Protein Skimmer Question

[mattyg18]

I added a aqua remora urchin skimmer to my sump a few days ago and within a few minutes it was working great. The following day the collection cup was filled and I emptied it out and rinsed it out. I noticed the rubber gasket was pretty dry and the lid to the collection cup was sticking to the cup. I was concerned the gasket was going to crack so I put some vaseline on the gasket and some vaseline on the rim of the lid. After firing up the protein skimmer again it doesn't seem to be producing the same amount of bubbles as it was previously. It is still making bubbles but hardly coming out of the top of the tube.

I should mention this is a newly cycled tank and I only have a small stick with a few colony polyps on it as of now. No fish yet. Also the skimmer is previously owned but seems to be in excellent condition.

Is this normal? Is it possible that the vaseline that I added effected the functionality of the the skimmer? I'm just not sure. I did read in the manual that you should keep that gasket lubricated so it does not crack.

Any help on this is appreciated!!

 

[downbeach]

It would be best if you used a silicone lubricant for any O rings, rubber gaskets being used in your system.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=9708

 

[mattyg18]

So do you think the Vaseline had a detrimental effect on the skimmer? Should I try to remove as much of it as I can?

 

[downbeach]

Vaseline is insoluble in water, so with reasonable use, I don't think it would be a problem in your system, but it may have an adverse affect on your O rings and/or gaskets, causing them to swell and fail. Leslie's, makes a pool and spa lubricant that works well.

 

[mystersyster]

Something people will never tell you about protein skimmers, they aren't a perfect peice of technology. Everytime I clean out my collection cup, it takes the better part of a day to start collecting the way it had been, sometimes 2 days. This is in an established system. Keep in mind how old your tank is, it might take longer. Don't fret! "Protein" will be skimmed when enough is collected again.

 

[Treasure Coast]

What was said above, also you can restrict or open the outflow/inflow from the skimmer to raise or lower the bubble height. Water levels in the sump also play a part in bubble height. If you need to make adjustments use a bucket to run the drain line from the skimmer until you get it dialed into the correct height, this way you won't be emptying the collection cup while trying to figure out the settings.

 

[Sully72]

You need to dial down your skimmer if its filling up in a day. Skimmers tank at least 2 to 3 weeks to get broken in.

 

[mattyg18]

The cup is actually starting to fill up again slowly. For some reason when I first put it on it started bubbling like crazy. Maybe the cup height was too low. Other than the o ring I don't think there are any other adjustments that can be made on this skimmer. I did raise the cup a little and I'm watching it now. This is my first rodeo with a protein skimmer so not quite sure what to expect.

 

[Treasure Coast]

The cup is actually starting to fill up again slowly. For some reason when I first put it on it started bubbling like crazy. Maybe the cup height was too low. Other than the o ring I don't think there are any other adjustments that can be made on this skimmer. I did raise the cup a little and I'm watching it now. This is my first rodeo with a protein skimmer so not quite sure what to expect.

Yea, looks like the adjustment on your model is raising and lowering the cup height. Simple skimmer, just keep a eye on it for a couple of days until you have it where it produces best.

 

[mattyg18]

The cup was about half filled tonight. I had to empty it out because I installed a gfo reactor and had to run the hose right next to it. I'm working in close quarters. After the reactor was up and running I plugged in the skimmer and it started bubbling like crazy. Do you think that had anything to do with the reactor?

 

[nereefpat]

So what is the skimmer filling up with? Ideally, skimmate should be thick, black, nasty crud.

If it's clear instead of very brown/black, you need to adjust it somehow.

 

[mattyg18]

the collection cup is filling up with a green nasty colored water and when I empty it out theres green stuff caked to the side of the cup that i've been wiping out with a paper towel.

 

[nereefpat]

Good. Sounds like it's doing its thing. Not sure about the gfo, as I don't run the stuff