protein skimmer help??

faulkincanyon · 06/04/2007, 06:39 AM

Ive had my protein skimmer running for about a week now and it started foaming and everything as soon as i plugged it in...I got a cup full of tea colored junk..dumped it out and since then I have had no foam or anything?? Does this just mean theres nothing in the water for it to get yet or do I need to see about making adjustments?

jbarone · 06/04/2007, 08:29 AM

We will need more info. How long has the tank been up for? What is in the tank? Some skimmers do take time to break in. More info the better.

kaihonu82 · 06/04/2007, 09:51 AM

Do you still have micro bubbles in the skimmer column? If no, I'd suggest there is something blocking your air intake.

Is there an adjustment knob or dial on your skimmer to raise/lower the water level on your skimmer? If so, tweek with that until you have som foam collecting in the cup.

Those are some basic suggestions. Like jbarone said, we'll need more info about your set up

faulkincanyon · 06/04/2007, 10:54 AM

its a 20 gallon tank with about 20lbs live rock....20 lbs aragonite sand... and its been up for two weeks...the skimmer has an adjustment for water intake and water level...as well as an air intake valve...and my tank by the way is covered in diatom algea.The instructions the skimmer came with are crap so I dont really know what to do...I just didnt understand why it started out fine and now its not foaming.

barbra · 06/04/2007, 11:04 AM

I think it may be an adjustment issue. With that setup you should be seeing good skimmate.

06/04/2007, 06:39 AM	#1
faulkincanyon Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Lubbock,TX Posts: 523	protein skimmer help?? Ive had my protein skimmer running for about a week now and it started foaming and everything as soon as i plugged it in...I got a cup full of tea colored junk..dumped it out and since then I have had no foam or anything?? Does this just mean theres nothing in the water for it to get yet or do I need to see about making adjustments?

06/04/2007, 09:51 AM	#3
kaihonu82 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: bay area, ca Posts: 454	Do you still have micro bubbles in the skimmer column? If no, I'd suggest there is something blocking your air intake. Is there an adjustment knob or dial on your skimmer to raise/lower the water level on your skimmer? If so, tweek with that until you have som foam collecting in the cup. Those are some basic suggestions. Like jbarone said, we'll need more info about your set up __________________ lindsay

06/04/2007, 08:29 AM	#2
jbarone Government Sponge Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Troy, IL Posts: 936	We will need more info. How long has the tank been up for? What is in the tank? Some skimmers do take time to break in. More info the better.

06/04/2007, 10:54 AM	#4
faulkincanyon Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Lubbock,TX Posts: 523	its a 20 gallon tank with about 20lbs live rock....20 lbs aragonite sand... and its been up for two weeks...the skimmer has an adjustment for water intake and water level...as well as an air intake valve...and my tank by the way is covered in diatom algea.The instructions the skimmer came with are crap so I dont really know what to do...I just didnt understand why it started out fine and now its not foaming.

06/04/2007, 11:04 AM	#5
barbra Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Va Beach, VA Posts: 1,408	I think it may be an adjustment issue. With that setup you should be seeing good skimmate.