My NEW A200-1260

UCanDoIt · 04/05/2006, 05:54 PM

Well, I just received my A200 on Monday afternoon and my aquarium tech brought it over the same day and a lot of modifications needed to done to get this baby inside my tank stand and within my sump area.

Picture #1
Plumbing was redone for gravity feed. About 10" of my custom shelving was trimmed away so we could get the skimmer to fit inside the tank stand. And as you can see from photo that after about 35 hours, I have really nice foaming and milky white in the chamber. My only problem was that the footprint was bigger than stated on the Fins Reef/H&S website, so the pump could not clear my sump wall. It just hung mid-water in the sump about 3" from the bottom.

Picture #2
My aquarium tech built me a quick PVC stand to raise my A200 about 3", so it would clear my sump wall. Worked perfectly except now, to remove the collection cup it's too tight against the top of my tank stand. Not that I couldn't remove the collection cup, just very inconvenient.

Picture #3
The PVC stand worked great and very stable too. Eheim clears my sump wall about 1/4". You can see from this closeup that there's at least 2" that the Eheim sticks out beyond the elbow. From exhaust to elbow is 17", but to the end of the Eheim is about 19". Fins Reef has since revised their footprint measurement after my dealer complained to them about this embarrashing situation where they delivered my system and wasn't even close to fitting my setup.

Picture #4
Then big disappointment, the Eheim pump came damaged. We didn't notice when installing, but there were small pieces of plastic in the bubble wrap that the pump came in and this was why. Doesn't affect performance of the skimmer unless the pump is damaged inside, but just doesn't look nice when one pays $1,100 for a skimmer and expect cosmetically perfect.

My aquarium technician still needs to fine tune the plumbing for the feed as the setup took so long that he didn't have time to finish it correctly. The water feeding is too slow even with the ball valve fully open at this point. Should be corrected by this weekend when he has time to buy the plumbing parts and come back to finish my setup.

I'm kind of struggling and trying to decide whether to keep this unit or not as the fit is not real good. I like everything to fit and look good. My aquarium tech says no problems with returning it if I'm really dissatisfied. BUT THIS IS SUCH A NICE UNIT!!! It's really awesome! Well, this weekend, I'll either be posting some performance photos or none because the unit is gone.

Treg · 04/05/2006, 07:51 PM

Just Curisous, how does one become an Aquarium Technician?

Is there like an Aquarium Tech School?
The California Aquarium Technical University?

UCanDoIt · 04/05/2006, 07:53 PM

What a fancy name for aquarium maintenace person!

Who does water changes and custom installations.

Jim_S · 04/05/2006, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Treg
Just Curisous, how does one become an Aquarium Technician?

Is there like an Aquarium Tech School?
The California Aquarium Technical University?

I was wondering this myself.

So you pay this guy to hook up your system for you? Thats like my favorite part of this hobby...

.....

UCanDoIt · 04/05/2006, 08:17 PM

I'm female and don't like to work with my hands on stuff like plumbing, leave it to the experts. If anything happens, the aquarium maintainance company is fully insured.

Treg · 04/05/2006, 09:09 PM

Kinda takes the U outta UCanDoIt.
Unless by U you mean "Someone else" can do it...

Nice skimmer, you tech did a good job.

The broken pump cover might be replacable ?

thedigitalimager · 04/05/2006, 09:36 PM

That PVC stand is clever. I'm going to use that design in my own sump to create additional room for my heaters. Many thanks for posting the pics.

UCanDoIt · 04/07/2006, 01:06 PM

I decided to keep my A200 and KM Associates Int'l, who sold me this unit, is just absolutely great! They offered me a huge discount for the damage pump case, which they told me was strictly cosmetic and won't affect the performance of the pump AND Fins Reef will be providing a shorter collection cup at no cost to me. WHAT CUSTOMER SERVICE!!! After my plumbing is finished, I post some performance photos as soon as I have some to share.

AcroSteve · 04/07/2006, 04:19 PM

Sweet!

Post some pics of your tank too.

UCanDoIt · 04/07/2006, 07:16 PM

Per Your Request. This is a fish only tank that I have on my new A200 on. I have a couple of medium size Angelfishes that are hiding.

Zoom · 04/07/2006, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by UCanDoIt
Per Your Request. This is a fish only tank that I have on my new A200 on. I have a couple of medium size Angelfishes that are hiding.

That little Clown trigger is the same size when i got mine two years a go .
Feed it some raw clams it will get big very quickly.
My is 9" now very aggressive i can not put my hand in the tank to clean it any longer.

exo · 04/08/2006, 10:39 AM

Nice Skimmer
NIce tank
Good luck
Youll be glad you kept the unit.\

UCanDoIt · 04/08/2006, 12:58 PM

Well, it's been 24 hours from the time that my aquarium tech finished the plumbing on my setup as he needed to get some parts. Now the waterflow rate is correct. To complete the project from the gravity feed, he went with 1" T which feeds into 1" Ball Valve which connects to a short piece of 1" ID vinyl tubing, which finally adapts to a 3/4" x 1/2" PVC elbow, so the reduction to 1/2" is right at the skimmer. Earlier, he had a temporary hookup where the plumbing was reduced to 1/2" right after the ball valve and that slow the waterflow rate too slow and even with the ball valve wide open, most of the water was going out the other end of the T that was above the ball valve. It was temporary as he didn't have the parts that he needed as well as it took so long to get the oversized skimmer into my sump that is within my tank stand. He did a GREAT JOB and I'm totally happy with what I ended up with.

UCanDoIt · 04/09/2006, 07:04 AM

Any other A200 H&S club member are more than welcome to post their performance photos here to give potential new owners more information before they make an educated decision on which skimmer to invest in.

UCanDoIt · 04/12/2006, 05:21 PM

Just in time for cleaning. I like to skim wet, so the skim is more like a dark greenish brown tea color with a thick layer of dark brown gunt at the top edge of inside riser tube.

DirtySouth056 · 04/25/2006, 05:26 PM

Nice post! I wish other's would post pics of their A200's, and how they are setup. Thanks for the pm's I'm in contact w/ Ed.

UCanDoIt · 04/29/2006, 04:03 AM

In response to question by email about details on the gravity feed. If you are going to gravity feed from the tank's overflow box, you need the pressure to be constant going to the skimmer, so the greatest waterflow should be directed straight towards the skimmer and then tailored back by a ball or gate valve. You also need a T fitting before the ball or gate valve, so all the excess surging and gurgling that goes on with overflows empties out on the side of the T into the sump. Here's a sketch that my aquarium maintenance person did for me when he setup my tank. My gravity feed in an earlier photo is setup exactly like this.

Reefrookie2006 · 05/02/2006, 02:20 AM

Here is the A200 1260 skimmer I just got today...I'm still waiting for a 190g LeeMar Starfire tank.

Reefrookie2006 · 05/02/2006, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by UCanDoIt
I decided to keep my A200 and KM Associates Int'l, who sold me this unit, is just absolutely great! They offered me a huge discount for the damage pump case, which they told me was strictly cosmetic and won't affect the performance of the pump AND Fins Reef will be providing a shorter collection cup at no cost to me. WHAT CUSTOMER SERVICE!!! After my plumbing is finished, I post some performance photos as soon as I have some to share.

Do you have a shorter collection cup picture? What's a purpose for this shorter collection cup.

UCanDoIt · 05/02/2006, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Reefrookie2006
Do you have a shorter collection cup picture? What's a purpose for this shorter collection cup.

My shorter collection cup should be shipped this week, so I should be receiving next week. The reason why I'm getting a shorter cup on Finns Reef expense is because the footprint measurements on their website was incorrect and when I received my A200, even with extensive modifications to the tank stand and sump, we couldn't get it to fit as the Eheim was hanging against my sump wall. So, my aquarium tech built me a short PVC stand to raise the skimmer high enough so the pump clears the sump wall. Well, what ended up happenning was the collection cup is right up against the top of my tanks stand and very difficult to remove for cleaning. So, as part of their great customer service, they are swapping out my collection cup for one that is shorter for easy removal. Typically, this type of modification is a $50 customization charge.

Reefrookie2006 · 05/02/2006, 10:23 AM

I got it. Thanks for the information.

CloWn SpaWn · 05/03/2006, 08:28 AM

UCanDoIt: where did you pick up the air valve at? trying to get my skimmer set, but i didn't a get you air valve. and what is the best way to tell how much flow you got going in to the skimmer? i set it up just like your pic.

UCanDoIt · 05/03/2006, 01:11 PM

My local dealer gave me that instead of the standard H&S air clamp, since I was one of his best customers. Not sure where he got it or maybe he booted it off one of his EuroReef or Deltecs. You should have received a air clamp with your skimmer which should work just as good. I just love the air valve, really easy to dial in and it looks cool. Below is a post of air meters.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=835776

Quote:

Originally posted by Wombat_101
Brian or anyone...

Brian you recommended the:

As for the airflow meter, I use the Dwyer RMA-22. You can purchase them at
http://www.dwyer-inst.com/htdocs/flow/SeriesRMPrice.cfm
They are not 100% accurate, but close enough for our applications.

In another thread for the 200-1260, I have the 150-F2001 and wanted to know if I should get the same meter or a smaller one.

Also is the fitting the same as well,
A340
http://www.dwyer-inst.com/htdocs/mis...gs-filters.cfm

Thanks,
Greg

Quote:

Originally posted by FinsReef
That is correct, go with the RMA22, and the fitting.

UCanDoIt · 05/03/2006, 01:13 PM

CloWn SpaWn, I see you bought a A150 from DRZL-sauras. Post some photos on Jim's A150 thread when you get it up & running.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=788562

CloWn SpaWn · 05/03/2006, 01:30 PM

okay, i am to lazy to look. what a air meters for.
and i did buy his skimmer, but no air clamp with it. cant take pics right now cause my money is going in to my tank and i want a better camera then a kodak.

04/07/2006, 04:19 PM	#9
AcroSteve Helter Skelter Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Electric Avenue Posts: 5,034	Sweet! Post some pics of your tank too. __________________ **************** "Work hard, rock hard, eat hard, sleep hard, grow big, wear glasses if you need 'em." -- The Webb Wilder Credo -- don't go ninjin' nobody that don't need ninjin'! Current Tank Info: 220g custom plywood. SPS heavy with Sequence Hammerhead return with 4-Way OM. Tunze 6100, 6200 and Wavebox. 5000btu DIY Chiller. Lighting is 10K mh 250W / VHO Actinic Skimer - H&S A200-2x1260

04/08/2006, 10:39 AM	#12
exo Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Coatesville, Pa. Posts: 101	Nice Skimmer NIce tank Good luck Youll be glad you kept the unit.\ __________________ A fool and his money are easily parted " Current Tank Info: 150 reef, sps /half all others the other half..

04/08/2006, 12:58 PM	#13
UCanDoIt Moved On Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bay Area CA Posts: 2,647	Day 2 Performance Photos Well, it's been 24 hours from the time that my aquarium tech finished the plumbing on my setup as he needed to get some parts. Now the waterflow rate is correct. To complete the project from the gravity feed, he went with 1" T which feeds into 1" Ball Valve which connects to a short piece of 1" ID vinyl tubing, which finally adapts to a 3/4" x 1/2" PVC elbow, so the reduction to 1/2" is right at the skimmer. Earlier, he had a temporary hookup where the plumbing was reduced to 1/2" right after the ball valve and that slow the waterflow rate too slow and even with the ball valve wide open, most of the water was going out the other end of the T that was above the ball valve. It was temporary as he didn't have the parts that he needed as well as it took so long to get the oversized skimmer into my sump that is within my tank stand. He did a GREAT JOB and I'm totally happy with what I ended up with. Last edited by UCanDoIt; 04/08/2006 at 01:14 PM.

04/12/2006, 05:21 PM	#15
UCanDoIt Moved On Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bay Area CA Posts: 2,647	Collection Cup after 5 days Just in time for cleaning. I like to skim wet, so the skim is more like a dark greenish brown tea color with a thick layer of dark brown gunt at the top edge of inside riser tube.

04/05/2006, 05:54 PM	#1
UCanDoIt Moved On Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bay Area CA Posts: 2,647	My NEW A200-1260 Well, I just received my A200 on Monday afternoon and my aquarium tech brought it over the same day and a lot of modifications needed to done to get this baby inside my tank stand and within my sump area. Picture #1 Plumbing was redone for gravity feed. About 10" of my custom shelving was trimmed away so we could get the skimmer to fit inside the tank stand. And as you can see from photo that after about 35 hours, I have really nice foaming and milky white in the chamber. My only problem was that the footprint was bigger than stated on the Fins Reef/H&S website, so the pump could not clear my sump wall. It just hung mid-water in the sump about 3" from the bottom. Picture #2 My aquarium tech built me a quick PVC stand to raise my A200 about 3", so it would clear my sump wall. Worked perfectly except now, to remove the collection cup it's too tight against the top of my tank stand. Not that I couldn't remove the collection cup, just very inconvenient. Picture #3 The PVC stand worked great and very stable too. Eheim clears my sump wall about 1/4". You can see from this closeup that there's at least 2" that the Eheim sticks out beyond the elbow. From exhaust to elbow is 17", but to the end of the Eheim is about 19". Fins Reef has since revised their footprint measurement after my dealer complained to them about this embarrashing situation where they delivered my system and wasn't even close to fitting my setup. Picture #4 Then big disappointment, the Eheim pump came damaged. We didn't notice when installing, but there were small pieces of plastic in the bubble wrap that the pump came in and this was why. Doesn't affect performance of the skimmer unless the pump is damaged inside, but just doesn't look nice when one pays $1,100 for a skimmer and expect cosmetically perfect. My aquarium technician still needs to fine tune the plumbing for the feed as the setup took so long that he didn't have time to finish it correctly. The water feeding is too slow even with the ball valve fully open at this point. Should be corrected by this weekend when he has time to buy the plumbing parts and come back to finish my setup. I'm kind of struggling and trying to decide whether to keep this unit or not as the fit is not real good. I like everything to fit and look good. My aquarium tech says no problems with returning it if I'm really dissatisfied. BUT THIS IS SUCH A NICE UNIT!!! It's really awesome! Well, this weekend, I'll either be posting some performance photos or none because the unit is gone.

04/05/2006, 07:51 PM	#2
Treg Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,836	Just Curisous, how does one become an Aquarium Technician? Is there like an Aquarium Tech School? The California Aquarium Technical University?

04/05/2006, 07:53 PM	#3
UCanDoIt Moved On Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bay Area CA Posts: 2,647	What a fancy name for aquarium maintenace person! Who does water changes and custom installations. Last edited by UCanDoIt; 04/05/2006 at 08:15 PM.

04/05/2006, 08:17 PM	#5
UCanDoIt Moved On Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bay Area CA Posts: 2,647	I'm female and don't like to work with my hands on stuff like plumbing, leave it to the experts. If anything happens, the aquarium maintainance company is fully insured.

04/05/2006, 09:09 PM	#6
Treg Premium Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,836	Kinda takes the U outta UCanDoIt. Unless by U you mean "Someone else" can do it... Nice skimmer, you tech did a good job. The broken pump cover might be replacable ?

04/05/2006, 09:36 PM	#7
thedigitalimager Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Rockport, Texas Posts: 253	That PVC stand is clever. I'm going to use that design in my own sump to create additional room for my heaters. Many thanks for posting the pics.

04/07/2006, 01:06 PM	#8
UCanDoIt Moved On Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bay Area CA Posts: 2,647	I decided to keep my A200 and KM Associates Int'l, who sold me this unit, is just absolutely great! They offered me a huge discount for the damage pump case, which they told me was strictly cosmetic and won't affect the performance of the pump AND Fins Reef will be providing a shorter collection cup at no cost to me. WHAT CUSTOMER SERVICE!!! After my plumbing is finished, I post some performance photos as soon as I have some to share.

04/07/2006, 07:16 PM	#10
UCanDoIt Moved On Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bay Area CA Posts: 2,647	Per Your Request. This is a fish only tank that I have on my new A200 on. I have a couple of medium size Angelfishes that are hiding.

04/09/2006, 07:04 AM	#14
UCanDoIt Moved On Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bay Area CA Posts: 2,647	Any other A200 H&S club member are more than welcome to post their performance photos here to give potential new owners more information before they make an educated decision on which skimmer to invest in.

04/25/2006, 05:26 PM	#16
DirtySouth056 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Miami, Fl Posts: 275	Nice post! I wish other's would post pics of their A200's, and how they are setup. Thanks for the pm's I'm in contact w/ Ed.

04/29/2006, 04:03 AM	#17
UCanDoIt Moved On Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bay Area CA Posts: 2,647	In response to question by email about details on the gravity feed. If you are going to gravity feed from the tank's overflow box, you need the pressure to be constant going to the skimmer, so the greatest waterflow should be directed straight towards the skimmer and then tailored back by a ball or gate valve. You also need a T fitting before the ball or gate valve, so all the excess surging and gurgling that goes on with overflows empties out on the side of the T into the sump. Here's a sketch that my aquarium maintenance person did for me when he setup my tank. My gravity feed in an earlier photo is setup exactly like this.

05/02/2006, 02:20 AM	#18
Reefrookie2006 Moved On Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Orange County Posts: 247	Here is the A200 1260 skimmer I just got today...I'm still waiting for a 190g LeeMar Starfire tank.

05/02/2006, 10:23 AM	#21
Reefrookie2006 Moved On Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Orange County Posts: 247	I got it. Thanks for the information.

05/03/2006, 08:28 AM	#22
CloWn SpaWn Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: az, is it me or is summer year round? Posts: 824	UCanDoIt: where did you pick up the air valve at? trying to get my skimmer set, but i didn't a get you air valve. and what is the best way to tell how much flow you got going in to the skimmer? i set it up just like your pic.

05/03/2006, 01:13 PM	#24
UCanDoIt Moved On Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Bay Area CA Posts: 2,647	CloWn SpaWn, I see you bought a A150 from DRZL-sauras. Post some photos on Jim's A150 thread when you get it up & running. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...hreadid=788562

05/03/2006, 01:30 PM	#25
CloWn SpaWn Registered Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: az, is it me or is summer year round? Posts: 824	okay, i am to lazy to look. what a air meters for. and i did buy his skimmer, but no air clamp with it. cant take pics right now cause my money is going in to my tank and i want a better camera then a kodak.