Pepere Posted June 21 Share Posted June 21 (edited) The 17 mm size works well connecting to the Fluval 207 ribbed hoses with the fluval rubber connectors. For extra security I am fitting 7/8 diameter to 3/8 diameter stainless steel hose clamps to ensure it doesnt slip off in time… This morning, surface protein film is all gone. I was also able to slip large co op pre filter coarse sponge over the bottom portion nicely. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01LWSEEBD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Edited June 21 by Pepere 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeQ Posted June 21 Share Posted June 21 (edited) Let us know how you like it a few month from now. I've been thinking of getting the Fluval skimmer attachment but on the other hand I don't really want to sacrifice the extra flow im getting from using the Ehime Skimmer. Edited June 21 by JoeQ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepere Posted June 21 Author Share Posted June 21 I liked the idea of not having another item, and another electrical cord in the tank. I feel this glass pipe looks better than the Fluval skimmer myself. So far I have not noticed it impacting flow out of the spray bar compared to the original Fluval supplied intake and co op prefilter sponge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeQ Posted June 21 Share Posted June 21 22 minutes ago, Pepere said: I liked the idea of not having another item, and another electrical cord in the tank. I feel this glass pipe looks better than the Fluval skimmer myself. So far I have not noticed it impacting flow out of the spray bar compared to the original Fluval supplied intake and co op prefilter sponge. The clear is nice, another one of my concerns is; will the self prime function still work with the diffrent intake design? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndEEss Posted June 21 Share Posted June 21 1 minute ago, JoeQ said: The clear is nice, another one of my concerns is; will the self prime function still work with the diffrent intake design? I have a home-made 25mm 304 SS jet pipe exactly like the one shown, and I have no problems with my FX4 starting up after maintenance. Most important thing is to close disconnect the aquastop valves before performing maintenance, then open them back up and allow the hoses to fill the filter via a siphon action. After that is done, restart the filter. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepere Posted June 21 Author Share Posted June 21 The design is such that the siphon would not be broken unless the tank water level is down more than 6 inches or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeQ Posted June 21 Share Posted June 21 Then what is the function of that ball in the intake tube? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndEEss Posted June 21 Share Posted June 21 (edited) 11 minutes ago, JoeQ said: Then what is the function of that ball in the intake tube? That's not a ball. That's an interior glass tube, cut at an angle, which, when twisted, modulates the amount of water sucked in at the bottom. In turn, this controls the amount of water which must be sucked in by the skimmer at the top. Edited June 21 by AndEEss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeQ Posted June 21 Share Posted June 21 I have the 407, it has a lever to adjust flow, I really need to download the owners manual to find out the function of that ball thingy...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepere Posted June 21 Author Share Posted June 21 Here are some photos. stainless hose clamps securing Fluval rubber connector snugging up to glass pipe and to ribbed hose. Dont want that pulling loose. skimmer in action. side view of tank. front view of tank. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob_dixon Posted June 21 Share Posted June 21 I bought an ADA skimmer (Vuppa 2). That thing is overrated for a few reasons, and once you factor in price IMO it is a fool's purchase. I did NOT go with one of these intake style skimmers as i read so many people having to constantly dial it in as water levels change. BUT i can now certainly say its no different with the Vuppa at many times the cost. $$$$ SO I am just hear to say I think you made the right choice with this type of skimmer. Next time i will try one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepere Posted June 21 Author Share Posted June 21 I have a lid on the tank that slows down evaporation loss. Every Saturday morning I do a waterchange. Water levels dont change much over the course of a week. The submerged portion of the skimmer is controlled by suction pressure and retained air under the skimmer float. We will see over the coming weeks how much fiddling is required to maintain it… $29.00 was easy enough on the wallet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepere Posted June 21 Author Share Posted June 21 7 hours ago, JoeQ said: I really need to download the owners manual to find out the function of that ball thingy.. There sure isnt much to the included manual.. And there isnt a ball thing in the bottom of the device. I will take some pictures later. Basically though there is a plug in the bottom of the intake with a slant cut in the upright tube. Rotating the plug rotates that obstruction in front of or aeay from intake slots. By doing so you increase or decrease the flow through the bottom while alternatively increasing or decreasing the suction effect on the skimmer. you then add or remove air in the chamber under the skimmer to effect the amount of flotation it has. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepere Posted June 21 Author Share Posted June 21 Clarification pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dork Fish Posted June 22 Share Posted June 22 @Pepere Definitely let us know what you think of the performance, ease of use, and whether you think it is worth it 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Vercetti Posted June 22 Share Posted June 22 I run the same set up but with 7/8" outer diameter (5/8" inner diameter) clear vinyl hose from home depot. Yes the hose fits the fluval filter if you chamfer the end of the hose about 1/8 inch. The skimmer is great and you can adjust the height of the skimmer by using a pipette to put more air (or less air) under the floating skimmer. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepere Posted July 5 Author Share Posted July 5 So far, 2 weeks use, I havent had any need to fiddle with the surface skimmer floatation. From time to time I remove loose leaves from the skimmer. What I have found though, which is counter intuitive, is that if there is a power outage, the skimmer sinks. When the filter restarts it stay sunk. The inner piston sleeve then occludes the opening throttling flow to the filter reducing flow significantly. You do need to pull the skimmer up above the surface of the water and hold it there for a second or two for flow to stabilize and allow skimmer to stabilize. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dork Fish Posted July 5 Share Posted July 5 @Pepere that is interesting about the power outage. Sounds like a small UPS would come in handy 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepere Posted July 5 Author Share Posted July 5 I am planning on trying a small nylon zip tie to prevent the float from sinking too much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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