surface of the water very clear most of the time.

Another thing you might try which worked for me is instead of constantly fidgeting with the bleeping filter box attachment, get it attached somewhere near where you think it should skim properly and then adjust the height of the skimmer itself (if you have the hang-on model) by wedging something under each side of the skimmer where it "hangs" on the tank until you have raised it just high enough. It just became easier for me at some point to adjust the skimmer height rather than continually unscrewing/reattaching the filter box with hands in the tank.

Hope that helps.

 

[trido]

cjdevito hit the nail on the head. I just buit a DIY surface skimmer for my CPR with a maxi 1200. I built it small and was afraid of it running dry on a hot summer day so I drilled two 1/8" holes about two inches down from the top. It surface skims great and when the water level drops low the flow from the two holes keeps the box from running dry. YOu could always get your "handy man" to drill a couple holes for you if you dont feel compfortable with the idea yourself.

 

[Anonymous]

I took the one of the screws out leaving a hole in it so that water can go in. You only need one screw for attaching the box anyway I found.


Just did a big water change the other day and got the box affixed back in, if it looks like the single hole isn't cutting it for preventing it from running dry I will drill another small hole.

saltank, one reason I was having this trouble is I have no auto top off or drip line, so if I got the box where it would skim, just a minor change in water level due to evap. causes it to run dry. I think having the hole in the side will be the solution. We shall see.