My first protein skimmer...help?

[PVChick12]

So. . . I just hooked up my first protein skimmer, a Coralife Super Skimmer 65, to my 12 gal nano tank. . . I am not crazy its been done before, I swear. Anyways, I have never seen one of these things operating before, so I am not sure that I did this right. . . And after spilling about 10 gallons of water on my carpet, it has been up for about 2 hours now, the directions say it needs 24-72 hour "break in" period. First thing, I have a TON of micro bubbles, is this OK? Will these harm either my shrimp or my clown?Should I unplug the unit..? Second, so far, depending on how I adjust the valves, I either get a collection cup full of water, or nothing at all. . . . Any pointers for a n00b w/ protein skimmers, much appreciated! ;]

 

[TOURKID]

hey i have the same skimmer (45 gal tank) I was freaking out about it for about 3 days... been a perfect operator ever since.

1. microbubbles. they will be everywhere for a few days. I promise they go away. i dident believe it, thought i could 'fix' it. you just need to wait it out. when you clean/change your bubble chamber filters it'll happen agian but for only a few hours. i put an extra piece of filter in the bottom, it helps. i also cut quite a bit of the slinky type hose that go's in the bubble chamber

(note: after your microbubbles go away, blow off all the air bubbles stuck on your rocks with a turkey baster or no coraline algea will grow there)

2... you basicly wont get much skim in the first day or two. just make sure the water go's up in the funnel part about.. a half in or a lil less. you'll hafta fidget with the red controller for a lil while, but no use till its broke in. and once you have it right you should be good.

3. your knob thats in the water... leave it half closed for the three days, then open it all the way. you shouldent hafta touch it after that

whew.. and im a crappy typer.

other than that, just make sure your bubble chamer sticks out of the water a lil bit, and make sure your pump isent too deep and you'll be ok. but the three days really do matter lol

 

[TOURKID]

oh. ya. this still bugs me. every single time you stick your hand in the tank.. it'll stop working for HOURS. so make sure its worth it.

it'll also stop working after a water change. sometimes when i do a top off, it'll fill the cup with water. no idea why.
food effects it working to. but not much.

 

[bertoni]

Mine went throught the micro-bubble phase, too. I wouldn't worry about trying to get it to skim much until after break-in. Just try to keep it from flooding the carpteing, sigh. Mine didn't do that.

 

[PVChick12]

Haha, ok thanks for the input guys. . . . I will wait the 3 days out and get back to you, I hope you are both right! As for the microbubbles, they will not harm anything, correct? Ok, well I am going to go lay so more towels down in-case that thing goes ballistic again!

 

[PVChick12]

Oh yea...keep in mind the amounth of micro bubbles you had in your 45, concentrated into 12 gallons. . . Still harmless? Mk thankya!

 

[TOURKID]

mmm.. i would say harmless. I thought they could hurt anemones so i posted alot of questions about bubbles. everyone told me they are ok.... but ya.. i bet it looks like 1 giant bubble cyclone. It really bothered me too.