High Altitude Skimming??

Discussion in 'Protein Skimmers' started by kracer1025, Jul 29, 2010.

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  1. johntekin

    johntekin Fire Worm

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    I am @ 5,200 feet and have no trouble skimming
     
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  3. kracer1025

    kracer1025 Skunk Shrimp

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    John I live in new mexico also just a little lower down. I really don't have trouble skimming my skimmer works well and keeps my tank very clean, I get some really nasty dry sludge. I am just unable to get a bit wetter skim.
     
  4. Powerman

    Powerman Giant Squid

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    And the answer is.... It most definitely effects skimmer performance. It isn't about how wet or dry your skimmate is. That is a matter of adjustment. Less atmospheric pressure equals less air draw. I live at 6000 ft and have 20% less air. My skimmer pulls 20% less air.

    When I got the skimmer I thought it was defective. After exstensive testing and changing... even going as far as buying the very air meter the manufactureer was using to measure with.... it pulls 20% less air than those well documented skimmers at SL.

    If you are sizing your skimmer on air draw and tank size, you need to compensate for your altitude.
     
  5. Newreef15

    Newreef15 Horrid Stonefish

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    i agree bc the skimmer dosent need pure oxygen it just need a gas
     
  6. Newreef15

    Newreef15 Horrid Stonefish

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    thats makes sense

    i didnt think about that
     
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  7. Powerman

    Powerman Giant Squid

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    Gas ratios are the same, there is just less of it.
     
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  9. kracer1025

    kracer1025 Skunk Shrimp

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    I thought that was the case. I beleive I read a review on an swc skimmer that stated it was tested in Colorado and that it was well documented that air draw through skimmers was about 20% less at high altitudes.

    Now when choosing a skimmer for high altitudes and compenstaing for the higher altitude and 20% loss in efficiency would you need to go up in skimmer size. Even with the larger skimmers having larger neck sizes therefore making it harder to build a head of foam or would it be possible to install a larger pump on the smaller skimmer bodies to make it draw the amount of air the body was designed to handle.
     
  10. Powerman

    Powerman Giant Squid

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    That was me. I have tested a couple of skimmers and those here is Colorado after they took a look found the same.

    Ya, basically there really is no sizing for skimmers based on air draw. Just a rough guide with needle wheels of 500-1000 lph per 100g. In fact... skimmer ratings in general are a total guess... don't get me started....

    All you need to be aware of is that it happens. If your skimmer is rated for what you have, then you are already at capacity and it is not helping. So if you go by 1.5-2 times rating... skimmer on a 100g tank rated for 150-200g.... then you will be good.

    You can put on a bigger pump to pull more air, but you will also increase the amout of water you are putting through too. It all effects how the skimmer works. I was going to do it, but I don't really need it. Also.... air draw is not the end all be all. So don't loose too much sleep over it, just be aware of it. Do whatever you can to stream line any air restriction present. Running water level just a little on the high side of recommended will pull more air. Skimmers and air draw are very sensitive to water level.
     
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  11. kracer1025

    kracer1025 Skunk Shrimp

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    Thanks powerman for all the help. I thought from post that it was you that wrote the review about the swc skimmer. You have been a great help K+ to you for all the help.
     
  12. Powerman

    Powerman Giant Squid

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    glad I could help.