Can skimmer waste be clear?

[Auqaman]

Hi all,
About 2 1/2 weeks ago my skimmer water was dumping some clear water. I dialed the skimmer down thinking it shouldn’t be so clear.
About a week after dialing the skimmer down cyano showed up and my nem has retreated into itself. I’ve since realized my mistake and put the skimmer back to where I’ve had it for the past 10 months.
In the past 3 days I’ve taken out 10-15 of these buckets (see pic). And yes I’ve been adding salt to keep the salinity at par.
Is the skimmer still taking out the toxins if the water is so clear.
I haven’t tested the water yet because it wouldn’t change my course of action....which is to rid it out. But I don’t see and end in sight.
Thanks for the help.

 

[Dbichler]

I can’t imagine it’s taking much out if it’s that clear but can’t give you any for sure answer. Skimmate should be a brown green tea color or even darker.

 

[Auqaman]

Yea I’ve never seen it so clear.
It can’t be a coincidence that the skimmer starts pumping out waste and the anemone retreats at the same time. Neither one has ever acted like this.
I’m hoping someone has had a similar experience

 

[Dbichler]

Did you use any meds or chemicals lately

 

[BeMoto]

I would keep playing with your skimmer and get the skimate to have some color to it. Looks like your skimmer cup has some good stuff on it.

 

[Auqaman]

I haven’t done anything to the tank (other then weekly water changes) in months. The only chemical I put in is microbarer7.
Initially I did turn the skimmer down to get a darker substance. But then the cyano showed up and that’s when the nem retreated. I think he’s getting better. A couple days ago one of his tentacles was translucent.
The skimmer cup is filling every 45min and it’s still not at the setting it should be. Which is having the knob setting in the middle

 

[dbowman5]

can you check your nitrates and phosphate? when there are low levels macro suffers and cyano prospers. protein is oily not clear. have you cleaned the skimmer or checked it, the reason you can adjust it is to keep it from blowing bubbles up the cone. you want to capture the scum on the bubbles and have them burst before they go over into the cup. that allows the mostly water to return to the tank if the nitrate and phosphate are good is your overflow skimmer working properly to deliver the surface oil to the Protein Skimmer good luck!!

 

[Auqaman]

can you check your nitrates and phosphate? when there are low levels macro suffers and cyano prospers. protein is oily not clear. have you cleaned the skimmer or checked it, the reason you can adjust it is to keep it from blowing bubbles up the cone. you want to capture the scum on the bubbles and have them burst before they go over into the cup. that allows the mostly water to return to the tank if the nitrate and phosphate are good is your overflow skimmer working properly to deliver the surface oil to the Protein Skimmer good luck!!

I’ll check those when I get home and post. Thanks

 

[Poof No Eyebrows]

Just adjust your skimmer so the the bubbles are about an inch from the top. As organics build the little bubbles will turn big and frothy and start to overflow into the cup. If your getting clear product then the skimmer is set too high. Also skimmers don't always produce anything. Depends on the organics in your water.

 

[dbowman5]

but if adjusted correctly they add oxygen even when they do not export protein

 

[Dom]

Look at what is sticking to the side of the collection cup. That skimmer is working. There probably isn't much to take out of the water.

 

[Auqaman]

Just checked the nitrate and phosphates. Both are at zero.
There’s also this string algae that appeared the same time cyano showed up. I don’t think it’s dynos because it’s not snot looking. Any ideas what it is?
I wouldn’t be so worried if it wasn’t for the nem being so ticked off for the past week or so. He’s definitely mad for a reason.

 

[Dom]

Just checked the nitrate and phosphates. Both are at zero.
There’s also this string algae that appeared the same time cyano showed up. I don’t think it’s dynos because it’s not snot looking. Any ideas what it is?
I wouldn’t be so worried if it wasn’t for the nem being so ticked off for the past week or so. He’s definitely mad for a reason.

Nitrates and Phosphates aren't the reason you Nem may be unhappy. I would suggest you look at your alkalinity and pH.

 

[Auqaman]

Nitrates and Phosphates aren't the reason you Nem may be unhappy. I would suggest you look at your alkalinity and pH.

Thanks Dom.
Just checked;
Ph = 8.4
Alkalinity = 7.3
I’ve never dosed the tank. Just microbacter7. I’ve also dialed down the skimmer so it’s only filling every 4-5 hours. But it’s still trying to get something out.
Any thoughts?

 

[Dom]

Thanks Dom.
Just checked;
Ph = 8.4
Alkalinity = 7.3
I’ve never dosed the tank. Just microbacter7. I’ve also dialed down the skimmer so it’s only filling every 4-5 hours. But it’s still trying to get something out.
Any thoughts?

ALK of 7.3 is a bit lower than I like. I like to keep mine between 8-8.5dkh.

 

[Auqaman]

ALK of 7.3 is a bit lower than I like. I like to keep mine between 8-8.5dkh.

Thanks. I’ll try raising it to 8.0-8.5 to see if it helps.
My local fish store is closed today. I think soda ash and baking soda are the same thing? Can I just dissolve the proper amount of over the counter baking soda and add it?