Skimmate with LR during cycling?!

[cabrego]

Hey guys, I was just wondering if I should be expecting much skimmate in my 90 gallon that is cycling right now. It has at least 60 lbs of live rock in it. No livestock.

My skimmer is a Euro Reef RS 135. It has been running on it for a few weeks, and I haven't got any skimmate yet. The skimmer isn't brand new. So I know it's not a break in period problem.

I have tried all kinds of variations in the water flow, but no luck. I am starting to think maybe I just don't have enough load to see anything.

 

[Jflip2002]

I dont think youre going to get much skimmate without live stock. If the rock is totally live, and theres no die off, you dont get anything.

 

[mat167]

Thats the exact skimmer I have. It's really easy to set up and skims at basically any setting, so if you're not getting any collection I'd say there really is nothing to collect.

 

[cabrego]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14669896#post14669896 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mat167
Thats the exact skimmer I have. It's really easy to set up and skims at basically any setting, so if you're not getting any collection I'd say there really is nothing to collect.

Ok good, i hope that is true.


Can you describe how you adjust your? For example, my technique is to run mine with out the air adjuster and I adjust the riser tube to tune it. I try to adjust the riser tube so that the lvl is at the bottom of the collection cup.

 

[mat167]

Normally after I turn it back on after cleaning, I open the riser all the way and open the air valve all the way. Then I use the riser to bring the water level about 1/2" below the collection cup, and then bring it up slightly with the air valve. I keep mine adjusted at about the bottom of the collection cup like yours. Its an awesome skimmer, I'm real happy with mine. Might want to watch out for start up problems though, some people's don't start properly and you have to shake them or something. Fortunately mine hasn't done this yet...

 

[cabrego]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14670286#post14670286 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mat167
Normally after I turn it back on after cleaning, I open the riser all the way and open the air valve all the way. Then I use the riser to bring the water level about 1/2" below the collection cup, and then bring it up slightly with the air valve. I keep mine adjusted at about the bottom of the collection cup like yours. Its an awesome skimmer, I'm real happy with mine. Might want to watch out for start up problems though, some people's don't start properly and you have to shake them or something. Fortunately mine hasn't done this yet...

I have had a problem with start ups, usually air becomes trapped in the pump some how and I have to blow into the air line to purge it. If I do not do this, the pump will vibrate and work properly.

Thanks for the info.

 

[RokleM]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14669876#post14669876 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Jflip2002
I dont think youre going to get much skimmate without live stock. If the rock is totally live, and theres no die off, you dont get anything.

Disagree for the most part. Most "live" rock is mostly dry shipped over extended periods. There WILL be significant die off already by the time it gets to you. You will likely have a pretty decent amount of skimmate that is generated during the break in period. No, it won't be as massive as feeding a bunch of fish, but it will be existent.

The few exceptions are live rock purchased via a local vendor, local hobbiest out of their tanks, or rock you've already cured for extended period in another container.

 

[cabrego]

Thanks for the input, most of the live rock has been in the tank for quiet a while. And it was all purchased locally.

I do agree, that even under these circumstances, i am suprised that I have not found a nice splot that will pull something worth while out of the water.