V2 Skim 400 Question

[mike_danger]

Hi,

I have a V2 Skim 400, but my question is do I need the V2Bubble Stop attached to the return. Is this an optional extra or a must?

Thanks, Michael

 

[N1z]

i have the same one, and its an option but i say its better as it cuts down the bubbles loads i found!

 

[robbhp]

thats so odd i have just been looking at the bubble stop on my 600. odd so very odd

 

[mike_danger]

Cool, I will put it on.

Do I need to keep all the foam in there, and how long does it last.

I also cant work how it fist on as it doesnt have a top?

Thanks for the help, Michael

 

[mike_danger]

Hey,

I have just finished setting the skimmer up, a few problems though...

I cant fit the bubble stop on, my return is very short and the pipe just touches the water level, so is it a massive problem that I dont put the bibble stop on?

Also I cant seem to get the top cup off to remove the waste? Is it just really tight, I dont want to break it!

Saying all this however it looks really good. Just a bit loud, any tips on reducing the noise?

Michael

 

[brittlestar]

Can I just ask, if the V2 400 is a good skimmer? We just bought one off ebay yesterday, hope its not a waste of money

 

[N1z]

To remove the waste cup, i had same worry well, but wot u do is turn it off for a start then hold the main tube part then wiggle the cup back and forth once uve done this a few times it becomes a lot easier, just mkae sure u put it back on fully though.
Asfor the sponges well the poly wool justs gets dirty like that tbh bit annoying but the balck coarse foam i just wash it out as it gets brown like crap tbh on the bottum of it. Watch out though i found loads of bristle worms came alive in it no joke!!
its not a big worry, if anything u can just go down to a plumers and get a longer peice of clear piping, cos i might need to do it soon if i upgrade my lights but thats not a worry atm, if not just put the black foam up into the pipe so it catches most of the bubbles yet can just pour in easily.

 

[mike_danger]

Hey,

Been fiddling with at all afternoon and managed to fit the bubble stop in and also get the cup off with some musle!!

The bubble stop fits in fine after thinking it wouldnt, but I only have the fine white stuff in there not the black as it was starting to cause a block and thus filling the cup up with water. Am I right in thinking that the white is the best, or would you advise both in there? Do you wash it out in tap water or old tank water?

Michael

 

[SkiFletch]

Ideally the water elvel in the main "column" of the skimmer is properly adjusted so that bubbles slowly come up and break into the cup. The cup should not fill with mostly water very quickly. I have no experience with your model skimmer so I've got no clue how to get that "balance" which results in really dark brown nasty looking stuff in your cup. Sounds like your outlet is too restricted and your powerhead is just pushing tankwater up there. I JUST cleaned mine so I cant take a pic of what it should look like but its really brown and nasty when properly operating. Smells horrific too, dont sniff

Yeah just rinse it out with tapwater. I wipe mine with my finger under the faucet to get most of the gunk out. But thats just me

 

[mike_danger]

Hi,

I think u misunderstood me...

It is workign fine now, already have a small amount of brown scum. But when I add all the media into the bubble stop thats when I have problems. So I just have the fine white media foam in my bubble stop and that seems to not cause any blockages.

Michael

 

[SkiFletch]

Oh good, guess I did. Foam is what you're after

 

[N1z]

thats good to hear, well if its not enterting to many bubbles then i wouldnt worry yourself. also quick note u know the exit tube valve to make the skimmer work better when water levels fall, i wouldnt wory about that too much as really all i ever got was more water in there so i left it and after a week i get a full dark brown liquid/ scum in the cup!

 

[mike_danger]

Hey,

Just so I understand you correctly, do ou mean the gray dial which alters the water level? I have this on the lowest setting, shall i keep it on the lowest. Also it seems VERY noisey, any tips? There is a hole on the intake tube I have put a venturi screw thing on this to reduce the amount of air going in and this helps.

Michael

 

[N1z]

yer thats wot i was on about, keep it at that. Mines not really but i did put that venturi from the rio pump onto the intake as it runs quieter like u said