How do I tune my ER RS100?

[jdircksen]

The instructions just say to adjust the riser to the desired amount of bubbles. This is my first skimmer so I don't know what that means. I left the riser in its lowest position and the cup filled up with water overnight. Skimmer is sitting in about 7" of water.

Thanks

 

[Jim_S]

If the cup filled overnight, there may be something in the water column causing exessive foaming (i.e. water conditioner, frag epoxy etc.). With the riser all the way down, the water should be VERY low in the skimmer neck. You can use an airtap to lower the air intake while the skimmer breaks in, and or the stuff in your water is removed

IMO, and the way I run my ER, I start the water level about 1.5-2" from the TOP of the riser tube.

Your skimmer may take some time to break in, and until then, it will be very difficult to set the water level in the skimmer. This is stadard.

HTH

Jim

 

[jdircksen]

Thanks for the reply. I did put some conditioner in the water. Once the skimmer is broken in, how do I know how to set the level of the water? What am I looking for as far as quality/quantity of the skimmate?

 

[Jim_S]

If you use conditioner, the only brand that I have found that will not cause your skimmer to go crazy is seachem PRIME. Everything else is no good for the ol' skimmer.

Before the skimmer will start to produce any consistant foam, it must break in. This process is the removing of residual oils left over from production, and the accumulation of a layer of slime that builds up inside the skimmer.

After this has occured, you can effectivley set the skimmer's water level.

If you want dry, thick skimmate, start the water level very low in the neck.

If you want wet, thin skimmate, start the water level higher in the neck.

HTH

Jim

 

[jdircksen]

Sorry to keep bombarding you with questions - what is the advantage to dry vs wet skimmate?

 

[Jim_S]

No prob! Skimmers can be very frustrating at first. Questions are expected

Right now there is no evidence that shows one is better than the other.

Wet skimming will remove more water from your tank and you have to clean out the cup often.

Dry skimming is said to reduce the performance of the skimmer due to build up of skimmate in the neck.

For me, I do both. One week I'll run it wet. Then I'll clean the cup and run it dry the next.

But as far as which ones best? It's six one way and half a dozen the other as far as I'm concerned.

Jim

 

[Fishbulb2]

Another tip, as I have the RS100 also, is to use the air valve and set it to about 1 or 2 o'clock. So basically just cut the airvalve back a very little. It won't really have any effect on your air draw but it does seem to produce slightly finer bubbles. It should reduce a lot of noise too. Also the gatevalve mod is a great investment if you want finer tuning.
FB