dieseldaisy
New member
Curious on how everyone sets up their skimmers. Please post pictures of you skimmer setups!
How do you set up a skimmer?? Wet dry??
- Thread starter dieseldaisy
- Start date
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
for those unaware
for those unaware
The terms "wet" and "dry" are referring to the skimmate's appearance/density/color/viscosity which is a direct result of how high water in the neck of the skimmer is maintained.
You should always set up a skimmer to run DRY at first. Keep water level low in neck and slowly raise it from there over a period of days.
ONLY after you've THOROUGHLY learned the "ins" and "outs" / ups and downs of YOUR skimmer should you attempt to run a skimmer "wet"- and it should be run "wet" only with great caution cuz you can possibly drain your aquarium and flood your house.
for those unaware
The terms "wet" and "dry" are referring to the skimmate's appearance/density/color/viscosity which is a direct result of how high water in the neck of the skimmer is maintained.
You should always set up a skimmer to run DRY at first. Keep water level low in neck and slowly raise it from there over a period of days.
ONLY after you've THOROUGHLY learned the "ins" and "outs" / ups and downs of YOUR skimmer should you attempt to run a skimmer "wet"- and it should be run "wet" only with great caution cuz you can possibly drain your aquarium and flood your house.
dieseldaisy
New member
Do you have any pictures of your skimate
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
I don't think I do. A picture of skimmate is fairly meaningless in my opinion and I usually have a good laugh at the threads showing pix of skimmate. This is just my opinion. Pictures of skimmate are worthless. The appearance of skimmate varies with each hour of the day. Right after a feeding it might look red or green and flat. In the early morning it might be really frothy and white/dry.
Additionally, my skimmate does not collect in the skimmer cup- it drains immediately from the cup to a wash basin so it's difficult to get any worthwhile pic.
I would suggest running the water in a skimmer's neck one inch below the top edge just in case something goes amok.
It's not unusual for a newly setup reef aquarium and/or skimmer to NOT produce much skimmate. Make sure SG is at 1.026 for maximum skimming benefits.
EllieSuz
Premium Member
There's not many people whose opinions I value more highly than Gary's, but I'll show you my skimmate anyway:
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk179/EllieSuz/Home Aquarium/2013-01-02171945.jpg
I do agree with Gary that a picture of one person's skimmate has little to do with another's. The variables include the brand and size of the skimmer, the bio-load of the tank, the number and amount of feedings, etc.
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk179/EllieSuz/Home Aquarium/2013-01-02171945.jpg
I do agree with Gary that a picture of one person's skimmate has little to do with another's. The variables include the brand and size of the skimmer, the bio-load of the tank, the number and amount of feedings, etc.
dieseldaisy
New member
Would running it lower cause any issue? I believe it is lower and I get a drier froth like skim mate . I had it higher and every time I cried a water change it would go crazy same when I fed. I guess I'm looking for that perfect setting and don't know how to achieve it.thanks everyone for the help
dieseldaisy
New member
Ellie, my skim mate is no where near as dark as yours nor does it ever collect froth inside the cup as yours does. How long does urs take to fill up like that mine would take prob two weeks currently.
EllieSuz
Premium Member
That's probably a three or four day collection. I have a larger skimmer than my tank requires because I've been fighting a very stubborn Cyano outbreak. My theory was go big or go home, so you really can't compare the productivity of my skimmer with yours. The water level shouldn't affect the quantity or "thickness" of skimmate. You should experiment with adjusting your skimmer until you find just the right level and make sure it sits in the recommended water level.
