Skimmer foam question....

ser_renely · 08/22/2008, 02:05 PM

So after having issues with skimming(oily water) I got things skimming pretty well. I noticed last night that now my skim is just foam? The foam comming into the collection cup is just that foam...it seemed to usually change to water.

What is this an indication of?

Urchin ultra with mag 3 and drain.

acrodave · 08/22/2008, 02:11 PM

sounds like its running right ..that is called dry skimming vs. wet

ser_renely · 08/22/2008, 02:12 PM

Ahhhhh, ok....makes sense. Still learning so was not too sure.

Can the skimate be too dry? and what makes it drier?

cveverly · 08/22/2008, 03:14 PM

You should be able to adjust your skimmate from dry to wet by raising or lowering the collection cup. I have not seen your skimmer but I assume lowering it will give a wetter skim.

acrodave · 08/22/2008, 03:21 PM

you have it backward lowering makes dry ... raiseing it makes wet

SWINGRRRR · 08/22/2008, 03:27 PM

I think cv has it right. Hes talking about the collection cup, not the water level.

acrodave · 08/22/2008, 03:29 PM

ahh i posted to fast... i have never moved the cup just the riser tube

ser_renely · 08/22/2008, 06:00 PM

will try lower the cup....thank you

Randy Holmes-Farley · 08/23/2008, 06:33 AM

Ahhhhh, ok....makes sense. Still learning so was not too sure.

Can the skimate be too dry? and what makes it drier?

Drier often means simply that more water is allowed to drain out of the foam before it is collected. That may be more efficient in terms of water use, but may allow the escape of some organics with the draining water. So it is a trade off. Some people use their skimmer as the export part of water changes, and try to change something like 1% per day with a wet skimmate export.

This may help you understand the skimming process more:

What is Skimming?
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-08/rhf/index.php

ser_renely · 08/23/2008, 08:48 AM

ty for the link

Randy Holmes-Farley · 08/24/2008, 07:19 AM

Good luck.

08/22/2008, 02:05 PM	#1
ser_renely Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,820	Skimmer foam question.... So after having issues with skimming(oily water) I got things skimming pretty well. I noticed last night that now my skim is just foam? The foam comming into the collection cup is just that foam...it seemed to usually change to water. What is this an indication of? Urchin ultra with mag 3 and drain.

08/22/2008, 02:11 PM	#2
acrodave REEF NERD Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: maryville tn-- work in knoxville Posts: 4,187	sounds like its running right ..that is called dry skimming vs. wet __________________ Peace,Dave Superman puts on Tim Tebow pajamas when he goes to bed The Heisman as a sophomore nuff said Less technology more biology Tattoos are the only art you can take to the grave Current Tank Info: 26gal bow,20gal mantis tank/fuge150wHQI,20k AB Seio 620 maxijet1200x's 2 on a wave maker. all sps

08/22/2008, 02:12 PM	#3
ser_renely Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,820	Ahhhhh, ok....makes sense. Still learning so was not too sure. Can the skimate be too dry? and what makes it drier? __________________ RIP: Osc. Clown - Ammonia, YW GobY - overflow, YW Goby - Pistol shrimp, Firefish - acclimation. 5 Fire fish - pistol shrimp, Mandarin - Pistol shrimp!!!!! Current Tank Info: 60g Cube, 15g sump/fuge,Tunze 9010 skimmer, Reefbreeders Photon 16" - 2 Osc. Clowns,2 Lyretail Anthias, Blue Chromis, mp20, mp10....another DAMN pistol shrimp!

08/22/2008, 03:21 PM	#5
acrodave REEF NERD Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: maryville tn-- work in knoxville Posts: 4,187	you have it backward lowering makes dry ... raiseing it makes wet __________________ Peace,Dave Superman puts on Tim Tebow pajamas when he goes to bed The Heisman as a sophomore nuff said Less technology more biology Tattoos are the only art you can take to the grave Current Tank Info: 26gal bow,20gal mantis tank/fuge150wHQI,20k AB Seio 620 maxijet1200x's 2 on a wave maker. all sps

08/22/2008, 03:27 PM	#6
SWINGRRRR Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Pcola FL Posts: 2,504	I think cv has it right. Hes talking about the collection cup, not the water level. __________________ Have you ever tried to hold a monkey still if it is not drunk ~ insteng Current Tank Info: 45gal Rimless mixed reef--SWC 150BMK--2xMP10ESW--Giesemann 150W HQI

08/22/2008, 03:14 PM	#4
cveverly Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Port Clinton, Oh Posts: 1,470	You should be able to adjust your skimmate from dry to wet by raising or lowering the collection cup. I have not seen your skimmer but I assume lowering it will give a wetter skim.

08/22/2008, 03:29 PM	#7
acrodave REEF NERD Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: maryville tn-- work in knoxville Posts: 4,187	ahh i posted to fast... i have never moved the cup just the riser tube __________________ Peace,Dave Superman puts on Tim Tebow pajamas when he goes to bed The Heisman as a sophomore nuff said Less technology more biology Tattoos are the only art you can take to the grave Current Tank Info: 26gal bow,20gal mantis tank/fuge150wHQI,20k AB Seio 620 maxijet1200x's 2 on a wave maker. all sps

08/22/2008, 06:00 PM	#8
ser_renely Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,820	will try lower the cup....thank you __________________ RIP: Osc. Clown - Ammonia, YW GobY - overflow, YW Goby - Pistol shrimp, Firefish - acclimation. 5 Fire fish - pistol shrimp, Mandarin - Pistol shrimp!!!!! Current Tank Info: 60g Cube, 15g sump/fuge,Tunze 9010 skimmer, Reefbreeders Photon 16" - 2 Osc. Clowns,2 Lyretail Anthias, Blue Chromis, mp20, mp10....another DAMN pistol shrimp!

08/23/2008, 06:33 AM	#9
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Ahhhhh, ok....makes sense. Still learning so was not too sure. Can the skimate be too dry? and what makes it drier? Drier often means simply that more water is allowed to drain out of the foam before it is collected. That may be more efficient in terms of water use, but may allow the escape of some organics with the draining water. So it is a trade off. Some people use their skimmer as the export part of water changes, and try to change something like 1% per day with a wet skimmate export. This may help you understand the skimming process more: What is Skimming? http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-08/rhf/index.php __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef

08/23/2008, 08:48 AM	#10
ser_renely Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,820	ty for the link __________________ RIP: Osc. Clown - Ammonia, YW GobY - overflow, YW Goby - Pistol shrimp, Firefish - acclimation. 5 Fire fish - pistol shrimp, Mandarin - Pistol shrimp!!!!! Current Tank Info: 60g Cube, 15g sump/fuge,Tunze 9010 skimmer, Reefbreeders Photon 16" - 2 Osc. Clowns,2 Lyretail Anthias, Blue Chromis, mp20, mp10....another DAMN pistol shrimp!

08/24/2008, 07:19 AM	#11
Randy Holmes-Farley Reef Chemist Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Arlington, Massachusetts Posts: 86,233	Good luck. __________________ Randy Holmes-Farley Current Tank Info: 120 mixed reef