Should Protein skimmers always produce a constant foam?

gcfiend · 11/30/2007, 11:23 AM

Should Protein skimmers always produce a constant foam? Meaning should I always see a head of foam in the collection cup. I ask because mine appears only to "foam up" in the collection area during certain parts of the day.

Thanks in advance

Waxxiemann · 11/30/2007, 11:30 AM

sometimes adding new material to the tank, feeding, putting your hand in the water can cause the foam head to collapse.

If your skimmer is new, wait a few weeks before you get really worried.

HTH,
Waxx

hyperfocal · 11/30/2007, 11:31 AM

No the amount of foam will change, depending on the surface tension of the water. Many things affect the surface tension of the water, including feeding, additives, oils (or perish the thought, detergent residue) from your skin, variabilities in bioload, etc. etc.

It's normal.

gcfiend · 11/30/2007, 11:36 AM

Thanks for the quick response!

sjm817 · 11/30/2007, 11:40 AM

Also, if it is not a recirc skimmer, sump water level can affect foam level. What type of skimmer is it and does the water level of the sump change?

Jim_S · 11/30/2007, 11:47 AM

Depending n the skimmer, there is also the possibility that the skimmer is oversized.

My skimmer doesn't "always" have foam bubbling out of the neck. However, when there enough organics available, the foam head will rise. I have an oversized skimmer for my application.

On undersized skimmers, you'll see the opposite. There will always be foam because the skimmer is constantly trying to keep up with the organics.

Skimmers are tricky little pieces of equipment. There are so many variables that can influence how they operate. Any info about your tank, livestock and the skimmer itself would help answer your question

Cheers,

Jim

gcfiend · 11/30/2007, 12:37 PM

Skimmer is a Top Fathom TF100A http://www.topfathom.com/Hobbiest.html

Got it as a package deal. Runs on a MAG18. Sump level drops maybe 3 inches throughout the day due to evaporation (about 2 gallons) I top off daily at about 5 PM (i"ll see if I have less foam before the top off and compare afterward) Water level within the skimmer itself appears constant.

I have a 90 with a 28Gal Sump\Fuge. 100 lbs of LR and 100Lbs of LS.

I have about 35 SPS (all frags about 2 inches or less) and some softies and zoos.
10 snails, 5 hermits.

Hippo tang - 3inches
6line wrasse
2 clowns
neon cleaner goby
mandarin

LMK if you need more info.

11/30/2007, 11:23 AM	#1
gcfiend Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 546	Should Protein skimmers always produce a constant foam? Should Protein skimmers always produce a constant foam? Meaning should I always see a head of foam in the collection cup. I ask because mine appears only to "foam up" in the collection area during certain parts of the day. Thanks in advance __________________ Chris Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds. - B.M.

11/30/2007, 11:30 AM	#2
Waxxiemann Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Winnipeg Posts: 2,364	sometimes adding new material to the tank, feeding, putting your hand in the water can cause the foam head to collapse. If your skimmer is new, wait a few weeks before you get really worried. HTH, Waxx __________________ "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe." Albert Einstein

11/30/2007, 11:31 AM	#3
hyperfocal Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Edge of oblivion Posts: 1,708	No the amount of foam will change, depending on the surface tension of the water. Many things affect the surface tension of the water, including feeding, additives, oils (or perish the thought, detergent residue) from your skin, variabilities in bioload, etc. etc. It's normal. __________________ "Froth at the top, dregs at bottom, but the middle excellent." -- Voltaire Current Tank Info: getting back into the hobby

11/30/2007, 11:36 AM	#4
gcfiend Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 546	Thanks for the quick response! __________________ Chris Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds. - B.M.

11/30/2007, 11:40 AM	#5
sjm817 On Yer left! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Northern VA Posts: 18,777	Also, if it is not a recirc skimmer, sump water level can affect foam level. What type of skimmer is it and does the water level of the sump change? __________________ - Scott

11/30/2007, 11:47 AM	#6
Jim_S Timo Boll Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 5,333	Depending n the skimmer, there is also the possibility that the skimmer is oversized. My skimmer doesn't "always" have foam bubbling out of the neck. However, when there enough organics available, the foam head will rise. I have an oversized skimmer for my application. On undersized skimmers, you'll see the opposite. There will always be foam because the skimmer is constantly trying to keep up with the organics. Skimmers are tricky little pieces of equipment. There are so many variables that can influence how they operate. Any info about your tank, livestock and the skimmer itself would help answer your question Cheers, Jim __________________ We will survive in this world of competition, shooting guns and our ammunition... Bradley Nowell Current Tank Info: We're recreating the ocean in our livings rooms. With that said, I've had some ups and downs.

11/30/2007, 12:37 PM	#7
gcfiend Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 546	Skimmer is a Top Fathom TF100A http://www.topfathom.com/Hobbiest.html Got it as a package deal. Runs on a MAG18. Sump level drops maybe 3 inches throughout the day due to evaporation (about 2 gallons) I top off daily at about 5 PM (i"ll see if I have less foam before the top off and compare afterward) Water level within the skimmer itself appears constant. I have a 90 with a 28Gal Sump\Fuge. 100 lbs of LR and 100Lbs of LS. I have about 35 SPS (all frags about 2 inches or less) and some softies and zoos. 10 snails, 5 hermits. Hippo tang - 3inches 6line wrasse 2 clowns neon cleaner goby mandarin LMK if you need more info. __________________ Chris Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, none but ourselves can free our minds. - B.M.