Dalua skimmer feedback

[1Bigfish]

I decided to go with the Dalua DC skimmer. I'm happy I did.

Overall build quality is solid, but it does lack some polish. The increase/decrease on the control are opposite convention, and the controller does not offer a decent way to mount it. The air hose to venturi connector is weird. in fact, there really isn't one; the hose just sits loosely in a hole in what appears to be a 3D-printed part. Surprisingly, seems to work though. The assembly to adjust the water level is really loose. Doesn't affect operation, but makes it seem flimsy.

That said, it's early, but it seems to skim very well. The attached pic is after a day on a very light bio-load tank.

Also, it is quiet. It's as quiet as any skimmer I've used, maybe the quietest, at least on par with the RO Varios pump skimmers, and MUCH quieter than the RO Essence-130 (which is not quiet at all).

So, for me, the minor polish issues are secondary. Great skimmer.

Just wondering what power level do you have the pump at? And how high the gate is? And what is the sump level?
I

 

[ksed]

which model is it?

I decided to go with the Dalua DC skimmer. I'm happy I did.

Overall build quality is solid, but it does lack some polish. The increase/decrease on the control are opposite convention, and the controller does not offer a decent way to mount it. The air hose to venturi connector is weird. in fact, there really isn't one; the hose just sits loosely in a hole in what appears to be a 3D-printed part. Surprisingly, seems to work though. The assembly to adjust the water level is really loose. Doesn't affect operation, but makes it seem flimsy.

That said, it's early, but it seems to skim very well. The attached pic is after a day on a very light bio-load tank.

Also, it is quiet. It's as quiet as any skimmer I've used, maybe the quietest, at least on par with the RO Varios pump skimmers, and MUCH quieter than the RO Essence-130 (which is not quiet at all).

So, for me, the minor polish issues are secondary. Great skimmer.

 

[Gudhjem]

Just wondering what power level do you have the pump at? And how high the gate is? And what is the sump level?
I

I have the pump at 16, with the skimmer in 7 1/2" of water. Hard to tell how high the gate is, but I think it's about 1/2 way up. I have lots of room to go either way. I put mine on a stand to be in only 7 1/2" because I like to skim dry, and because I wanted the bottom of the collection cup to be higher than the lip of the sump to make draining into a skimmate locker easier. It seemed to work fine in 10" of water as well, on a lower pump setting.

The tank it's on though is new with a very light bioload, so I expect some adjusting will happen.

 

[Gudhjem]

which model is it?

Great White 7, DC version

 

[1Bigfish]

I have the pump at 16, with the skimmer in 7 1/2" of water. Hard to tell how high the gate is, but I think it's about 1/2 way up. I have lots of room to go either way. I put mine on a stand to be in only 7 1/2" because I like to skim dry, and because I wanted the bottom of the collection cup to be higher than the lip of the sump to make draining into a skimmate locker easier. It seemed to work fine in 10" of water as well, on a lower pump setting.

The tank it's on though is new with a very light bioload, so I expect some adjusting will happen.

Great, thanks for letting me know. I had the pump on lower and had to move it up to speed 12. I have a light bio load as well

 

[1Bigfish]

How’s everyone’s dalua gw7 skimmer doing? Mine has been in use for 7 months now and isn’t skimming or working properly anymore. The pump is set at speed 12, but lowering the speed to 10 or increasing to 19 makes minimal difference in bubbles or height inside the skimmer. I get no foam head and no skimmate, nitrates are up to 10 now, P04 is at .08 so I have nutrients in the water column to skim out.
I’ve been in contact with Dalua, sent them a video and they say the pump is fine it is the air silencer that needs to be cleaned.
When I asked how to disassemble the air silencer to clean, they said you can’t. I’ve cleaned everything and checked everything there is no buildup or detritus anywhere, skimmer looks brand new.
It’s been a 2 week back and forth between store I bought the skimmer from and dalua, and I get the feeling no warranty will be honoured as I’m not getting any response anymore. At this point a big zero for customer service from a Dalua standing by there product, I’ll keep you posted.
If any dalua gw7 skimmer users have any idea as to what is going on please let me know. Thanks

 

[ksed]

Did you check to see if the Venturi is blocked with salt or calcium deposits?

 

[Firthy13]

I have been running the GW12, it's literally the same as the 7, except a few inches taller, for 14 months now..
It has been great so far. Very quiet. The noisiest part of it is the sound from the bubbles popping. Can't hear the pump unless you put your head over the sump.

 

[1Bigfish]

Did you check to see if the Venturi is blocked with salt or calcium deposits?

Checked, it’s clear.
Thanks

 

[ksed]

Checked, it’s clear.
Thanks

Maybe it might be the power supply. If they are on their way out it can’t supply enough power to the pump.

 

[1Bigfish]

Maybe it might be the power supply. If they are on their way out it can’t supply enough power to the pump.

Thanks, that’s kinda what I was thinking it could be as the pump is still running just not enough.
Good news! The supplier is sending me a new pump Which should solve the issue.
My faith is restored in dalua.
I’ll keep you posted once I get the pump

 

[Gudhjem]

Glad to hear they're making an effort to help solve your problem.

Mine has been running well for about 9 months now. I had a problem a few months back where is just stopped skimming, but turned out it was because the hose had come out of the venturi hole, so the ventrui was pulling mostly water, not air. Easy for that to happen to, since, as I noted above, there is no nipple or other connector for the venturi hose. It just sits kind of loosley in a hole on the venturi, so any movement will dislodge it.

It's a strange thing about these Great White skimmers. They are perhaps the quietest I've ever used, and skim very well, but lack polish in odd places. Why is there not way to securely connect the venturi hose? Why is the skimmer drain an odd ball size with no ridging or other feature to allow a secure hose attachment. Mine keeps leakign because I can't find a hose to fit. The very cheapest skimmers I've ever used have this, but not this otherwise great performer.

 

[1Bigfish]

How’s everyone’s dalua gw7 skimmer doing? Mine has been in use for 7 months now and isn’t skimming or working properly anymore. The pump is set at speed 12, but lowering the speed to 10 or increasing to 19 makes minimal difference in bubbles or height inside the skimmer. I get no foam head and no skimmate, nitrates are up to 10 now, P04 is at .08 so I have nutrients in the water column to skim out.
I’ve been in contact with Dalua, sent them a video and they say the pump is fine it is the air silencer that needs to be cleaned.
When I asked how to disassemble the air silencer to clean, they said you can’t. I’ve cleaned everything and checked everything there is no buildup or detritus anywhere, skimmer looks brand new.
It’s been a 2 week back and forth between store I bought the skimmer from and dalua, and I get the feeling no warranty will be honoured as I’m not getting any response anymore. At this point a big zero for customer service from a Dalua standing by there product, I’ll keep you posted.
If any dalua gw7 skimmer users have any idea as to what is going on please let me know. Thanks

Thought I would post an update in regards to my GW7 skimmer. It is now working perfectly again after having a new skimmer body sent to me under warranty. It was something to do with the in neck silencer. First, was sent a new warranty pump which did not solve the problem. Then I was sent a new skimmer body which solved the problem. A
Big shout out to Unique coral for looking after me so well. Anyone who is considering buying one of these skimmers, have no fear if you have any issues with it you will be taken care of and supported.

 

[Scottiemac]

I have the GW12DC skimmer. It had been working great, but over the last two days it stopped producing foam. I'm turned all the dials and adjusted all the knobs: no change. It looks like after you pour soda in a glass and the foam has died down. There's a few bubbles at the surface but that's it.