Hob Protein Skimmer

[Mickie]

Hi!

I just did a big water change in my 60 gallon (my first bigger one @ 30%). I have a Hob protein skimmer that I turned off while doing the WC.

Is it normal to have to readjust the protein skimmer's water level after a large WC?

And is it normal for it to have reduced bubbles at the top after a large WC? ( I'm assuming here since my bioload and other proteins and crap changed, there won't be as much foam/bubbles. )

Tia!

 

[Diesel]

Hi!

I just did a big water change in my 60 gallon (my first bigger one @ 30%). I have a Hob protein skimmer that I turned off while doing the WC.

Is it normal to have to readjust the protein skimmer's water level after a large WC?

And is it normal for it to have reduced bubbles at the top after a large WC? ( I'm assuming here since my bioload and other proteins and crap changed, there won't be as much foam/bubbles. )

Tia!

You are correct.
Just let it be on the settings before the water change as it will pick up the same level once it start pulling stuff out again.
You have a picture of your tank?

 

[Mickie]

You are correct.
Just let it be on the settings before the water change as it will pick up the same level once it start pulling stuff out again.
You have a picture of your tank?

Crap. I changed the settings, haha. Should I change it back? I know the approximate point.

 

[Diesel]

Good looking tank :)

Try to get it as close as possible with some tweaking and you'll be fine.
How long do you have your tank running?

 

[Mickie]

Good looking tank :)

Try to get it as close as possible with some tweaking and you'll be fine.
How long do you have your tank running?

Thanks! I'll adjust it back, I was pretty much dry skimming anyway.

It's looking a lot better than it was. It's done cycling and just got out of its ***** "imma grow every algae known to man" phase. It's been almost 3 months now...although with some Ill advice from my LFS, I had fish before I probably was supposed to...and my LEDs were on too soon contributing to some algae issues as well.

Growing pains. Ha.

 

[Diesel]

You do fine.
Just go slow and if you thing that's to fast for you slow down even more.
Only bad things happen fast in this hobby ;)

Did you start a build thread?.........https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/large-aquariums-180g.322/
It ain't to late yet you know ;)

 

[Mickie]

You do fine.
Just go slow and if you thing that's to fast for you slow down even more.
Only bad things happen fast in this hobby ;)

Did you start a build thread?.........https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/large-aquariums-180g.322/
It ain't to late yet you know ;)

Yeah, I've figured that one out the hard way lol.

I didn't! But I saved all progress pictures. Lol. I'll have to do one.

Thank you!

 

[Diesel]

Yeah, I've figured that one out the hard way lol.

I didn't! But I saved all progress pictures. Lol. I'll have to do one.

Thank you!

It will be fun and you data base the progress of your tank.
Many ppl will chime in and will give you advice to be successful as us all.

 

[Mickie]

Okay...so looking at my skimmer again, it's making a "chugging" noise...should I reprime it?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Crap. I changed the settings, haha. Should I change it back? I know the approximate point.

Hey thats looking great! Was that the bryo bomb?

And ya sounds like it's stuck.

 

[Mickie]

Hey thats looking great! Was that the bryo bomb?

And ya sounds like it's stuck.

Yeah it was stuck, also water got into the air intake tube. Hoorayyy....

Yup! That was the bryopsis vomit tank. Lol.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Yeah it was stuck, also water got into the air intake tube. Hoorayyy....

Yup! That was the bryopsis vomit tank. Lol.

Nice work!

 

[Mickie]

Thank you! It's finally on the mend..jeesh. It was bryopsis and every algae possible all at the same time. It was insane.

I decided to add purigen and phosguard to my filter as well. The month long no water change increased my nitrates a bit to 20ish ppm.

Patience is a virtue.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Thank you! It's finally on the mend..jeesh. It was bryopsis and every algae possible all at the same time. It was insane.

I decided to add purigen and phosguard to my filter as well. The month long no water change increased my nitrates a bit to 20ish ppm.

Patience is a virtue.

Yea it's rough sometimes
Well done.

 

[Mickie]

Okay...so my protein skimmer is still not working right...so I took it apart and rinsed it all out again.

The air intake tube is still taking in water.

I'm letting the whole system dry for a few hours. Is this okay?

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

Okay...so my protein skimmer is still not working right...so I took it apart and rinsed it all out again.

The air intake tube is still taking in water.

I'm letting the whole system dry for a few hours. Is this okay?

Yes. Stinks for ya but ok. Sorry.

Does the tube have a hole?

 

[Mickie]

Yes. Stinks for ya but ok. Sorry.

Does the tube have a hole?

Doesn't seem like there was a hole. When I got home I blew some compressed air through it to get some residual water out...now it seems to be working well or as it should...

Hopefully this isn't a monthly occurance with water changes lol.

Eventually I'm going to switch to a reef ready...sounds like it'll make my life easier.