while i learned that modern protein skimmers adjust air flow , pump power, and water column depth it turns out skimmer depth is also important.
so what happens:
overflowing sputtering protein skimmer that spits water onto the power strip giving me an electric shock.
to prevent zapping myself again, i put a lid on the skimmer sump. the thinking was it would capture the water from shooting everywhere again.
it then clogged the air intake with high humid air crystalizing in the air intake.
also added level controller for the skimmer tank.
solution to my solution:
tubing to bring in fresh air plumed straight to the skimmer's air adjustment.
result:
never had a splutter problem again during tuning, no protein skimmer smell in my office ever again (even with a near full cup), and ... drum roll... my evaporation losses are now at 1 gallon a week for 200 gallon tank in an area with 20% RH. I was doing well over 5 gallons a week in top off.
the skimmer is inline after the bioreactor.
so what happens:
overflowing sputtering protein skimmer that spits water onto the power strip giving me an electric shock.
to prevent zapping myself again, i put a lid on the skimmer sump. the thinking was it would capture the water from shooting everywhere again.
it then clogged the air intake with high humid air crystalizing in the air intake.
also added level controller for the skimmer tank.
solution to my solution:
tubing to bring in fresh air plumed straight to the skimmer's air adjustment.
result:
never had a splutter problem again during tuning, no protein skimmer smell in my office ever again (even with a near full cup), and ... drum roll... my evaporation losses are now at 1 gallon a week for 200 gallon tank in an area with 20% RH. I was doing well over 5 gallons a week in top off.
the skimmer is inline after the bioreactor.