Adequate Explanation Needed on Skimming and My Hand!

[MatthewLaw]

Greetings All- While my dogface puffer is probably the most personable fish I have had to date, he is a messy eater and forgetful of food that he has not eaten. He takes a bit of something and whatever doesnt fit in his mouth drifts away and is forgotten!

So during feeding time I sometimes put my hand in the tank and fetch the uneaten food for his consumption, otherwise it may rot, etc...

I notice about 10 minutes after i put my hand in, my skimmer foam production great drops. 90 minutes later the skimmer is back producing a lot of foam.

So I can only assume it has to do with my hand/skin, which I have read is not uncommon. I make sure to VERY VERY thoroughly wash my hands before feeding but what is it about my skin that causes the skim to drop and then reappear?

 

[RicksReefs]

the body oils, etc. on your hands reduce the surface tension of the water, and bubbles don't stay together as long because of it.

 

[echo29]

Rick ...that's interesting. I put a new foam block (bubble diffuser) in my sump and since the (1 week ago) my skimmer production has dropped significantly. Basically, it just simmers with no foam production. Since I never had this problem before, I assume this is being caused by the new foam block?

 

[MatthewLaw]

intereting..thanks for the explanation

 

[MatthewLaw]

would it matter if i wore a latex glove while putting my hands in the water? then to take it off use a paper towel so the oils from the other hand dont get on the glove??

 

[jerryz]

The big question is. Do the skimmer production reduction impact the overall health of your tank? If not then What exactly are you concerned about? I've also noticed the same result from certain types of food I use. SHould I not feed them high quality food because it does this?

 

[MatthewLaw]

i was thinking that too... when i break the surface wtih the oil's of my hand and reduce production of skim, then essentially is that 'gunk' just sitting in the skimmer?

BUT when the surface is restored does ALL the stuff get skimmed out in the foam?

almost likea queue of poo that is going to be pulled out...

 

[THE ROOK]

My skimmer stops producing for 4-5 hours from feeding PE Mysis. I guess they have lots of oils due to being whole & flash frozen.

 

[RicksReefs]

ya, basically, until the added oils, protiens, phosphates, etc. get mixed into the water, the water tension is 'looser' and foam production goes way down, once things get mixed in, a good skimmer will take it out when it ramps back up. usually within an hour or two.

if you sweat the foam reduction everytime you stick your hands in, feed, etc.. you'll go insane and start to think your skimmers a PITA. once you get your skimmer dialed in and producing, little burps like these should be ignored.

 

[MatthewLaw]

thats what i fugred since foam production only ceases for about 90 minutes after i put my hand in.

thanks for your help!

 

[RicksReefs]

:thumbsup: have fun.

 

[jbird69]

Very interesting thread