TOTW 8-23-05 Prism skimmer MODS

[scubadude]

I just started my 28g hex back up and fired up an old Prism that I had laying around and had to revisit some threads and to my surprise I found that alot of people absolutely hate this skimmer, however I have found a few mods to be worthy of this skimmer. And I have listed them in priority/preference to. The most important being the first one

• Put an airvalve on your airline to be able to adjust/tune your airflow start with very low flow.
• adjust your water inlet valve to VERY low flow if you notice from my pics below mine looks like its closed which it is but there still is water flowing through the pump just not much, this will keep your airbubbles down to a minimum on the skimmed water returning into the tank
• There are 2 valve connections on the top of the skimmer collection cup, one is a total plug for the airline, the other is sucking the air from the skimmer cup thus recirculating your air and this ALSO cuts down on the noise you hear from the skimmer, just put your airvalve between this connection.
• There are factory mods that basically have more impellers on the pumps, and there is a media basket to put in the last chamber to catch air bubbles if you fill it with carbon. These are the differences from what I gather between the Prism, Prism Pro, and Prism Deluxe
• I didnt like how the intake tube extended all the way out into my tank so I put a VHS plastic case between the skimmer body and the tank to take up the space between the input tube and the tank.
• Noise mod, like said before if you use one of the plugs for the airline recirculation that will quiet it down a bit, but also some people fill the first chamber on the Prizm models with water, this chamber technically doesnt need water but apparently it does quieten it down a bit
• Another mod I have heard about is getting a 1.5" to 1.25" reducer and supposedly this will fit snuggly between the skimmer and the cup, thus allowing to open this skimmer up which the pics you see below has it turned way down so apparently this skimmer does have much more effeciency it can take on.

These skimmers have a bad rap and I think the main reason is because they are NOT a plug and play skimmer, they do require some tweaking and it has been noted that many users of this skimmer report a break in time where they can slowly open it up as it builds up adjustment levels to the skimmer. I have heard that it needs to get the skimmate film inside the skimmer and work that new clean break in level. For the price of the skimmer and a little time and patience I do believe them to be well worth the $$ especially for a tank 40g or smaller. The only Mod I have on the skimmer right now with the pictures is the airline valve (actually using a gangvalve cuz I couldnt find a single valve) and the VHS plastic case, and as you can see from the pics this is not even 1 hr into it skimming Hope you guys find this thread worthy.

[Michael]

I have also been running a Prizm Deluxe on my 22 gallon reef. Although Ive also read a number of posts where members have slammed the unit, I have found it to work fine when properly tuned. I have also made a modification. I disconnected the air tubing from the collection cup to allow the unit to draw fresh air continuously rather than continuously recycling the same air to the column. This has helped me to drive up my O2 content. I also connected some air tubing from the drain connection on the collection cup and routed it to a collection bucket just in case the collection cup fills.

Again, now that I am use to the unit, I have found that it performs fine.

I just started my 28g hex back up and fired up an old Prism that I had laying around and had to revisit some threads and to my surprise I found that alot of people absolutely hate this skimmer, however I have found a few mods to be worthy of this skimmer. And I have listed them in priority/preference to. The most important being the first one.

I may try connecting an air valve as you reccomended but am not sure if I would benefit from this as I want to inroduce as much O2 as possible.

• Put an airvalve on your airline to be able to adjust/tune your airflow start with very low flow.
• adjust your water inlet valve to VERY low flow if you notice from my pics below mine looks like its closed which it is but there still is water flowing through the pump just not much, this will keep your airbubbles down to a minimum on the skimmed water returning into the tank
• There are 2 valve connections on the top of the skimmer collection cup, one is a total plug for the airline, the other is sucking the air from the skimmer cup thus recirculating your air and this ALSO cuts down on the noise you hear from the skimmer, just put your airvalve between this connection.
• There are factory mods that basically have more impellers on the pumps, and there is a media basket to put in the last chamber to catch air bubbles if you fill it with carbon. These are the differences from what I gather between the Prism, Prism Pro, and Prism Deluxe
• I didnt like how the intake tube extended all the way out into my tank so I put a VHS plastic case between the skimmer body and the tank to take up the space between the input tube and the tank.
• Noise mod, like said before if you use one of the plugs for the airline recirculation that will quiet it down a bit, but also some people fill the first chamber on the Prizm models with water, this chamber technically doesnt need water but apparently it does quieten it down a bit
• Another mod I have heard about is getting a 1.5" to 1.25" reducer and supposedly this will fit snuggly between the skimmer and the cup, thus allowing to open this skimmer up which the pics you see below has it turned way down so apparently this skimmer does have much more effeciency it can take on.

These skimmers have a bad rap and I think the main reason is because they are NOT a plug and play skimmer, they do require some tweaking and it has been noted that many users of this skimmer report a break in time where they can slowly open it up as it builds up adjustment levels to the skimmer. I have heard that it needs to get the skimmate film inside the skimmer and work that new clean break in level. For the price of the skimmer and a little time and patience I do believe them to be well worth the $$ especially for a tank 40g or smaller. The only Mod I have on the skimmer right now with the pictures is the airline valve (actually using a gangvalve cuz I couldnt find a single valve) and the VHS plastic case, and as you can see from the pics this is not even 1 hr into it skimming Hope you guys find this thread worthy.

[Samper]

I also think the prizm is a great skimmer..
it's a little noisy and you do have to tweak it but it works great.

It's running on a 20 gallon reef right now and I fill the collection cup to the top once a week...that's skimming as wet as it will possibly skim.

[scubadude]

I think I will be making a grate of some sort so the cerith snails wont be crawling inside the skimmer. Yesterday I cleaned the skimmer and took it apart cuz it stopped skimming, I had about 10 cerith snail shells in front of the output of the pump Consequently only 2 of those where still alive!

[Samper]

I had the same problem with the ceriths getting in there. They would live for a few days then die only to let their shells bounce around and irritate me as they hit the plastic.
I don't use it anymore since I hooked that Euro Reef up but I'm keeping it around just in case I ever need it.

[inwall75]

Just an FYI, the deluxe version is on clearance for 32% off.

http://www.championlighting.com/prod...cat=636&page=1

[Michael]

Ive had no problem with snails getting into my Prizm. Theywill often climb up the discharge but if you install the filter media basket, which is available aftermarket, they cant get into the skimmer.

[scubadude]

Yeah about the only place I have found them is here

http://www.aquariumguys.com/prizmbasket.html

You know anywhere else to get them cheaper Michael?

If not then I will just DIY one real quick....I like the idea of being able to throw some carbon in there though, its just that shipping on it will probably be around 10 bux then by the time I get it I have 20bux into it and I can probably spend an hour or two w/some spare parts and build something.

[Michael]

Sorry but dont know where you can find one cheaper. You could probably use a small filter media bag with some carbon just set into the discharge. Myself, I would opt for the basket even at $20. Fits perfect, easy to install and remove, just pour in your carbon, snap in the locking lid, and slip it into place. When carbon is spent, just lift it out, open the top, dump, rinse, refill. Super easy to fill and clean.