Confused by how to adjust skimmer

Ghost25 · 08/09/2016, 12:10 PM

I just bought a used Aquamaxx HOB-1 skimmer. I cleaned it and installed it in my tank but I'm not exactly sure how I should be adjusting it.

How should I adjust the height of the collection cup? Right now it is full and water is returning to the skimmer body. Does this mean the collection cup is too low? Should I raise it until foam only overflows occasionally or will the gunk settle even when the cup is overflowing?

mcgyvr · 08/09/2016, 12:16 PM

http://www.f3images.com/IMD/UserManuals/UJ1151.pdf

Never used that model nor seen it but in general only the foam should travel up the neck and fall into the collection cup..
If its full of water/overflowing then dump it and raise the cup or adjust skimmer till only foam is going into the cup..
Some like "wetter skimmate" (more water in it but not overflowing at all) and some it so that its a much thicker "scum" in there..

Note break in period,etc.. see manual..

MarineDepot · 08/10/2016, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghost25

I just bought a used Aquamaxx HOB-1 skimmer. I cleaned it and installed it in my tank but I'm not exactly sure how I should be adjusting it.

How should I adjust the height of the collection cup? Right now it is full and water is returning to the skimmer body. Does this mean the collection cup is too low? Should I raise it until foam only overflows occasionally or will the gunk settle even when the cup is overflowing?

Skimmers do take 2-4 weeks to break in. During this period, you will want to set the collection cup as high as possible and allow the skimmer to break in.

After at least 2 weeks, you can then start to adjust the collection cup lower and lower: until you consistently get a medium green/brown colored skimmate. In most aquariums, the collection cup will fill every 1-2 weeks: depending on your bioload and how clean/dirty your water is.

Sk8r · 08/10/2016, 10:16 PM

Also if you are skimming 'wet' and have an ATO---watch your salinity. Test it often until that skimmer calms down and you aren't discarding so much water.

08/09/2016, 12:10 PM	#1
Ghost25 Registered Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 143	Confused by how to adjust skimmer I just bought a used Aquamaxx HOB-1 skimmer. I cleaned it and installed it in my tank but I'm not exactly sure how I should be adjusting it. How should I adjust the height of the collection cup? Right now it is full and water is returning to the skimmer body. Does this mean the collection cup is too low? Should I raise it until foam only overflows occasionally or will the gunk settle even when the cup is overflowing?

08/09/2016, 12:16 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	http://www.f3images.com/IMD/UserManuals/UJ1151.pdf Never used that model nor seen it but in general only the foam should travel up the neck and fall into the collection cup.. If its full of water/overflowing then dump it and raise the cup or adjust skimmer till only foam is going into the cup.. Some like "wetter skimmate" (more water in it but not overflowing at all) and some it so that its a much thicker "scum" in there.. Note break in period,etc.. see manual.. __________________ Who me?

08/10/2016, 10:16 PM	#4
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Also if you are skimming 'wet' and have an ATO---watch your salinity. Test it often until that skimmer calms down and you aren't discarding so much water. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.