what does skiiming wet mean

[BrentH]

see alot of people talking about heavy skimming or skimming real wet
sorry guys just like to know what this means exactly?

 

[alexk3954]

I am new to the hobby, but I am pretty sure that it means you lower the collection cup of your protein skimmer so that the skimmate is more watery than foamy. It gets more organics out of the water, but you need to clean the collection cup more often.

 

[BrentH]

thank you

 

[romunov]

If you're skimming wet, that means the bubbles are bigger - which means, compared to more numerous small bubbles, smaller surface area. How can that take out more organics?

 

[reefnetworth]

a skimer work by pushing unwanted nutrients to the surface of the bubbles before they break down into nitrites, ammonia, and eventually nitrates. an established tank will usually get the problem before the nitrates ever have a chance. due to bacteria (bio) in tank. wet skimming usually comes from new skimmers and new tanks. it has watery appearence and light green color. as the algae and unused nutrients start to grow its pushed to the top and into the colection cup. when tank is more established and starts getting balanced it will turn dark green, brown and almost black looking. that is if its a good skimmer. REEF-ON!!!

 

[MiddletonMark]

Wet skimming depends on the skimmer and the stocking - but some consider it a form of `aggressive skimming' to combat nutrient issues.

The thought is that while collecting some extra liquid, you are pulling a little more waste product.

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7319059#post7319059 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by romunov
If you're skimming wet, that means the bubbles are bigger - which means, compared to more numerous small bubbles, smaller surface area. How can that take out more organics?

Skimming wet doesn't require changing the bubble size at all [on my beckett] it just means moving the riser higher. Same bubble size, just more liquid skimmed out with the skimmate.

The difference in how the skimer is run, IME, is solely in the water level in it. Instead of allowing the foam to dry - it is pushed over the top while still having a little more water than if going for concentrated dry foam. Same foam, though.