How do I tune a Protein Skimmer

SpenserJH · 01/09/2015, 01:46 PM

My Tunze 9001 Protein Skimmer came in the mail today and I was wondering how to tune the skimmer so I can produce skimmate?

downbeach · 01/09/2015, 01:52 PM

It will probably need some break in time. If you run it in some vinegar for a while, before using it, it will shorten the break in period.

Sk8r · 01/09/2015, 01:55 PM

Get the bubbles just visible in the column and be patient---but also be watchful. The manufacturing oils or whatever on the new skimmer will make it behave crazily for some time, overproducing pale skimmate, which can affect your salinity if it runs amok---can also flood---if you have the option, you might want to run a drain right back to the tank, so if it does that trick, you won't lose your water onto the floor---

They're a pita to break in: you're not going to be able to tune it, likely, for weeks, but you'll eventually find a sweet spot for your tank where it's producing thick bubbly froth but not getting watery see-through skimmate. Then you'll know where that spot is. BUT---at first, it's not going to be real efficient.

Spiderman097 · 01/09/2015, 02:22 PM

My first skimmer, I had no clue what I was doing. But it takes a while to break-in, start low and everyday just keep increasing the water level til you bubbles start coming up the cone.

itz frank · 01/09/2015, 02:40 PM

I found some very good videos on youtube today. Just google skimmer tuning or setup.

SpenserJH · 01/09/2015, 03:10 PM

How does this look?

SpenserJH · 01/09/2015, 03:11 PM

whoops not meant to be sideways

AmberLee · 01/10/2015, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sk8r

The manufacturing oils or whatever on the new skimmer will make it behave crazily for some time, overproducing pale skimmate, which can affect your salinity if it runs amok---can also flood---if you have the option, you might want to run a drain right back to the tank, so if it does that trick, you won't lose your water onto the floor---

They're a pita to break in: you're not going to be able to tune it, likely, for weeks, but you'll eventually find a sweet spot for your tank where it's producing thick bubbly froth but not getting watery see-through skimmate. Then you'll know where that spot is. BUT---at first, it's not going to be real efficient.

Oh my god thank you!!!! Finally an explanation for why my skimmer is behaving so crazily! Haha I honestly thught we had gotten a really bad one or something.

01/09/2015, 01:46 PM	#1
SpenserJH Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Toledo, OH Posts: 32	How do I tune a Protein Skimmer My Tunze 9001 Protein Skimmer came in the mail today and I was wondering how to tune the skimmer so I can produce skimmate?

01/09/2015, 01:55 PM	#3
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Get the bubbles just visible in the column and be patient---but also be watchful. The manufacturing oils or whatever on the new skimmer will make it behave crazily for some time, overproducing pale skimmate, which can affect your salinity if it runs amok---can also flood---if you have the option, you might want to run a drain right back to the tank, so if it does that trick, you won't lose your water onto the floor--- They're a pita to break in: you're not going to be able to tune it, likely, for weeks, but you'll eventually find a sweet spot for your tank where it's producing thick bubbly froth but not getting watery see-through skimmate. Then you'll know where that spot is. BUT---at first, it's not going to be real efficient. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

01/09/2015, 01:52 PM	#2
downbeach Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Smyrna, Delaware Posts: 3,767	It will probably need some break in time. If you run it in some vinegar for a while, before using it, it will shorten the break in period.

01/09/2015, 02:22 PM	#4
Spiderman097 Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 115	My first skimmer, I had no clue what I was doing. But it takes a while to break-in, start low and everyday just keep increasing the water level til you bubbles start coming up the cone.

01/09/2015, 02:40 PM	#5
itz frank Gives Bad Advice. Join Date: May 2006 Location: Ft Lauderdale, FL Posts: 2,168	I found some very good videos on youtube today. Just google skimmer tuning or setup.

01/09/2015, 03:11 PM	#7
SpenserJH Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Toledo, OH Posts: 32	whoops not meant to be sideways