How to test my skimmer? (power, air flow, etc.)

cabrego · 04/07/2010, 12:56 PM

Hi all, I own a Euro Reef RS-135 and so far I have not been able to tune it to where it is pulling out lots of yucky nog.

I have tried all kinds of setting and it usually never fills the cup with dark stuff, I have cleaned in vinegar, replaced the impellar with a new pin wheel.

How should I go about testing to make sure the pump is operating to spec?

Can I measure the power consumption and use that as an indicator, or air flow?

I am about ready to buy a new one but I figure I should at least test this one first...any tips would be good

stanlalee · 04/07/2010, 01:32 PM

what size tank, what stock and whats the water change/feeding schedule. all tanks arent capable of cup after cup of dark nasty skimate depending on the skimmer. In most cases its the tank not the skimmer or oversized skimmer. partially clogged airway is the other common cause of under performing. smaller blocks from salt creep ect arent always visable or noticeable to the eye but once corrected the difference is usually noticeable. I've gone months thinking my skimmer was working fine until a random cleaning proved otherwise. You can use an airmeter to varify the pump is pulling air to spec but other than air and waterflow there's not much else to check.

cabrego · 04/07/2010, 01:51 PM

The tank is a 90 gallon tank with a total system volume of about 125 gallons that is moderately stocked with corals and fish. (2 tangs, a pair of percs, 6line, and lawnmower blenny). I feed the tank about as much as you can and I hardly ever do water changes, I replace my trace elements and calcium manually.

My nitrates are 0 but I slowly been getting cyano and it has gotton a bit out of control. I am thinking it could be because my skimmer has not been performing as well as I think it should. Most of the nasty stuff it produces is localized around the neck. The skimmate cup is never full with dark stuff. I have had the skimmer for quite some time and I hav noticed when salt creep builds up, it does play a big factor....

As far as testing can't I hook it up to a watt meter to see how much wattage it is push too?

04/07/2010, 12:56 PM	#1
cabrego Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: McAllen,TX Posts: 720	How to test my skimmer? (power, air flow, etc.) Hi all, I own a Euro Reef RS-135 and so far I have not been able to tune it to where it is pulling out lots of yucky nog. I have tried all kinds of setting and it usually never fills the cup with dark stuff, I have cleaned in vinegar, replaced the impellar with a new pin wheel. How should I go about testing to make sure the pump is operating to spec? Can I measure the power consumption and use that as an indicator, or air flow? I am about ready to buy a new one but I figure I should at least test this one first...any tips would be good

04/07/2010, 01:32 PM	#2
stanlalee Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: hampton roads, va Posts: 1,799	what size tank, what stock and whats the water change/feeding schedule. all tanks arent capable of cup after cup of dark nasty skimate depending on the skimmer. In most cases its the tank not the skimmer or oversized skimmer. partially clogged airway is the other common cause of under performing. smaller blocks from salt creep ect arent always visable or noticeable to the eye but once corrected the difference is usually noticeable. I've gone months thinking my skimmer was working fine until a random cleaning proved otherwise. You can use an airmeter to varify the pump is pulling air to spec but other than air and waterflow there's not much else to check.

04/07/2010, 01:51 PM	#3
cabrego Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: McAllen,TX Posts: 720	The tank is a 90 gallon tank with a total system volume of about 125 gallons that is moderately stocked with corals and fish. (2 tangs, a pair of percs, 6line, and lawnmower blenny). I feed the tank about as much as you can and I hardly ever do water changes, I replace my trace elements and calcium manually. My nitrates are 0 but I slowly been getting cyano and it has gotton a bit out of control. I am thinking it could be because my skimmer has not been performing as well as I think it should. Most of the nasty stuff it produces is localized around the neck. The skimmate cup is never full with dark stuff. I have had the skimmer for quite some time and I hav noticed when salt creep builds up, it does play a big factor.... As far as testing can't I hook it up to a watt meter to see how much wattage it is push too?