Reef Octopus hob 1000

[paronaram]

Hello All,

I setup a 30 gallon shallow reef, and for sump I used 20G high with kit from fleaBay. Tank was running for two weeks, and two days ago I added Reef Octopus hob 1000 on that sump.
Almost 3 days, going strong cup was adjusted many times, and I think still need to be fine tuned. I have about half cup of light yellow crappy water.
I've read that skimmer need to break-in, but this looks like its producing something on the 3rd day

Question; Skimmer helps with removing organic waste, what parameter I can test in the tank before and after to see if skimmer really works?

Thank you
Aram


MY Setup

 

[paronaram]

Anybody ?

 

[ReefsandGeeks]

So it's not a direct parameter you can read. The best you can do is measure your nitrates and determine over time how fast they are accumulating in your system before you use a protein skimmer. Then you can do the same with the skimmer running and see how fast nitrates build up. They should build up more slowly with the skimming. You could also do the same with phosphates, but I believe nitrates are more reliable to measure as phosphates are consumed/produced more erratically than nitrates.

 

[ReefsandGeeks]

A skimmer will also help oxygenate the water, and allow you to carbon dose (vinegar/vodka) in order to drop your nitrates and phosphates down to undetectable. Can't do that without a skimmer.

 

[paronaram]

Thanks!

 

[jstack]

leave the cup at the marker for a month or so let it break in leave the silencer on it. after it breaks in go ahead and add the t-valve and start lowering the cup get a fine tuned skim this is about 5 days of dry skim very tasty stuff