Questions about Red Sea Prizm Skimmer

RunnerFL · 03/10/2006, 08:38 AM

I've temporary hooked up a Prizm just to make sure it's fully functional, no leaks, etc. It's in a 10 gallon tank that I've mixed some water in for trying out the skimmer.

First off, are they always this loud?

If I keep the hose hooked up to the primer spigot and not introduce air into the skimmer it's very quiet, but the moment I hook it up to the II spigot it's real noisy. Was going to put the tank in my living room but not if it's always this noisy...

Second, how can you turn up the flow without having tons of micro bubbles enter your tank?

I have the flow barely opened up and I'm getting micro bubbles put back into the tank from the skimmer. If I open the flow up much more it's nothing but bubbles it seems. The manual says to cut down on the micro bubbles to cut down the flow, if I cut down anymore the flow will be off.

The unit seems to be working fine but that may just be my inexperience with the piece. Any help would be appreciated.

boodwah · 03/10/2006, 08:47 AM

I have one on my 10 gallon and it is very quiet. Check the O-Rings and make sure they are in place. Also, do you have the tube connected to the nipple on the right, the one closest to the chamber? I wish I could be of more help but those are the only things I can think of right now but mine is very quiet and it pulls out quite a bit of fishy poo. I think they are underrated in here IMHO.

hmott · 03/10/2006, 08:50 AM

It takes a few days before a skimmer starts working fully, even longer if its not on an established tank. You may want to give it some time before you make any decisions.

RunnerFL · 03/10/2006, 10:35 AM

Ok, here's something to add. If I increase the flow of the skimmer the cup starts filling up with water.

ratziel · 03/10/2006, 12:08 PM

Hi RunnerFL. First off , there is no sense trying to adjust any new skimmer in super clean water. It needs the proteans of uneaten fish food and fish poop that has broken down in the water( i.e. dirty water). Once you have it in a tank with fish, live rock etc. the noise and the microbubbles should subside after a week or so. Of coarse we all have different ideas of what is too loud so it may be still to loud for you. Although I think the prism is a decent skimmer for the money, it will never be a set it and forget it. It will always need adjusting such as after you clean the cup you have to turn down the flow then the next day you may have to turn it up a little. In other words you will have to really learn your skimmer. Happy Reefing

Alaskan Reefer · 03/10/2006, 12:39 PM

Be patient, once the inside coats with slime everything gets better.

RunnerFL · 03/10/2006, 03:18 PM

I understand that it will take some time to "Break in" but if I can't get it running right in the first place how am I going to get past the break in period?

I don't think the collection cup is supposed to fill with water, only skimate, right?

I do realize that I will get no skimate from a tank with no fish, sand, rocks, etc.

RunnerFL · 03/10/2006, 07:41 PM

?

ACBlinky · 03/10/2006, 07:54 PM

If the collection cup is filling with water, there's something in the water causing it to overactivate. When this happens IME there's not much you can do beyond emptying the cup a few times until whatever it is (maybe a water conditioner or other additive) has been skimmed out. Since you'll need to replace the water pulled out with fresh SW, just consider it a small water change.

I've got a Prizm and for the longest time didn't like it but now it's doing a great job and pulling loads of dark, sludgy skimmate from my 65g. Be patient with your skimmer, it will take a while to break in - once it does there should be a reduction in bubbles and noise.

whalloper · 03/10/2006, 08:06 PM

I have a Prizm Deluxe on my 26gal and it takes some getting used to but it is a great skimmer once you know what youre doing.

About the noise, guess that depends on who youre asking, but mine is not loud. Is there air in the tube near your water flow knob? Mine is noisy if there is...all you have to do is turn it so its almost all the way up and plug the air inlet tube with your finger until you cant see any more air.

The microbubbles...this skimmer should not do that. Do you have any media in the media basket? If you dont have the basket in the skimmer, I would put it in...if nothing else, it probably helps trap bubbles. I just run my carbon through it - plenty of room, and no bubbles.

The flow... I just adjust the flow so the water level sits right at the base of the collection cup (or a little higher). This is a pretty good flow rate and the cup doesnt fill with meaningless water.

It takes a few weeks to get used to this skimmer, but I am really happy with its performance.

RunnerFL · 03/10/2006, 08:11 PM

Quote:

If the collection cup is filling with water, there's something in the water causing it to overactivate. When this happens IME there's not much you can do beyond emptying the cup a few times until whatever it is (maybe a water conditioner or other additive) has been skimmed out.

That would be fine if it weren't filling up within 2 minutes of turning on the flow.

You say something in the water is causing it to overactivate, what could that be?

This is only water and salt mix to begin with to test the skimmer out before I put more money into my setup only to find the skimmer doesn't work.

RunnerFL · 03/10/2006, 08:35 PM

Quote:

The microbubbles...this skimmer should not do that. Do you have any media in the media basket? If you dont have the basket in the skimmer, I would put it in...if nothing else, it probably helps trap bubbles. I just run my carbon through it - plenty of room, and no bubbles.

Mine is not a deluxe, no media basket.

whalloper · 03/10/2006, 08:56 PM

I thought the deluxe just had the surface skimmer attachment over the regular. It does not have the black triangular shaped container which sits in the outflow chamber?

whalloper · 03/10/2006, 09:00 PM

Sorry, no it does not - just checked online.... They do sell the upgrade kits for about $25 online. I would try one of them - you get the surface skimmer also which helps the surface coat on your water as well.

RunnerFL · 03/10/2006, 09:03 PM

Standard does not include the media basket.

boodwah · 03/10/2006, 09:24 PM

Stupid question: You are adjusting the valve on the inlet, aren't you? I know you probably are but I don't want to overlook the obvious here. It takes some very fine adjusting, try stopping the flow then barely cracking it open and use a flashlight to watch the bubbles in the chamber. Just keep bumping it a wee bit until the bubbles rise NEAR the top, but not quite there. Once you have a bioload the bubbles will collect the waste material and it will float to the top of the bubbles and eventually go into the collection cup. These things are a bit tricky to adjust but they work pretty good once you get it going.

RunnerFL · 03/10/2006, 09:41 PM

Yeah, I'm adjusting the valve. Right now it's just barely open and the bubbles are just below the bottom of the cup.

I guess the key here is bioload, which there isn't right now.

It's still really loud though. I'm having to turn up my TV and I still hear it and it's in the next room. My plan was to put the 30 gallon I'm setting up in my living room which I'm not going to do if this skimmer is this loud. It's super quiet if I leave the air intake hose hooked up to the primer stud on the cup, but the moment I hook it up to the stud that allows it to take in air it gets loud.

blange3 · 03/10/2006, 10:27 PM

They are loud, not much to do about that.

As far as overflowing the cup, follow the advice given above. Open the valve slowly and watch the bubbles in the neck. Adjust them unilt they are almost up to the part of the riser where it starts to narrow. Leave it alone for 2-3 days. It will start to produce some skimmate in a few days.

03/10/2006, 08:38 AM	#1
RunnerFL Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lake Worth, FL Posts: 106	Questions about Red Sea Prizm Skimmer I've temporary hooked up a Prizm just to make sure it's fully functional, no leaks, etc. It's in a 10 gallon tank that I've mixed some water in for trying out the skimmer. First off, are they always this loud? If I keep the hose hooked up to the primer spigot and not introduce air into the skimmer it's very quiet, but the moment I hook it up to the II spigot it's real noisy. Was going to put the tank in my living room but not if it's always this noisy... Second, how can you turn up the flow without having tons of micro bubbles enter your tank? I have the flow barely opened up and I'm getting micro bubbles put back into the tank from the skimmer. If I open the flow up much more it's nothing but bubbles it seems. The manual says to cut down on the micro bubbles to cut down the flow, if I cut down anymore the flow will be off. The unit seems to be working fine but that may just be my inexperience with the piece. Any help would be appreciated.

03/10/2006, 08:47 AM	#2
boodwah Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 145	I have one on my 10 gallon and it is very quiet. Check the O-Rings and make sure they are in place. Also, do you have the tube connected to the nipple on the right, the one closest to the chamber? I wish I could be of more help but those are the only things I can think of right now but mine is very quiet and it pulls out quite a bit of fishy poo. I think they are underrated in here IMHO. __________________ Boodwah Single handedly keeping the carpet cleaning industry in Nashville alive. Current Tank Info: 90 gal Glasscages w/overflow, 30 gal sump, Won 200 Skimmer, 115lbs live rock, 260w PC, 60w T-5, mad wife

03/10/2006, 12:39 PM	#6
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	Be patient, once the inside coats with slime everything gets better. __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

03/10/2006, 07:54 PM	#9
ACBlinky Premium Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Peterborough, ON, Canada Posts: 4,954 Blog Entries: 20	If the collection cup is filling with water, there's something in the water causing it to overactivate. When this happens IME there's not much you can do beyond emptying the cup a few times until whatever it is (maybe a water conditioner or other additive) has been skimmed out. Since you'll need to replace the water pulled out with fresh SW, just consider it a small water change. I've got a Prizm and for the longest time didn't like it but now it's doing a great job and pulling loads of dark, sludgy skimmate from my 65g. Be patient with your skimmer, it will take a while to break in - once it does there should be a reduction in bubbles and noise. __________________ "The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea." - Isak Dinesen Current Tank Info: 150g mixed reef, 30g sump/refugium, LED lighting, 100lbs LR, coral beauty, flame angel, blue & yellow tangs, gobies, damsels, 6-line wrasse, lawnmower blenny, dottyback, clown pair, rabbitfish, shrimp, crabs, CUC.

03/10/2006, 08:06 PM	#10
whalloper Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 317	I have a Prizm Deluxe on my 26gal and it takes some getting used to but it is a great skimmer once you know what youre doing. About the noise, guess that depends on who youre asking, but mine is not loud. Is there air in the tube near your water flow knob? Mine is noisy if there is...all you have to do is turn it so its almost all the way up and plug the air inlet tube with your finger until you cant see any more air. The microbubbles...this skimmer should not do that. Do you have any media in the media basket? If you dont have the basket in the skimmer, I would put it in...if nothing else, it probably helps trap bubbles. I just run my carbon through it - plenty of room, and no bubbles. The flow... I just adjust the flow so the water level sits right at the base of the collection cup (or a little higher). This is a pretty good flow rate and the cup doesnt fill with meaningless water. It takes a few weeks to get used to this skimmer, but I am really happy with its performance. __________________ Please let me know when they invent the device which makes water changes unnecessary and foolish... I cant wait Current Tank Info: 72 gal mixed reef (SPS acros montis stylo miles, LPS, zoos, shrooms, clams, xenia, chili) 26 gal zoo/softies/LPS reef

03/10/2006, 08:50 AM	#3
hmott Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Belpre Ohio Posts: 470	It takes a few days before a skimmer starts working fully, even longer if its not on an established tank. You may want to give it some time before you make any decisions.

03/10/2006, 10:35 AM	#4
RunnerFL Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lake Worth, FL Posts: 106	Ok, here's something to add. If I increase the flow of the skimmer the cup starts filling up with water.

03/10/2006, 12:08 PM	#5
ratziel Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 456	Hi RunnerFL. First off , there is no sense trying to adjust any new skimmer in super clean water. It needs the proteans of uneaten fish food and fish poop that has broken down in the water( i.e. dirty water). Once you have it in a tank with fish, live rock etc. the noise and the microbubbles should subside after a week or so. Of coarse we all have different ideas of what is too loud so it may be still to loud for you. Although I think the prism is a decent skimmer for the money, it will never be a set it and forget it. It will always need adjusting such as after you clean the cup you have to turn down the flow then the next day you may have to turn it up a little. In other words you will have to really learn your skimmer. Happy Reefing

03/10/2006, 03:18 PM	#7
RunnerFL Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lake Worth, FL Posts: 106	I understand that it will take some time to "Break in" but if I can't get it running right in the first place how am I going to get past the break in period? I don't think the collection cup is supposed to fill with water, only skimate, right? I do realize that I will get no skimate from a tank with no fish, sand, rocks, etc.

03/10/2006, 07:41 PM	#8
RunnerFL Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lake Worth, FL Posts: 106	?

03/10/2006, 08:56 PM	#13
whalloper Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 317	I thought the deluxe just had the surface skimmer attachment over the regular. It does not have the black triangular shaped container which sits in the outflow chamber? __________________ Please let me know when they invent the device which makes water changes unnecessary and foolish... I cant wait Current Tank Info: 72 gal mixed reef (SPS acros montis stylo miles, LPS, zoos, shrooms, clams, xenia, chili) 26 gal zoo/softies/LPS reef

03/10/2006, 09:00 PM	#14
whalloper Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Maryland Posts: 317	Sorry, no it does not - just checked online.... They do sell the upgrade kits for about $25 online. I would try one of them - you get the surface skimmer also which helps the surface coat on your water as well. __________________ Please let me know when they invent the device which makes water changes unnecessary and foolish... I cant wait Current Tank Info: 72 gal mixed reef (SPS acros montis stylo miles, LPS, zoos, shrooms, clams, xenia, chili) 26 gal zoo/softies/LPS reef

03/10/2006, 09:03 PM	#15
RunnerFL Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lake Worth, FL Posts: 106	Standard does not include the media basket.

03/10/2006, 09:24 PM	#16
boodwah Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 145	Stupid question: You are adjusting the valve on the inlet, aren't you? I know you probably are but I don't want to overlook the obvious here. It takes some very fine adjusting, try stopping the flow then barely cracking it open and use a flashlight to watch the bubbles in the chamber. Just keep bumping it a wee bit until the bubbles rise NEAR the top, but not quite there. Once you have a bioload the bubbles will collect the waste material and it will float to the top of the bubbles and eventually go into the collection cup. These things are a bit tricky to adjust but they work pretty good once you get it going. __________________ Boodwah Single handedly keeping the carpet cleaning industry in Nashville alive. Current Tank Info: 90 gal Glasscages w/overflow, 30 gal sump, Won 200 Skimmer, 115lbs live rock, 260w PC, 60w T-5, mad wife

03/10/2006, 09:41 PM	#17
RunnerFL Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lake Worth, FL Posts: 106	Yeah, I'm adjusting the valve. Right now it's just barely open and the bubbles are just below the bottom of the cup. I guess the key here is bioload, which there isn't right now. It's still really loud though. I'm having to turn up my TV and I still hear it and it's in the next room. My plan was to put the 30 gallon I'm setting up in my living room which I'm not going to do if this skimmer is this loud. It's super quiet if I leave the air intake hose hooked up to the primer stud on the cup, but the moment I hook it up to the stud that allows it to take in air it gets loud.

03/10/2006, 10:27 PM	#18
blange3 Brewer and Reefer Join Date: May 2005 Location: Woodbridge, NJ Posts: 1,126	They are loud, not much to do about that. As far as overflowing the cup, follow the advice given above. Open the valve slowly and watch the bubbles in the neck. Adjust them unilt they are almost up to the part of the riser where it starts to narrow. Leave it alone for 2-3 days. It will start to produce some skimmate in a few days. __________________ Bill Current Tank Info: 180gal with 100 gal Sump CSS Octopus NW150, Mag 18 return, Jebao RW20, 2xMJ 900's 320w VHO Actinics and 320w overdriven T5's coming back online after a FW break