At least you got skimmate. It never worked for me at all. I got the same unhelpful reply from Royal Exclusiv. I get very little micro bubbles but I also never got foam.
So it seems like the Royal Exclusiv skimmers must be perfectly matched to the right setup (filter/fish load/equipment/sump space) to function properly. As I can not accommodate the skimmer, I will see if I can still return it.
@@joshdoesreefing7241 Hey Josh. This is my favourite skimmer and the best one I have owned to date. I have not had one single issue since I started using it. I plugged it in, did the 24 hour break in and it just works! Solid build and a work horse. I can't comment on customer service as I have never had to contact them. Hope this helps. :)
I am 100% certain there is nothing wrong with the skimmer. The motor and impeller are the same ones we?ve used in these skimmers for months now. I know from many years of experience that these skimmer will produce microbubbles in the absence of a load. Also, having the effluent right next to the return pump weir like you do is never a good thing. The return section is the highest flow area of the sump and having the effuent right next to it will draw bubbles out of the skimmers effuent which is why I suggested rotating the skimmer. That said, if you put it on your friends tank and let it run for an week to break in again after removing it from your system, I?d bet it will be fine. At least if he has a truly heavy bioload. FWIW, a heavy bioload is 1/2? of fish per display gallon though you certainly don?t need 100 inches of fish to keep this skimmer happy which would be the case in a heavy load 200 gallon display. This skimmer will need around 35-40? of fish without a fleece filter to remain consistent and to insure the minimal amount of microbubbles. With a fleece filter you need an even heavier load because the fleece filter removes 50-90% of the solids before they ever become dissolved solids which means the skimmer will not produce foam. It will only produce bubbles unless there is a far heavier load. ~Royal Exclusiv
Hey Josh, I bought the exact same skimmer from BRS. I have not had am problem with it so far, however, while I was watching your video, I noticed your water level in the skimmer compartment and compared it to mine. The level in your sump seems to be quite a bit lower than mine. If you still have this skimmer, I would try and raise the water level in the skimmer chamber to a depth of 9 3/4". I also have the trigger systems sump, mine is a (39") w/ socks. Try it, you have nothing to lose.
Thanks for the comment and information! I may try that. Unlike most skimmers I have owned that have a more narrow water level range, I think the listed acceptable range for this one is much broader. But as you said, it couldn’t hurt to try. I can’t remember if mine is set to 8.5 or 9.0 from when it was dialed in with the reef octopus.
I think I am going to send it back since BRS is offering to do so. I emailed Royal Exclusiv once more just to see what they say. I stated that I have turned the pump down to the lowest setting as suggested and still getting the same result. So looking for recommendations. I want the best skimmer I can get of course. Looking at Reef Octo Elite space saver and the NYOS. Any thoughts?
