CPR SR3 Questions

[5881]

I have been running a CPR SR3 slimmer in my BioCube 29 for about 4 months now with limited success. The directions IMO are marginal for a beginner, and it seems that the CPR forum is not active any longer. A couple of issues:
1) I do not really know how to properly adjust the air valve, meaning noise vs. air flow to the pump. I frankly am not really sure what it does. Will using a wood air stone in its place reduce noise? If I do that would I then only use the height of the collection chamber to regulate amount of bubbles going into collection chamber.
2) Is there supposed to be a small o ring between the screw and body of the air valve? I don't see one, but for some reason I remember one (I could be totally wrong)
3) Bubbles, bubbles, bubbles.
If anyone can give me a basic primer on how to use this thing, and any tricks or mods there might be I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks

[Poseidon]

I wish I could help, do you have any pictures that I can see? I am not familiar with that model skimmer, but would be willing to take a peak.

[5881]

Thanks for the reply. Here is a link to the CPR page CPR AQUATIC, INC - DX and SR Series Protein Skimmers It is a pain to take the skimmer out of the sump of the BC29, but the picture on their site is decent, although it does not show the air valve. I am guessing that all skimmers need a source of air for the pump to aerate the water to get lift, I just don't get how much air is needed. There is a screw valve (threaded barrel and a screw at the end of anair hose that goes to the base of the pump) that regulates the amount of air that goes to the pump. If I were to add an airstone the air would be a fixed amount, although I bet I would not get the gurgling sounds I have now. If I do that and have a constant air supply, then my foam flow would be adjusted only by the height of the collection cup. The amount of foam I get changes dramaticly with the water level of the tank. Maybe all of this is normal, and I just have an unrealistic expectation of ease of use.

[tholleyh46]

Sounds like the same set up as a CPR bak-pak, but I'm not real sure what you're trying to accomplish. It just creates the bubbles in the skimmer. If you block it off, no bubbles; wide open = lots of bubbles. I just play with it to get it right, but you are right - hugely effected by water level - an auto topoff would be the only way to eliminate the constant tweaking.

[Poseidon]

After looking at that image, the valve you are talking about controls the amount of air getting the venturi. Just find the "sweet spot" and leave it, but YES I can see where the water level in the tank will play a role on skimmer performance.

I think you are "stuck" with the tinkering...

[miesenjr]

hey, I have the same set up with the CPR skimmer. had the same issues, fixed by adding 1 foot exrta air line and use a air stone on the end for noise. I keep the water level in the pump section all the way up the sight glass. This keeps the level stable in the middle chamber for the skimmer. also helps with the air bubbles.