Oversized skimmer not producing?

Longchamp · 06/15/2008, 04:40 PM

Okay so i had a G2 laying around and i decided to try and use it on my 30 gallon cube (it was either that, or a prizm...)

Since i put it in 2 weeks ago ive gotten maybe 1/2 inch of skimmate from the tank. I know it works because it was in my roommates 75 which produced a ton of skimmate. Although, she overfeeds and i underfeed.

Also, i lost the O ring that goes around the neck of the skimmer (between the body and the collection cup) i dont know if that would have an effect.

I never got much skimmate out with my prizm either.

virginiadiver69 · 06/15/2008, 06:05 PM

Your bio load will determine what skimmate production is. It also takes several weeks for a skimmer to break in.

xJake · 06/15/2008, 06:34 PM

It sounds like there aren't enough organics in the water to produce a good foam head. A lot of times when a skimmer is over-sized for a tank (not that this is a bad thing) you need to feed more to get it to skim decently.

NealNano · 06/16/2008, 02:02 PM

An over sized skimmer will pull out all the oragnics from the water so quickly that after a while it will no longer work. A G2 is a very strong skimmer. A super skimmer 65, an ASM mini, or an octopus nw100 will all work great on a 30 gallon. I have a Super skimmer moded and have used it on a 20, 29, 55 and now it is on my 40. I love it and hate it but it does the job well.

06/15/2008, 04:40 PM	#1
Longchamp Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: baltimore Posts: 341	Oversized skimmer not producing? Okay so i had a G2 laying around and i decided to try and use it on my 30 gallon cube (it was either that, or a prizm...) Since i put it in 2 weeks ago ive gotten maybe 1/2 inch of skimmate from the tank. I know it works because it was in my roommates 75 which produced a ton of skimmate. Although, she overfeeds and i underfeed. Also, i lost the O ring that goes around the neck of the skimmer (between the body and the collection cup) i dont know if that would have an effect. I never got much skimmate out with my prizm either.

06/15/2008, 06:05 PM	#2
virginiadiver69 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Va. Posts: 4,400	Your bio load will determine what skimmate production is. It also takes several weeks for a skimmer to break in. __________________ Semi-aggressive mixed reef w/ shallow sand bed 96x30x27 310gal custom acrylic w/ ext. "fail safe" overflow 125gal sump/cryptic fuge w/ 6" DSB 3 400w Plus Rite 20k MH in Lumembrights 2 250w Plus Rite 20k MH in spider reflectors VHO actinic supplementation 2 Tunze wave boxes 2 Tunze 6060 in Tunze Rocks 2 Tunze 6125 Reeflo 250 skimmer Hammerhead return on OM 4 way Aqua controller lll Leviton power panel Deltec Eco-Cooler Randy's Two part 6.5 kw generator

06/15/2008, 06:34 PM	#3
xJake Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,385	It sounds like there aren't enough organics in the water to produce a good foam head. A lot of times when a skimmer is over-sized for a tank (not that this is a bad thing) you need to feed more to get it to skim decently.

06/16/2008, 02:02 PM	#4
NealNano Moved On Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Gilbert, Az Posts: 764	An over sized skimmer will pull out all the oragnics from the water so quickly that after a while it will no longer work. A G2 is a very strong skimmer. A super skimmer 65, an ASM mini, or an octopus nw100 will all work great on a 30 gallon. I have a Super skimmer moded and have used it on a 20, 29, 55 and now it is on my 40. I love it and hate it but it does the job well.