euro-reef protein skimmer tuning

[pitogo]

So an easy question, but haven't found a good answer to. I've read a lot about protein skimmers, kinds etc, but nothing about how to tune them. The manual states to adjust foam 1.5 - 2.0 inches above collection cup union. I did that and came home to an overflow. I'm trying to tune a Euro-Reef RS-80. The two controls are air intake and return water. I have it in a 20x10x18 sump/refugium at the water return. Its in about 8" of water. There are 2 things I've seen that constantly affect its foam collecting. They are:

1. Water level: sump evaporation results in about .5" variation, it is baffled but overflow affects the RS-80 more than I think it should for a big skimmer.

2. Feeding: when I feed my two percula the foam disappers, food is mysis or brine shrimp soaked in vitamin suppliments.

Can anything be done about 1? As for two, I can just turn the skimmer off and turn it back up after feeding but it still takes 2-3 hours for the foam to start back up. What should be the proper way to skim? Adjust water level then adjust air? I'd like to avoid water disasters. I'm mostly collecting semi-wet skimmate. If I try to adjust it for dry, evap will eventually win and end up with no dry foam. I'm thinking about trading it in for a Tunze 9010.

[BansheeTwin350]

You want to feed it as much air as possible, I beleive. I would open the air valve all the way. I have an RS-125 (I think) and I noticed that when a little salt gets in my air line it doesn't work as well. I can tell when I get salt in my line when I cna no longer see the outlet pipe inside the bottom of the skimmer because of all the bubbles. Once I squirt some hot water in the air tube, the bubbles stay at the top and I can see the outlet. I'll have to wait to I get home to measure what level I have mine set at.

[rustybucket145]

Air all the way open and adjust your water level.

Sometimes it takes a week or two for a skimmer to 'slime' over. It's kinda a break in period for them. So don't expect it to produce much skimmate regularly until a week+ passes and the skimmer has a chance to slime. Until then it will be somewhat finniky (the food deal) and unreliable (the flood deal).

[shag26272]

you can take the air valve off, also when you put your hands in the tank your foam will collapse

[pitogo]

Originally posted by shag26272
you can take the air valve off, also when you put your hands in the tank your foam will collapse

Yep, just noticed that. Had to get my baster to remove a dead, red leg hermit (its not the tank water, I bought shells most of the other hermits are upgrading to and it seems there was a dead hermit inside one). I've had it for a week its been working well enough to keep compared to the Orca skimmer that came with my fudge. Thanks for the help. I will try to keep the air up at max and keep the water flow high and watch how it foams. I think last time too much restriction caused the overflow.

[Fish'InMN]

Here is a helpful link for RS80 users, though it sounds like you have an older version without the wedge-pipe adjuster. Let me know if you have any other questions.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...0&pagenumber=1

Cheers,
Marty

[pitogo]

Originally posted by Fish'InMN
Here is a helpful link for RS80 users, though it sounds like you have an older version without the wedge-pipe adjuster. Let me know if you have any other questions.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...0&pagenumber=1

Cheers,
Marty

I have the new model with the wedge pipe output adjustment. I' also have the 90 and the straight going into the sump thinking about removing the straight pipe so there less restriction.