Stargate water level

[cafedelmar]

So I finally received my Stargate and took it for a test drive yesterday using Nakhla Double Apple, the only shisha around. I've noticed a couple things. One, I barely got any smoke from it, I used two layers of foil and two quick light Sultan Japanese coals (they have silver lining). Any idea why this could be? Maybe I didn't include enough actual Ma'assel. The coals also kinda smelt like mushrooms, and when I was smoking I got absolutely NO apple taste, but I did get a tad bit of what the smell of the coals was.
Next I noticed that the water really flies around in the base, and a lot of the time gets into the pipe. It's kinda hard to see inside, so I don't know how far to fill it up.
Anyone have suggestions? I did a search and couldn't really find anything in old topics

[tjt486]

Verify that the check ball is seated in the purge valve.  The water level works well for me when i fill it to the plexiglass line.  Were the coals lit well? they should be glowing all around.

[cafedelmar]

Well I'll keep experimenting. The coals are hard to light all around, I'll try putting them in a small mettle dish then putting that on the stove next time I use it.
I think it just needs to be broken in a bit. The bottom of the head isn't a perfect circle, so I have to play around with the grommet to make sure its air tight. As you mentioned, the ball bearing was a bit tight too, but that seems to be better now.
As for the water level, I'll try the glass line. I have it about a half cm above right now, and I keep getting a little water in the hose.  Not much, but enough that I can hear it.

[yashman19]

I would actually go a centimeter or two below the plexiglass line. This
works well for me. Also, try giving only one foil a go. I've never had
a need for using two pieces with any of my hookahs. Just use one foil,
and if you use two japanese coals, just keep them spread apart from
each other as best you can. Keep them always on opposite ends of each
other.

Also, is this your first hookah? Is the Stargate the first hookah you
ever learned on? Or do you have experience managing other hookahs? I
manage my Stargate exactly the sams as I do with my other egyptians,
and the smoking experience is fine. The only thing that is tricky with
the Stargate is the water level. Try using ice with the water. Most of
the time, the ice will break the splashes from the bubbling. And simply
try out different water levels. Like I said earlier, I keep my water
level roughly a tad below the plexiglass line.

[HAKOOH]

I have a stargate and the water level needs to be really low. It only
needs to be about half an inch above the bottom of the stem. 

[cafedelmar]

Thanks guys. I think it was partly the base of the head too, but I have that fixed now. I'll have to reduce the amount of water, maybe add a bit of ice. Hopefully it will be better now, and hopefully I'll be able to get my hands or some more flavours soon!

[HookahDuck]

I fill right to the line, and with ice- I hardly ever get any water in the hose.