Protein skimmer

Mickie · Sep 4, 2016

Hi! I'm new to saltwater...just got my tank up and running/cycled etc.

ANYWHO, my Eshopps psk-100H just came in. It's HOB since the tank I have is not predrilled or has the room for a sump/refugium.

I'm kind of worried about overflow since the tank is on hardwood. We're going to rig it so the drain tube goes down into a 5 gallon bucket. Will this help?

Also...what does the water level adjusting tube do exactly?

How far does the sponge need to be in the water? Right now it sits about 2 inches into the water.

I'm lost. Please help a newwwwwb.

I'm not going to start it up till after I do my first WC today.

Tia!

cromag27 · Sep 4, 2016

That's what the drain tube is for. those hob skimmers can be finicky to break in so a bucket is a very good idea.

The sponge will only sit in the water so far. as long as the pipe is submerged to intake the water, then you're good.

These can be tricky to prime. once you have it hanging on the tank, adjust the nylon bolt to make sure it sits level away from the tank (they may have changed the design and it's nob longer a bolt, but there should be something to adjust with). then fill the skimmer body with water. turn it on and hopefully it will start up just fine. if not you'll have to turn it on and off until it starts running.

cromag27 · Sep 4, 2016

After it's running, continually check for leaks for several days. I would also check for leaks on an ongoing basis - check for water and salt creep at the unions, but the first several days are critical.

Mickie · Sep 4, 2016

cromag08 said:
That's what the drain tube is for. those hob skimmers can be finicky to break in so a bucket is a very good idea.

The sponge will only sit in the water so far. as long as the pipe is submerged to intake the water, then you're good.

These can be tricky to prime. once you have it hanging on the tank, adjust the nylon bolt to make sure it sits level away from the tank. then fill the skimmer body with water. turn it on and hopefully it will start up just fine. if not you'll have to turn it on and off until it starts running.

Where would I get a float switch to put into the bucket? Just in case in the future it decides to pump water out everywhere?

cromag27 · Sep 4, 2016

A float switch wouldn't help you. You'll smell the skimmate and want to empty the bucket.

Mickie said:
Where would I get a float switch to put into the bucket? Just in case in the future it decides to pump water out everywhere?

Mickie · Sep 4, 2016

cromag08 said:
A float switch wouldn't help you. You'll smell the skimmate and want to empty the bucket.

I meant if it overflows with tank water while I'm out of the house. I saw on other threads that a float switch to turn off the skimmer would prevent that?

cromag27 · Sep 4, 2016

The extra water would drain down the tube, but if it can't keep up, then it could overflow. I guess you could hook up a float switch to turn off the skimmer but you would need some type of controller like an apex. but the float switch go in the bucket and turn off when the water level reaches the switch. it wouldn't really prevent the skimmer cup from overflowing.

Mickie said:
I meant if it overflows with tank water while I'm out of the house. I saw on other threads that a float switch to turn off the skimmer would prevent that?

jjvanb · Sep 4, 2016

I would think the sponge goes on the intake. I have the psk 75 hob, but I chose not to bother with the sponge. Mine broke in pretty quick, use the water level adjusting tube to set the water level a little below the neck, then over the course of a few days to maybe a week, gradually raise the water level so that a dryish foam is reaching the top of the collection cup. Once it is broken in, you can adjust the water level to make it skim wetter or dryer depending on your preference.

Mickie · Sep 4, 2016

jjvanb said:
I would think the sponge goes on the intake. I have the psk 75 hob, but I chose not to bother with the sponge. Mine broke in pretty quick, use the water level adjusting tube to set the water level a little below the neck, then over the course of a few days to maybe a week, gradually raise the water level so that a dryish foam is reaching the top of the collection cup. Once it is broken in, you can adjust the water level to make it skim wetter or dryer depending on your preference.

Thank you! I kept the sponge on, but I pretty much was having a heart attack over this cuz it kept overflowing. I think I got it now, fingers crossed.

cromag27 · Sep 4, 2016

You'll have a break-in period. sometimes a week or more, that's why I said you need to keep your eye on it a lot initially.

tom reilly · Sep 4, 2016

cromag08 said:
A float switch wouldn't help you. You'll smell the skimmate and want to empty the bucket.

If the stench is any indication, mine is doing an outstanding job!

Mickie · Sep 5, 2016

tom reilly said:
If the stench is any indication, mine is doing an outstanding job!

Awesome! Mine is just now starting to pull out nasty stuff....

Frop · Sep 5, 2016

Someone on here had a post of something they bought from Amazon. Basically it sets a buzzer off when placed in water. Good to alert you if any water is making it on the floor. Another fail safe can't hurt.

Mickie · Sep 5, 2016

Frop said:
Someone on here had a post of something they bought from Amazon. Basically it sets a buzzer off when placed in water. Good to alert you if any water is making it on the floor. Another fail safe can't hurt.

Great idea! Thank you!