Spare a mag 9.5?

Amphiprion · Post by **Amphiprion** » Fri Nov 04, 2005 11:44 pm

Anyone have an old or (gasp) broken mag 9.5 lying around the junkpile? If so, let me know.

NM354 · Post by **NM354** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 1:47 pm

are you going to try and see if that works better on the skimmer?

Amphiprion · Post by **Amphiprion** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 5:52 pm

You are correct, sir. Not sure what the problem is. I have heard many other examples of the Aqua C's going great for a while and then "shutting down." I'll try a new, stronger pump with a ball valve and see if that doesnt help (seems to help a lot of other people). If not, its going to piss me off (after working great for years) and I'll get an ASM.

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 6:23 pm

My knowledge about the AC's are limited but have you cleaned the sprayer or venturi or whatever they call the air injection device? What about a gate valve mod on the output side?

Amphiprion · Post by **Amphiprion** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 9:22 pm

Yes. The "inductor" (or so they call it) was the first thing i decided to clean-not so much as a bacterial film on it. Next, I cleaned the mag drive impeller in a diluted HCl solution (too impatient to wait on vinegar). Still there was no improvement. The gate valve mod may help, but I do not have the room for it in the sump. I have cleaned the body of the skimmer also, including the air valve-still no luck. You see, it still skims, but not to my satisfaction (I dont think anyone makes one like that

) and it is quite a decrease from the usual. No changes, tank has been running for a long, long time, etc. Dont put my hands in very often (once a week at the most), so no problem there. Like I said, many folks have had some better luck at using a slightly stronger pump, so if I can get one cheap, Im willing to try it.

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Sat Nov 05, 2005 11:50 pm

Have you checked your salinity recently? My old Nautilus' skimming slowed once and my salinity was less than 30. Another time (when I had only a hydrometer) my skimmate production doubled, so I started looking for a reason. I ordered a refractometer and it was over 40. So I have run the gamut on screwing up with salinity and I know it effects lots of things.

You can configure the gate valve mod so that it takes up only a small amount more space. If I get a chance I will get a pic of mine. I have a ER 8-2 with the mod along with a Mag 12, heater, drain pipes and pipes to divert flow back to the sump and still have a little space to put a couple of containers for acclimating livestock. I made mine so that it dumps near the return pump intake. Since doing it I have seen an improvement is skimmate production and SPS color and health.

Amphiprion · Post by **Amphiprion** » Sat Nov 26, 2005 7:21 pm

Just an update. I finally got a 9.5 for $20 and I am very impressed with the improved performance. My experience with many of the mag drives is that they do not always push the water volume that they are rated for (I have found the fluctuation can be drastic from pump to pump). With the mag on, it skims nearly a collection cup full every two days, so I am pleased with its resumed/improved performance. Scott, I always keep my salinity at 1.026-1.027 sg or 34.3-35 ppt, so I had to rule that one out. As for the mod, I meant I had VERY LITTLE space (~2"). I appreciate the comments/advice anyway.