Please help with Sicce Shark 150 Skimmer

[Benjaming29]

Hello, I am new to this Forum and this hobby. I used to keep big freshwater tanks but recently set up a small reef tank.

My tank is a 24 gallon JBJ Nanocube LED. Stocklist as follows:

2x 1.5" Maroon clowns
1x 2" Molly
1x 3 -4" orange Starfish
2x small emerald crabs
1x Peppermint Shrimp
5x snails (Not sure exact species)
1x Torch coral frag
1x Acan frag
1x Greenstar Polyp Frag
3x Zoa frags

Yesterday's parameters:

Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate:0
PH 8.3
Calcium: 400ppm
Magnesium: 1350ppm
Alkalinity: 8.4
Phosphate: .6
Salinity: 1.026

Everyone looks to be doing great, however I am having issues dialing in my protein skimmer. It is a Sicce Shark 150. The skimmer has been breaking in for about 2 weeks.

When I first got the skimmer it was working great. Then one day evaporation took the water level down, and I have not been able to get it working like it was again.

I have tried lots of different water levels and air intake amounts but to no avail.

Basically it is making a lot of foam but the foam isn't making it up to the cup. It seems to be leaking from the body of the skimmer. The compartment in the back where the skimmer is is bubbly. Additionally, whatever little skimmate that does make it to the cup is very light, almost clear.

I will try to upload a short video I took to show you guys. Thanks in advance for all your advice!

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I can’t see the video but sound like your skimmer is fine. A brand new small tank with a small bio load and zero nitrate has nothing to skim, the water is too clean. Be careful or you will have problems , the corals need nutrients.

 

[Benjaming29]

Thanks for the response! Would you recommend turning it off for a while?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

IMO turn it off or put it on low setting since it has the benefit of oxygenating the water, kind of like a glorified airstone lol

 

[Benjaming29]

Ok great thanks I will turn it off now Unfortunately it's not adjustable, just on or off.

Should I add some more fish to raise nitrate? I want my coral to be healthy. They are really the whole point of the tank.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Make changes slowly on a reef tank. You said you will turn off the skimmer so give time to collect data see how the tank reacts. If needed then add another fish, I think you have room for another one. Then collect data again and decide the next step maybe you’ll need to turn the skimmer on by then. But one thing at a time know what I mean. Good luck.

 

[Benjaming29]

Understood I'll check back in to let you know how it goes. Thanks again!

 

[SFNanoReef]

I have the Sicce 150 as well. It definitely takes several weeks to break in—it will produce microbubbles like crazy during that time and can be quite loud until it’s fully settled.

I recommend pulling the skimmer out and giving it a thorough reassembly. The parts can shift or loosen during shipping. Also, maintaining a consistent water level is important. I keep the water level just below the recommended line and run the air silencer slightly closed.

That said, I’ve never been super impressed with the skimming performance. Even with 2 clowns, 2 gobies, a firefish, a royal gramma, and a variety of inverts and corals in my 24g tank, the skimmate is always just a light tea-colored water. You’d expect it to be thicker with that bioload.

Overall, I’m looking for a new skimmer. The cup is too small, there’s no option for a drain line, and cleaning it is a hassle.

Hope this helps! I’m happy to share videos if that would be useful.

 

[Benjaming29]

Thank you for the advice! I'll give that a try