Skimmer Q&A Thread

[Joel Jordan]

Just remove water, the water level wil only go down in the backchambers since the returnpumps return the water to the front. I have a redseamax 250 aswell, ill add a picture with my waterlvls.

Thanks bro i just removed some water, and btw are you using the same skimmer? Or did you change it?

 

[Kirschy17]

Thanks bro i just removed some water, and btw are you using the same skimmer? Or did you change it?

Am using the included one. I had some issues with it last week where it produced microbubbles outta nowhere. No idea why that happened because they are gone again. Besides that i dont have any issues. Tank is only up for 5 months tough.

 

[Joel Jordan]

Am using the included one. I had some issues with it last week where it produced microbubbles outta nowhere. No idea why that happened because they are gone again. Besides that i dont have any issues. Tank is only up for 5 months tough.

And was it doing the same thing as mine is when u started the tank? If so, how long before it normalized?

 

[Kirschy17]

And was it doing the same thing as mine is when u started the tank? If so, how long before it normalized?

I did have a similar issue but its not about time for it to stop. Its about adjusting water level and air intake. If u have set the waterlevel to where it shouldbe, set the skimmers waterlevel slider to the lowest position. If u still get overskimming use an air valve to reduce air intake.

I had a valve included.

 

[mcarroll]

I had a sick fish and treated with microbelift artemiss/herbtana. Since then i am getting microbubbles from my skimmer

Are you still dosing the tank? Have you removed that stuff from the water yet? (activated carbon and/or water changes?) Does it mention this side-effect in the instructions?

Can I ask what happens if you use to small of a skimmer?
I had a 55 gallon mixed tank turned into a 150 gallon, and now a 220 gallon. All while using a coralife skimmer that claimes to be good up tp 125gallon. Would it be Benificial to add a 2nd skimmer now that I'm beyond what it claimes to suport? The dial is maybe 9/10ths of the way up 24/7 my nitrates seem to be around 10-15ppm.

First, there's the rule of not fixing what isn't broken. If your tank is doing well, it's doing well. Admit it. ;)

Second, aeration is one of the main benefits of protein skimming IMO...if not the main benefit.

Third, if you like the skimmer (easy to clean, seems to work well, etc) then I can't really recommend something that's going to be significantly better.

If you want to try something different just to try something different, I'd have to suggest either a Tunze 9410 DC or 9415.

Or if you wanted to stick with a classic look, maybe shop for a used AquaC EV-series skimmer. An EV-180 or EV-240 would probably be ideal.

every time i feed it goes crazy and fills the cup with water.

Cut the air-input a little and see how it does over the next 24 hours.

If it still floods, cut the air-input a little more and see how it does over the next 24 hours.

Etc. :)

Don't make any big adjustments – only small.

And unless your adjustment floods out before the day is over, try not to make than a single adjustment per day. Of course make another small adjustment if you get a flood. ;)

Overall this is an easy way to tune in your skimmer.

Also, make sure every part and tube associated with air-intake is 100% free of calcium deposits. Inside the venturi hole where the water and air actually mix is a common place for buildup that's hard to see.

 

[WVNed]

reducing air will cause the skimmer to flood more. Do a simple experiment. Cover the air intake with your finger and watch what the water level in the skimmer does.
If the skimmer is flooding open the air intake. If it is open all the way put something under the skimmer so it runs in less water.

 

[zippykat]

I have a innovative marine ghost skimmer in my lagoon 25. It’s been running about 2 weeks and is now making frequent intermittent squealing noise. It’s not horribly loud, but quite annoying. All connections appear tight. I also ran it in a vinegar bath prior to putting it in the tank. The sound does not go away if I put my finger over the air inlet valve which makes me think possibly more related to the motor. Other motor issues I have found online are more vibrating knocking noises, not a high pitch squealing noise. Suggestions?

 

[bmbpka]

I’ve had my skimmer going for just about a month now and the skimmate has been dry. Yesterday as I was messing around under the tank, I noticed it was wet. Drained the cup and it’s filling quickly with very wet skimmate. Is this a “break in” thing? I swear I read that somewhere on here before but can’t find the post now.

 

[BellaCoop]

I am currently running a Reef Octopus 100 and it keeps not bubbling in the back. I took it apart and cleared it out and roughly 32 hours later the same thing is happening. Any suggestions on what I should do?

 

[Angelo Fatica]

Hey guys! I have an innovative marine fusion 20 tank and was looking for a quiet but effective nano skimmer. I am leaning towards the ghost by aqua gadget. Would anyone like to suggest any others that they like? Maybe even give me more information and experience with the ghost skimmer? Thank you!

 

[Kris Hamann]

I'm looking for some help on my first saltwater tank. I have a nuvo 60 and it came with a ghost skimmer and when I plug it in it goes crazy and fills the container with bubbles in like a minute. I can get it to stop when I put the air basically tuned all the way off. It's not a new unit. Bought second hand. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[ellenRN]

hi Kris -

I don't know much, but it might still need a "break in" period of time for it to calm down.... Also, since you have a new saltwater talk, what kind of rock/sand are you using? I have heard that if you are using CaribSea Life Rock it will be bubbly for a period of time as well! At least these things are my situation. Another thing, it may need to be raised. Depending on your sump and its water level, you want to make sure your skimmer is at the appropriate water level height. My skimmer (Reef Octopus 150 INT) states it should be 7-9in for the water level. I had to raise my skimmer up, it was around 10 inches just sitting on the bottom. Anyway, my skimmer *finally* calmed down the last few days and I have had it up and running (crazily) for over a week! Also, I would suggest doing a "search" in the forums for your brand/model of skimmer and see if others have had similar issues and their solutions! Also, I am sure others who are way more experienced can explain better and correct me if I am wrong on these things! Just trying to pay it forward....! :) Good luck!

 

[reeftivo]

I'm looking for some help on my first saltwater tank. I have a nuvo 60 and it came with a ghost skimmer and when I plug it in it goes crazy and fills the container with bubbles in like a minute. I can get it to stop when I put the air basically tuned all the way off. It's not a new unit. Bought second hand. Any help would be appreciated.

raise the cup and push the oring down further on the cup so the cup sits higher. open the air all the way. Then tune it down (slowly close air) to where the bubble break just below the neck. Even a previously used skimmer will still need to break in and develop a slime coat again

 

[alex higgins]

This is the official R2R Skimmer Q&A Thread where the answers to your questions are as concentrated as skimmate!

We will do our best as a community to answer questions you have concerning protein skimmers so ask away!

Thank you!

Hi guys, I’m upgrading tank and was looking into getting a protein skimmer.. I’m not liking the HOB skimmers but was noticing that the better skimmers were submerged in sumps. Does this mean I must get a sump or can I pipe it to my filtration system?

 

[reeftivo]

Hi guys, I’m upgrading tank and was looking into getting a protein skimmer.. I’m not liking the HOB skimmers but was noticing that the better skimmers were submerged in sumps. Does this mean I must get a sump or can I pipe it to my filtration system?

what size tank and what kind of filtration (other than skimmer) will you be using?

 

[Joe bauman]

Thoughts on the bubble magus nac 9 skimmer? I have Plans to run it on my 120 gallon disp with eshopps 200 sump.

 

[Vahanyos]

Here goes...

I have the bubble magus curve 5 and it ran like a champ on my 55g. It was set at 9” of water level and Had the dial set on “max” or number 3 I believe... was foaming nice and pulled some nasty gunk. Fast forward after months of use... I have a new tank about 3 weeks old with fish already. Tank is fully cycled with only two small fish.

My issue I’m having is the foam... I have the water level set to exactly 9” like my last tank, but the foam is overflowing the skimmer cup on the same setting.

Does it matter that it’s a new tank? Water quality effect the skimmer to foam more or less? Does it need to break in again?? I am using the same exact water height and level as I did on my 55 but it won’t stop overflowing. It’s been about 15 hours no change

Thanks

 

[Ramon Estevez]

Hey there looking for a viable option to swap my Tunze 9012 with an In Sump skimmer. Narrowed down to the Eshopps x-160 and Bubble Magus Curve 5. Just wondering is the Tunze better than these two will I be losing a lot by swapping?

 

[alex higgins]

what size tank and what kind of filtration (other than skimmer) will you be using?

90g tank And I’ll be using an external filter probably a 600 and link it with a UV

 

[TLKAg87]

75 gallon reef tank. Building a 29 gal sump. Looking at skimmers for around $200. Reef octopus? Bubble magus? Something else? Assume they all have pros and cons. Quiet will be a big factor. What do y’all say?