Is My Skimmer Set Up Correctly?

Darth_Tater · 11/17/2018, 08:52 PM

So I'm not exactly new to the hobby but have a newbie question. My nitrates are up around 10 PPM and I've got Xenia and algae declining in a tank with no light, but I don't really have much going on with my skimmer. It's an Eshopps, I don't remember which model, but one with the Sicce pump. This is all it's produced in about a week:

I have the water level of the sump sitting about an inch above the bubble chamber and right above the output pipe:

When it's running I have it adjusted so that the foam starts about half way up the collection cup, and I still only collect this much in a week. I just cleaned the whole skimmer thoroughly in vinegar about a month ago.

Oh, and if it makes a difference there is tons of sand flying around in the water column (thank you pesky clownfish...). Any tips?

billdogg · 11/18/2018, 07:27 AM

That looks about right to me. Your skimmer can only pull out any excess organics in the tank. With such a low bioload I wouldn't be expecting too much.

Darth_Tater · 11/18/2018, 10:03 AM

Ok. Normally I think the same thing. I just thought with nitrates being detectable for the first time since I started the tank and lots of Xenia and algae dissolving it would be pulling a lot more out. Guess I'll just keep an eye on nitrates and prepare for water changes!

Thanks!

homer1475 · 11/18/2018, 01:59 PM

Your skimmer will not skim out nitrates, per se'. What it does do, is skim out the stuff before it breaks down into nitrates

11/17/2018, 08:52 PM	#1
Darth_Tater Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Northern Utah Posts: 535	Is My Skimmer Set Up Correctly? So I'm not exactly new to the hobby but have a newbie question. My nitrates are up around 10 PPM and I've got Xenia and algae declining in a tank with no light, but I don't really have much going on with my skimmer. It's an Eshopps, I don't remember which model, but one with the Sicce pump. This is all it's produced in about a week: I have the water level of the sump sitting about an inch above the bubble chamber and right above the output pipe: When it's running I have it adjusted so that the foam starts about half way up the collection cup, and I still only collect this much in a week. I just cleaned the whole skimmer thoroughly in vinegar about a month ago. Oh, and if it makes a difference there is tons of sand flying around in the water column (thank you pesky clownfish...). Any tips? __________________ It's probably in your best interest to ignore most of my advice.

11/18/2018, 07:27 AM	#2
billdogg Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grove City, Ohio Posts: 10,806	That looks about right to me. Your skimmer can only pull out any excess organics in the tank. With such a low bioload I wouldn't be expecting too much. __________________ I'll try to be nice if you try to be smarter! I can't help that I grow older, but you can't make me grow up! Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef with 40b sump, RO 150 skimmer, AI Sol Blue x 2, and a 60g Frag Tank with 100g rubbermaid sump. 2 x Kessil A360w lights, BM curve 5 skimmer

11/18/2018, 10:03 AM	#3
Darth_Tater Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Northern Utah Posts: 535	Ok. Normally I think the same thing. I just thought with nitrates being detectable for the first time since I started the tank and lots of Xenia and algae dissolving it would be pulling a lot more out. Guess I'll just keep an eye on nitrates and prepare for water changes! Thanks! __________________ It's probably in your best interest to ignore most of my advice.

11/18/2018, 01:59 PM	#4
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	Your skimmer will not skim out nitrates, per se'. What it does do, is skim out the stuff before it breaks down into nitrates __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"