dairon52
Community Member
Any advice on how to set up this skimmer I am having a very difficult time setting it up. Sometimes it works good and other times it doesn't make bubbles or it overflows its a new system for me.
AquaC skimmer help.
- Thread starter dairon52
- Start date
- Tagged users None
mcarroll
10K Club member
They can be very touchy at first - "new skimmer syndrome". Tune it so it runs, but doesn't flood. After a month or less (could be a day or two) it's performance should be smoother and more consistent.
Even then, make small adjustments when you are adjusting it and try not to make more than one adjustment per day.
It's wise to make your adjustments based on the skimmate produced vs the current performance of the skimmer at a given moment.
Can you post a photo of your installation?
-Matt
Even then, make small adjustments when you are adjusting it and try not to make more than one adjustment per day.
It's wise to make your adjustments based on the skimmate produced vs the current performance of the skimmer at a given moment.
Can you post a photo of your installation?
-Matt
juggalogentry
Active Member
im having some troubles starting my seaclone as well but i think it just needs to create a biofilm the bubbles can stick to and climb up the inner neck of the collection chamber, until then you can use a sponge (like a algae sponge for example) to catch the water before it re enters the tank if bubbles are shooting out. also make sure the water line is just at the bottom of the collection neck, any more and your just skimming clear water
I find that the large air valve on my EV-240 is very sensitive. So, I inserted a small length of hard tubing into the small opening provided for ozone and/or calcium effluent and put a small air valve on the end of the tube. I use this for a more fine air flow control. I'll post a pic once I get home. Not all models of Aqua-C have this additional opening.
I suggest running the skimmer pretty wide open, and just let the effluent run back into the system for a couple days. This will allow a film to develop and help to break the skimmer in. Then, route the effluent out of the system, but tune the air input/bubbles down so that your not capturing any output. Then, make tiny adjustments daily to the air input and overall water level using the supplied gate valve, until you are producing skimmate. Then, don't touch it.
My experience is that certain things will cause the foaming to increase, or decrease altogether - like cleaning, or feeding. I think it's important not to chase these reactions by making adjustments to the reactor, because when things return to their "normal" state, you'll either be producing too much, or not enough skimmate. I have mine adjusted to produce as dark and thick of a skimmate as possible. I also find that my sump water level affects skimmer performance as well, and that I must maintain the water level on-center with the gate valve output.
Hope this helps. I have nothing to compare it to, but think the Aqua-C skimmers rock.
I suggest running the skimmer pretty wide open, and just let the effluent run back into the system for a couple days. This will allow a film to develop and help to break the skimmer in. Then, route the effluent out of the system, but tune the air input/bubbles down so that your not capturing any output. Then, make tiny adjustments daily to the air input and overall water level using the supplied gate valve, until you are producing skimmate. Then, don't touch it.
My experience is that certain things will cause the foaming to increase, or decrease altogether - like cleaning, or feeding. I think it's important not to chase these reactions by making adjustments to the reactor, because when things return to their "normal" state, you'll either be producing too much, or not enough skimmate. I have mine adjusted to produce as dark and thick of a skimmate as possible. I also find that my sump water level affects skimmer performance as well, and that I must maintain the water level on-center with the gate valve output.
Hope this helps. I have nothing to compare it to, but think the Aqua-C skimmers rock.
Last edited:
juggalogentry
Active Member
so your air intake valve is almost closed? how much skimmate is it producing? what color is the stuff its collecting? you said a new system are you referring to the skimmer or the tank? if its the tank that's new, how new? whats your livestock list?
OP
OP
dairon52
Community Member
The skimmer is new it was collecting before and it was a lime green color but then it stop. My tank is been running for 5-6 months now and is not over sock 7 fish in total. I bought the skimmer used if that helps.
juggalogentry
Active Member
ok so your tanks been going with fish long enough for sure then, did you clean it before using it yourself or just throw it on? if you cleaned it then it will still need to break in. How long have you had it running now? is there anything collecting, if so what color is it? if its dark muck its doing its job and this is referred to as dry skimming , if it looks like its collecting a tea colored liquid this is called wet skimming. what you want your skimmer to do depends on what your trying to do with it, but dry skimming is usually what your shooting for unless your trying to do some heavy duty removal, in which case wet skim, but watch both your water and salinity as it will fluctuate with wet skimming not to mention it will start dumping once its full either on your floor or back into the tank
juggalogentry
Active Member
looking good, although still fairly "new", a good word of advice i was given and ill pass on to you, is when you go to clean the cup, try n leave the inner neck be and don't clean it (unless of course its insanely dirty, to the point where it affects the performance) , that way you wont have to go thru another "break in period"
mcarroll
10K Club member
Under almost all circumstances, sooner or later, you'll get a brown buildup at/above the foam line.
Buildup kills skimming performance, so you'll want to clean the skimmer and neck to keep it as clean as you can.
The key to cleaning the neck is just not to get your fingerprints - which carry oils (and maybe other stuff) - on the inside. Just handle the exterior and use a scrubbie or acrylic-safe algae pad on the inside with running tap water.
Whether you empty the skimmate bucket every time or not (it will get stinky), I'd plan to give the skimmer at least a minimal cleaning as close to daily as you can...weekly at minimum. Whatever in there is most practical for you.
Maintenance cycles beyond that result in decreased performance...critters can even start living and breeding in there if you leave a dirty skimmer too long!FWIW, I kept a long-handle soft-bristle brush like this next to the tank and very often scrubbed out the neck in-place without moving the skimmer cup:
Last edited:
