Skimmer help for a n00b?

[SkiFletch]

As a side thread to my cyano battle I wanted to ask you guys about protein skimming. As it seems that my problem is unlikely nitrates or phosphates (both 0) most people have pointed me towards dissolved organics. Obvious solution there is a protein skimmer, which I have, a seaclone 100. My skimmer is mounted in the first chamber of my sump, but I want to be sure its operating correctly. About once per two days I choose to empty the collection cup and whats in there is a very low-viscosity yellow (with a hint of brown) liquid that stinks somethin fierce. There is also a nice extremely viscous brown film around the tip of the cup that washes off with some water.

When the skimmer is in operation, my water level in the skimmer is about 1.5" below the top of the cup. There are a lot of foaming bubbles which are similar to that yellow-brown liquid in color forming a froth, the top of which remains about 0.75" below the lip of the cup. Very infrequently, pubbles froth all the way up to the edge of the cup and burst. My venturi inlet is set to nearly wide open and there are a ton of microbubbles in the reaction chamber.

Does this sound like a properly operating skimmer to you? Should I use the restricting outlet valve to raise the water level in the cup and have the edge of the "froth" be a little bit closer to the top lip of the cup? And does that liquid sound like the kind of stuff that I should be pulling? If you guys want me to describe the smell I'll go back for another waft

Thanks for your help,
Fletch

 

[chrisguy]

What you are currently doing sounds like dry skimming as it's often called. Wet skimming usually involves more liquid, but it's generally considered to be better at removing DOC. You can try to raise the water level a little and monitor the results.

 

[SkiFletch]

Thanks Chris. When wet skimming, should I see a different color to the skimmate, or should I just get more of it per day?

 

[nwrogers]

It will look like tea...

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

Re: Skimmer help for a n00b?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7305263#post7305263 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SkiFletch
As a side thread to my cyano battle I wanted to ask you guys about protein skimming. As it seems that my problem is unlikely nitrates or phosphates (both 0)

Hey Fletch- don't believe the results of your phosphate test unless you have the really expensive ($100) Merck test kit. Low PO4 levels (that are below detectable levels of most hobbyist phosphate test kits) can cause nuisance algae blooms in a brightly lit reef aquarium.
This is a very common problem.

 

[SkiFletch]

Heh, thanks for the tip Gary. You mean to tell me that a cheap product doesnt work very well ... I dont believe you

Sarcasm aside, thats an excellent point, hence i'm running phosphate remover anyways