Skimmer Q&A Thread

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14854042#post14854042 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tracey2
Thanks so much for your help, can you also tell me where to set the water level?
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Well I ran mine just below the neck of the skimmer give or tank a little. start about a inch below the neck and see how you like that and go from there. should be a pretty good starting point.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14854173#post14854173 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by sundancer
Sorry for butting in but here's a new question: What is the difference between the quality of air being drawn in by a venturi vs. air being pumped in by means of a dedicated air pump like a Danner pond pump? For instance if I hook up an air pump to the venturi intake line can I increase fine bubble production or will I just make a bunch of gurgling noises?
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Well, you have to be careful that you dont push in to much air. When you let the pump pull it in through a venturi it will pull what it can. You can cavitate the pump if you are not careful and you can push more than the skimmer can handle. ITs not a good practice to do this on the pump. the old school way of skimming used air pumps and air stones. :)
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14855373#post14855373 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mojo~
Well I ran mine just below the neck of the skimmer give or tank a little. start about a inch below the neck and see how you like that and go from there. should be a pretty good starting point.
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Sorry, this is my first skimmer. An inch below the bottom of the neck? I had the bubbles all the way up in the cup area of the neck. When you empty the cup, do you shut off the skimmer or is it ok that the water spills out of the base into the sump? Thanks for your help
 
scented candles are OUTLAWED in my house, same with Scented detergents and fabric softener.

if you fart near your tank that fart will bond with your tank, if you can smell it near your tank its in the water...

your nose works by sensing particles of something attached to the air, those particles all go into the tank, sometimes whats in the air can affect skimmer performance.

my tank is only 15 feet from my kitchen and when the oven smokes my skimmer shuts down..
 
tracey now water levels and bubble breaking level are different. you can see as it breaks in the water level. THe bubbles will build on top. But I set the water level starting an inch below the neck. The bubbles will be breaking higher than that. as it starts to kick in the foam will build and overflow into the cup. But make very slight adjustments to the skimmer when you make them. If this is your first skimmer then you are ruined for life. lol. There isnt much room for improvement. WEll good luck and if ytou have any questions feel free to ask.
 
using the large pinwheel there is no way to tell where the water ends and foam begins, i only have the bubble break line to work with.

are you still running the small wheel Mojo?
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14855610#post14855610 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mojo~
tracey now water levels and bubble breaking level are different. you can see as it breaks in the water level. THe bubbles will build on top. But I set the water level starting an inch below the neck. The bubbles will be breaking higher than that. as it starts to kick in the foam will build and overflow into the cup. But make very slight adjustments to the skimmer when you make them. If this is your first skimmer then you are ruined for life. lol. There isnt much room for improvement. WEll good luck and if ytou have any questions feel free to ask.
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Thanks
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14855373#post14855373 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by mojo~
Well I ran mine just below the neck of the skimmer give or tank a little. start about a inch below the neck and see how you like that and go from there. should be a pretty good starting point.
Click to expand...

i run mine at the base of the collection cup or higher.

start by setting it just below the base of the cup and go from there.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14855696#post14855696 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GSMguy
i run mine at the base of the collection cup or higher.

start by setting it just below the base of the cup and go from there.
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How do you avoid the dirty foamy stuff from getting into the sump when you empty cup.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14856120#post14856120 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Tracey2
How do you avoid the dirty foamy stuff from getting into the sump when you empty cup.
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I open the wedge pipe all the way, when I replace the cup I close it slowly over a minute or 2 usually It starts skimming right away after cleaning.
 
OK, Skimmer freaked out again!
This time at 2:23 am! I fell asleep on the couch watching TV (wife turned TV off) At 2:23 am I woke up to the hissing sound that the top off system makes when it's adding a lot of water!
It was foaming like crazy! but I got to it before it dumped every thing back in the water and just unpugged it and went to bed!
This morning I dumped collection cup and plugged it back in and it went nuts right away, so I turned it down about 1/8 turn. Now it has the right look to it. The foam is really frothy looking. The pump does not seem as loud! I wonder if the pump is just breaking in?
I need to settle down and wait! Skimmer is brand new. I know the rules!
"Nothing good happens fast in saltwater"
 
I've cut it back a couple of times now. I Keep thinking OK I've got it this time!
I'm at work now so I have the wife at home checking on it!
"That's the bubbling thingy right?"
It's going to be a long day! :)
 
I heard it takes at least a month before the octo/max skimmers are fully broken in, I know it takes at least a week to break in a new pinwheel on my allready broken in sicce powered skimmer.

Skim dry for another couple weeks.
 
My K-2 at 48hrs. its been up and running for a little over a week. still breaking in.

IMG_2088.jpg
 
What would you recommend for a HOB skimmer for a 75? I don't really have room for a sump so I would prefer to go HOB. What is your preference among these skimmers? Right now the tank is lightly stocked but will be medium - heavy stocked down the road.
 
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