help tuning protein skimmer

[BradsOcean]

I have a bak pak cyclone skimmer and filter and I was reading that you can collect more skum if you tune it right. Can anybody tell me how to tune my skimmer. Thanks alot

 

[Gundo5000]

Basically play with the amount of air being sucked into the pump. The more air, usually the better. More bubbles the better too.

 

[Andrew]

Less air being pulled into the pump= lower water level
More air being pulled into the pump= higher water level


^ I have experience with this from my old Jebo skimmer I got years ago.

 

[BradsOcean]

I dont know what you are talking about. I have a CPR bak pak bio-filter Cyclone. I dont see any air being sucked into the pump. I dont have the one with that extra hose thing, if that's what you are talking about.

 

[Andrew]

You said it was a skimmer right? How is there not air being pulled into the pump? Sometimes the air intake will come after the pump.... I also have no idea what "an extra hose thing" is.

 

[Gundo5000]

A pic would help. Unfamiliar with your skimmer.

 

[Andrew]

Does your skimmer look like this?

 

[BradsOcean]

sorry, I cant seem to get a pic on but can you please go to google-images and type bak pak cyclone and on some of the pics that will pop up there will be a hose from the pump to the top of the skimmer and on some there wont be a hose. Mine is the one without the hose.

 

[BradsOcean]

yes it looks like that but without that hose from the pump

 

[Andrew]

So there aren't any bubbles entering the skimmer body? That would be the main problem. Attach the airline tubing like shown to the skimmer and than you will get the "cyclone" effect. The bubbles is what collects the dirt and filters the water. Example:

 

[Gundo5000]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9277159#post9277159 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by amoryodio
yes it looks like that but without that hose from the pump

Than its really not working. You need to get some air pump tubing from the lfs and attach it so you can draw air into the skimmer.

Do you even have the black piece thats attached to the intake of the pump. If not you will need to get one for this to work correctly.

 

[BradsOcean]

thank you so much. I have had my tank cycled for a month now without that skimmer working apparently. The lfs people said I cant get coral for a month after it has cycled. Do I need to wait longer now since my skimmer hasnt been working?

 

[Andrew]

Yes. Don't just go adding corals and fish right away. 98% of the time, chain fish stores are wrong. How did you start your tank cycle? Did you test the water levels to assure a cycle took place? You need to do ALOT of reading on saltwater tanks before you should add any fish or corals to your tank. it's not as simple as it may seem.

 

[Gundo5000]

I'd wait at least a month to add corals, preferably longer. Id also invest in salifert test kits and test your own params. Many lfs just want to sell things and will tell you your water is A OK.

 

[ConcreteReefer]

amoryodio-

Your on the right track, just be patient and ask questions.
Your going to learn a lot more here (reefcentral) than at your LFS, I sure have.

patience