Should the collection cup always be full?

[richardhmc]

I was just wondering, should the collection cup of a skimmer always be full with foam and waste? When I first installed my skimmer, it would bubble all the way to the top, but now, the foam doesnt even reach the neck of the skimmer connecting to the cup.

 

[batt600]

You need to ajust it to its sweet spot

 

[richardhmc]

adjust what exactly?

 

[batt600]

What skimmer you have ? . You should ajust the the foam hight in the neck

 

[richardhmc]

I have a reef octopus skimmer. I push the cup down as much as it can go

 

[E.intheC]

which octopus? you have to be more descriptive b/c it will help us tell you what to adjust. Is your collection cup/neck/etc dirty? You can try giving it a good cleaning. Also, you're probably going to need to clean out the pump and airlines.

 

[richardhmc]

It is the octopus nwb 110
http://www.aquacave.com/reef-octopus-nw-110-br-needle-wheel-protein-br-skimmer-750.html

How can I adjust this? So im assuming that foam should constantly be pouring out correct?

 

[batt600]

you turn the tube it has writing on it close and open turn it slighty tell you are happy with it

 

[richardhmc]

I think I opened it all the way though.... If it was completely closed then there should be no flow whatsoever right?

 

[richardhmc]

ok so there is a sticker of an arrow pointing up and i turned the top piece so that the word "open" is directly above it

 

[batt600]

you slowly close it not to close but you turn it slowy to close that will raise the water level in the skimmer so you can get the foam to the top were you want it.

 

[richardhmc]

I closed it a wee bit from the open sticker. It doesn't for it to be close to closed right? I want not too much flow but enough flow.

 

[E.intheC]

the more you close it, the higher the water level will go up in the skimmer. You typically want the "top" of the bubbles to be right where the collection cup starts (the bottom of the cup).. let a nice slime coat build up and it will produce a drier skimmate. If you raise the bubble line higher, it will produce a wetter skimmate.

 

[richardhmc]

I just cleaned up that slime coat =\ That gunk on the inside of the skimmer right beneath the neck?

If you had to give me a percentage, how much should the thing be closed? right now its at about 40% closed

 

[DrHarryLopez]

I just cleaned up that slime coat =\ That gunk on the inside of the skimmer right beneath the neck?

If you had to give me a percentage, how much should the thing be closed? right now its at about 40% closed

When cleaning ur skimmer cup you should use the water from your water change or at the minimum water at the same temp at the tank. The sides from which the foam rises from has a thin slim layer that facilitates the skimming. Inside the cup you can scub clean if u so desire.

Harry

 

[Wes]

I just spray mine down with a garden hose. The "slime layer" comes back very quickly.


Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

 

[E.intheC]

If you had to give me a percentage, how much should the thing be closed? right now its at about 40% closed

That depends 100% on your system, so unfortunately I can't give a recommendation. Usually if your collection cup is overflowing you'd want to open up the tube so more water can exit the pipe.

 

[richardhmc]

The problem is, the foam isn't even reaching the top at all! its struggling to even get up there

 

[dj ze]

what size is your tank and how heavy is it populated you probably don't have enough organics for a steady foam

 

[richardhmc]

Ah that would make sense. I have a 50 and currently its occupied with a pair of clownfish