AQUA MEDIC EVO 1001 Protein Skimmers Instruction Manual

AQUA MEDIC EVO 1001 Protein Skimmers Instruction Manual

Motor driven skimmer for saltwater aquaria up to a volume of 500 liters
In purchasing this unit you have selected a top quality product. It has been specifically designed for aquarium use and has been tested by experts. This unit will efficiently remove the dissolved organic substances in your aquarium water.

Product description

The EVO 1001 consists of the following parts:

• foam cup and lid
• a venturi pump DC Runner 1000 incl. Aqua Medic needle wheel and safety transformer
• 8 mm hose incl. sound absorber

Parts of the EVO 1001

Fig. 1: EVO 1001

1. Lid for foam cup
2. Foam cup
3. O-ring for flow control
4. Flow control
5. Plug for pressure line
6. O-ring for pressure line’s plug
7. Skimmer body
8. Elbow for outlet pipe 90°
9. Elbow (45°) for pressure pipe
10. Pressure fitting, straight
11. Outlet pipe
12. Spacer bolt (3 x) incl. silicone sucker
13. Silencer
14. Clip for No. 13

Available spare parts: Please refer to www.aqua-medic.de.

Fig. 2: Venturi pump DC Runner 1000 incl. needle wheel

1. Rubber feet (4 pcs.)

2. Bottom plate
   2a. Adapter

3. Pump motor

4. Rear ceramic bearing

5. Rotor incl. needle wheel

6. Front ceramic bearing

7. Housing’s sealing

The pump DC Runner 1000 is operated by an electronic safety transformer at AC 110 – 240 V / 50 – 60 Hz and 24 V DC output. Power consumption of the pump is 12 watts, protection rating is IP X8. To open the pump, remove bottom plate and release the pump head ( Fig. 2, No. 9) by turning it.

Theory

Protein skimming is a method of physical water treatment. It uses a phenomenon known from our daily experience: the adhesion of surface active substances to air water layers. If we add a drop of oil to a water surface, a thin film is produced with a thickness of only one molecule. Surface active compounds like proteins behave in the same way. The EVO 1001 uses its air bubbles to create a large water surface for the waste substances to attach themselves to. These air bubbles are forced into the reactor-pipe in such a way that they undergo a long contact time within the counter-current. Enriched with organic substances, they rise to the top and form a firm foam that is dehydrated and pushed into the collection cup. This method removes organic wastes from the aquarium water before they become part of the biological waste treatment cycle.

The venturi pump DC Runner 1000 draws water out of the aquarium or filter chamber, mixes it with air in the pump housing which is then cut into small air bubbles by the Aqua Medic needle wheel. This water/air mixture is then pumped into the reaction pipe where organic substances are taken up by air bubbles. Foam is formed and pushed into the foam cup. The purified water leaves the skimmer via outlet and is directed back to the aquarium or filter sump by the discharge (Fig. 1, No. 8)

Set-up

The EVO 1001 is a skimmer that can be directly mounted on the aquarium edge “Hang on”, ( Fig. 4).

Fig. 4: EVO 1001 in “Hang on” operation

Set-up:
Assemble the necessary parts of the skimmer (see Fig. 1). Now, it can be attached to the aquarium. Look for a protected place within easy reach – at the side or the back. The venturi pump is connected with the pressure fitting (Fig. 1, No. 10). The length of the flexible hose should be as short as possible. A fixing of the pump at the glass pane is not necessary. The pump must be placed directly below the surface because the air intake will decrease and the water flow will increase if it is mounted deeper. This would lead to humid foam and fine air bubbles.

An 8-mm air tube is connected to the air injector (Fig. 2, No. 10) and fixed above the water level so the pump can draw in air. Use the full length of the air hose which is attached to the sound absorber (Fig. 1, No. 13). This will be connected to the holding plate and fixed at the outside above the water level. Now, the skimmer can be aligned with the aquarium. The two spacer bolts at the bottom of the skimmer are adjusted in such a way that the skimmer is hanging safely on the aquarium. It is advantageous if the skimmer is not 100% upright but leaning slightly (2°) to the aquarium (Fig. 4). The skimmer is not only hanging more safely then but also backflow of water from the outflow box over the aquarium frame is prevented. Both spacer bolts at the bottom are supplied with silicone suckers for increased safety. The skimmer is now ready for use and can be started.

Fig. 5: EVO 1001 set-up next to the filter tank

1. Venturi pump DC Runner 1000
2. Filter sump
3. Overflow
4. Return-pipe to aquarium

Set-up beside or inside the filter tank (Fig. 5):

The EVO 1001 can also be installed in the cabinet filter. It can be placed either in or outside the filter tank.

The set-up outside the aquarium (at the side) is done as described above. It is attached to the edge of the filter tank. If the filter tank is not high enough, the skimmer is placed beside the tank. If the water level in the filter tank is very low or there is a shortage of space in the tank, the outflow elbow fitting (Fig. 1, No. 8) may be connected to the outlet and then water will be directed to the water surface in the tank. This avoids splashing and reduces noises. The venturi pump is fixed inside the filter tank in such a way that it will not run dry and the length of the pressure tube shall be kept as short as possible. The pump should be placed close to the water surface. To prevent the pump running dry, we recommend to use an automatic level controller (e. g. Refill System, aquaniveau or Niveaumat) to ensure replacement of evaporated water and to keep the water level in the filter constant.

Starting/Performance

The system can be started when the skimmer is correctly installed. After switching on the pump, air is automatically drawn into the skimmer. To minimize the noise level, connect the air inlet tube with the blue connecting piece of the silencer supplied. Fix the silencer with the holding device on the aquarium or the filter system.

The needle wheel breaks the air into small bubbles. This method eliminates the greater proportion of noise. After the initial start, it might take a few days until the foam production is ideal. This is due to a reaction between the surface of acrylic glass and aquarium water. Equilibrium of electrical charges takes place. The quantity of liquid and organic substances is dependent on the pollution of the aquarium.

Problems

Adjustment
The skimmer is adjusted using the flow control (Fig. 1, No. 4) so it works to the optimum. The water level in the skimmer is adapted to foam production.

Air bubbles
Reduce the length of the hose between pump and skimmer. The pump should be placed close to the surface, otherwise, more water and less air will be sucked in because of the increasing water pressure. Result: Many air bubbles are leaving the skimmer, wet foam will fill the foam cup in a very short time.

If the skimmer is added to an existing aquarium, there may be a high concentration of organic substances already dissolved in the water. This results in very tiny bubbles in the skimmer. These tiny bubbles remove the organic substances effectively, however, it may happen that some of these bubbles are drawn back into the aquarium. After a few days, the concentration of organic substances will have decreased to such low levels that this effect will have gone and the water flow is free of air bubbles.

Some types of frozen food may have the same effects, especially, it the food is not thawn and washed prior to feeding it to the fish. The air bubbles will stop after a short period by themselves. Greases will stop the skimming completely.

Wet foam
With freshly prepared salt water, after using water conditioners or at extremely high loading, excessive wet foam may be produced. This wet foam is forced into the cup, requiring more frequent emptying than normal. After approx. one day, the aquarium load will be normal and the skimmer will produce correct foam. If it is not getting any better, first of all lower the water level in the skimmer by opening the control flow. Furthermore, reduce the length of the hose (see air bubbles).

In new set-up aquaria, there is usually no reasonable skimming. The skimmer produces large quantities of wet foam.

Dry foam
Not enough or too dry foam could be an indication that the needle wheel or air injection nozzle is dirty. A thorough cleaning is recommended. Remove the pressure fitting from the pump. If it’s not a problem of cleaning, increase water level inside the skimmer by the water level controller.

When there’s a problem, please make sure that the reduction (Fig. 2, No. 12) is installed.

Maintenance

The collection cup should be cleaned regularly (daily or weekly, depending on organic load). The reaction pipe of the skimmer needs to be cleaned only occasionally. The venturi pump should also be removed and cleaned regularly so there is no negative impact on the air output. The pump has to be removed and the complete pump housing and needle wheel flushed with clean water. The same procedure should be undertaken with the air  injection nozzle.

Warranty conditions

AB Aqua Medic GmbH grants the first-time user a 24-month guarantee from the date of purchase on all material and manufacturing defects of the device. Incidentally, the consumer has legal rights; these are not limited by this warranty. This warranty does not cover user serviceable parts, due to normal wear & tear. The original invoice or receipt is required as proof of purchase. During the warranty period, we will repair the product for free by installing new or renewed parts. This warranty only covers material and processing faults that occur when used as intended. It does not apply to damage caused by transport, improper handling, incorrect installation, negligence, interference or repairs made by unauthorized persons. In case of a fault with the unit during or after the warranty period, please contact your dealer. All further steps are clarified between the dealer and AB Aqua Medic. All complaints and returns that are not sent to us via specialist dealers cannot be processed. AB Aqua Medic is not liable for consequential damages resulting from the use of any of our products.

AB Aqua Medic GmbH – Gewerbepark 24 – 49143 Bissendorf/Germany
– Technical changes reserved – 07/2022/v1

References

• Aqua Medic GmbH

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