Fluval PS1 Protein Skimmer

[StPatrick89]

I have a 40G breeder that I want to throw a protein skimmer onto. I was looking at the Fluval PS1. Was wondering if anyone has had any experience with that? Also, any suggestions for a skimmer for my tank size.

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

It makes for one heck of a paper weight! Broke 45 days in and never removed much.

 

[StPatrick89]

It makes for one heck of a paper weight! Broke 45 days in and never removed much.

Any suggestions on a hob?

 

[GHOSTLY]

Corallife protein skimmer built into the hob. I like it

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

I used this for about a month


Can't recommend it but its one less to consider. I have gone skimmerless since then and rely on my sump/fuge and a algae reactor.

 

[StPatrick89]

I used this for about a month


Can't recommend it but its one less to consider. I have gone skimmerless since then and rely on my sump/fuge and a algae reactor.

What are other great ways to remove nutrients?

 

[CryptoNautical]

I had one on a 30 Gal and it worked alright. Tuning the thing was a different story. Mine always ran wet skim. Like it would be dark brown, Just always wet.

 

[StPatrick89]

I had one on a 30 Gal and it worked alright. Tuning the thing was a different story. Mine always ran wet skim. Like it would be dark brown, Just always wet.

Does it matter that it was wet? I’m new sorry for the ignorant questions

 

[CryptoNautical]

Does it matter that it was wet? I’m new sorry for the ignorant questions

No you're all good. For me I didn't mind it I just had to empty the collection cup about 1 to 2 times a week. Plus I never saw any drops in my salinity.

I was honestly impressed with mine for the price it was. Yeah it was wet skim but the water was pretty Yellowish Brown, so it did its job.

I dont use it anymore do to moving to a refugium. But it was good at what it did.

From what I've read though is that they can be hit or miss which is a shame.

 

[StPatrick89]

No you're all good. For me I didn't mind it I just had to empty the collection cup about 1 to 2 times a week. Plus I never saw any drops in my salinity.

I was honestly impressed with mine for the price it was. Yeah it was wet skim but the water was pretty Yellowish Brown, so it did its job.

I dont use it anymore do to moving to a refugium. But it was good at what it did.

From what I've read though is that they can be hit or miss which is a shame.

Ok, yea I see them for a decent price and I can just go into the store to get. So how do I know I have a good skimmer?

 

[CryptoNautical]

Ok, yea I see them for a decent price and I can just go into the store to get. So how do I know I have a good skimmer?

I guess that comes down to you. To me a skimmer should remove organics from the water, by doing so this will turn the collection cup brown or a yellow tinge. My experience I tried to get the bubbles to pop right on the lip of the cup and just let it run. I'd give it a hour and check back to see if it was skimming anything and sure enough I was collecting brown crud. But sometimes I'd have to re-tune it and wait again. Eventually it would be at a good level and I'd leave it there.

One thing I would add, this is a in-tank skimmer so you have to maintain the water level you adjust the skimmer to. I used a ATO for this.

 

[StPatrick89]

I guess that comes down to you. To me a skimmer should remove organics from the water, by doing so this will turn the collection cup brown or a yellow tinge. My experience I tried to get the bubbles to pop right on the lip of the cup and just let it run. I'd give it a hour and check back to see if it was skimming anything and sure enough I was collecting brown crud. But sometimes I'd have to re-tune it and wait again. Eventually it would be at a good level and I'd leave it there.

One thing I would add, this is a in-tank skimmer so you have to maintain the water level you adjust the skimmer to. I used a ATO for this.

Okay, so the gathering or how well the skimmer puts that brown stuff in the cup is the measure of how well a skimmer works. Got you