Power off and tuning your skimmer
- Thread starter Alesolra
- Start date
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DerekFF
Active Member
Oh oh I get it now. I mean it shouldn't be an issue really if the cup does get filled with water. Just empty it out when you get home(if it went out when you were at work) or if you're home just empty it when the power comes on. Your tank won't even notice. Unless you're gone for a week or longer with no one watching your tank in a power outage prone area. So my opinion is dont worry about it
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yea, I don't have trouble wiht mine either, it will foam up and quickly subside. Do you have a drain line to a gallon jug from your skimmer cup?
dunc101
Community Member
If you are really concerned about this, you can use a controller to "delay" the start of the skimmer whenever power is turned on. I use an Apex to do this exact thing.
The following statement would defer the outlet for 2 minutes before the outlet really turns on.
[Skimmer outlet]
FALLBACK ON
SET ON
DEFER 02:00 THEN ON
The outlet with your return pump would not have the defer statement, therefore it would have been running for 2 minutes before the skimmer turns on and given your return pump plenty of time to "normalize" the water level.
Note that pretty much any controller has this capability (reefangel, reefkeeper ... i believe, and profiliux).
The following statement would defer the outlet for 2 minutes before the outlet really turns on.
[Skimmer outlet]
FALLBACK ON
SET ON
DEFER 02:00 THEN ON
The outlet with your return pump would not have the defer statement, therefore it would have been running for 2 minutes before the skimmer turns on and given your return pump plenty of time to "normalize" the water level.
Note that pretty much any controller has this capability (reefangel, reefkeeper ... i believe, and profiliux).
Mike J.
2500 Club Member
We turn all the pumps off a couple times a day to feed. I have the skimmer on a different switch and wait about a minute extra to flip it on. But, as far as your question, it'll just fill up if you're not home. I can't think of anything that will keep it from coming on right away like everything else.
Mike J.
2500 Club Member
Well, I learned something new today. I'm going to have to do this! Thank you.
mcarroll
10K Club member
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You're right...now I feel a little dense for forgetting this.
Any ATO that runs on a reed-type float (magnetic) the float can be removed and replaced upside down. Instead of turning on a pump when the level drops like normal, it will turn on when the level gets a certain height. "pump saver mode" so to speak.
Anyone actually done this?
In case my explanation isn't 100% clear or 100% correct, here's a good diagram that should explain it:
http://www.aquahub.com/store/howfloatsw.html
To boot, those guys have a great selection of parts and kits to build a "pump saver" yourself if that's the way you decide to go.
-Matt
dunc101
Community Member
You can get an Apex from most saltwater stores online. e.g.: bulkreefsupply.com, marinedepot.com, etc. Note that these controllers do a lot more than just control your skimmer, hence the "price shock" you may experience if you are not familiar with reef aquarium controllers, lol. You can get a reefangel from reefangel.com.
If you are looking for a budget friendly price, I would suggest what GHill762 stated as that will be MUCH cheaper if all you are looking to do is what you stated in the original post.
If you are looking for a budget friendly price, I would suggest what GHill762 stated as that will be MUCH cheaper if all you are looking to do is what you stated in the original post.
