Having trouble setting up skimmer

holden_smith · Dec 10, 2015

I was wondering if the rubber tubing was supposed to be in the water in the sump or outside sucking up air

rayn · Dec 10, 2015

Rubber tubing is usually to pull air in.

holden_smith · Dec 10, 2015

Thank you, and should the foam be hitting the top of the neck or the top of the cup?

holden_smith · Dec 10, 2015

W

ImageUploadedByREEF2REEF1449798936.327032.jpg

Is this good or should the foam getting higher

Whatnow · Dec 10, 2015

That's very good level some run a little lower for a dry skim but I run mine about where yours is.

holden_smith · Dec 10, 2015

It's filling with water pretty fast is that okay? @Whatnow

traumajeff · Dec 10, 2015

Brand new....? Run it like it is for now. It'll take a bit to break in. Some people just take the lid off and let it overflow for the first day or so until it settles down. Biggest mistake I made when I started, was not to account for changing water levels due to evap in the sump (I don't have an ATO). I was constantly tweaking it, and never realized that my issues were due to not being within the recommended water height.

Whatnow · Dec 10, 2015

Ist his a new skimmer? I had problems with my Esshops psk100 skimmer filling all the way to the top of my cup and not being able to turn it down so I raised my skimmer up an inch and was abler to bring the level down to the base of the top cup. If its new it will go crazy for several hours an you really need to keep an eye on it and keep adjusting the level- be wary that only need to turn fractions at a time even though it looks to react fast it doesn't and will continue to change for several minutes after adjustment..

Whatnow · Dec 10, 2015

also some medications and the additive Prime makes skimmers go crazy

holden_smith · Dec 10, 2015

What does prime do[emoji51]

Whatnow · Dec 10, 2015

its a water conditioner that helps get rid of chlorine and gives the fish some help with their slime coat.

holden_smith · Dec 11, 2015

I mean what happens to the skimmer when using it

twilliard · Dec 11, 2015

It may overflow.
Adjust your water level till you reach the foam production you want.
Also make sure its in your first section to avoid water level changes.
Clean the air intake with your routing equipment cleaning

tlowery070 · Dec 11, 2015

I have the eshopps psk hob 100 and I have noticed that lowering down the foam piece helps with raising and lowering water flow too.

Jlobes · Dec 11, 2015

traumajeff said:
Brand new....? Run it like it is for now. It'll take a bit to break in. Some people just take the lid off and let it overflow for the first day or so until it settles down. Biggest mistake I made when I started, was not to account for changing water levels due to evap in the sump (I don't have an ATO). I was constantly tweaking it, and never realized that my issues were due to not being within the recommended water height.

Im not sure how your sump is designed, but the level in the skimmer section should be stable and never fluctuate. the evap, usually affects the return area which is isolated from and sits lower than the skimmer section with a baffle. Im guessing its a DIY sump, but you may want to consider "fixing" that....

markshimala · Dec 11, 2015

traumajeff said:
Brand new....? Run it like it is for now. It'll take a bit to break in. Some people just take the lid off and let it overflow for the first day or so until it settles down. Biggest mistake I made when I started, was not to account for changing water levels due to evap in the sump (I don't have an ATO). I was constantly tweaking it, and never realized that my issues were due to not being within the recommended water height.

The water level should stay the same in the skimmer area of the sump. The water level lowers in the return area. That is where I have mine marked and do my top offs.

traumajeff · Dec 11, 2015

Jlobes said:
Im not sure how your sump is designed, but the level in the skimmer section should be stable and never fluctuate. the evap, usually affects the return area which is isolated from and sits lower than the skimmer section with a baffle. Im guessing its a DIY sump, but you may want to consider "fixing" that....

Well... I have an old sump. I can't say that there really is a design to it lol. My "skimmer section" isn't big enough for my skimmer. The bulk of my sump is open and that's where I have my return and skimmer, hence the fluctuation in water level.

Jlobes · Dec 11, 2015

traumajeff said:
Well... I have an old sump. I can't say that there really is a design to it lol. My "skimmer section" isn't big enough for my skimmer. The bulk of my sump is open and that's where I have my return and skimmer, hence the fluctuation in water level.

yup, that makes sense. think about a redesign. you really want the water level in the skimmer section to stay constant.

traumajeff · Dec 11, 2015

Jlobes said:
yup, that makes sense. think about a redesign. you really want the water level in the skimmer section to stay constant.

Oh.... I know! I really want a 6 foot, custom sump! lol. I'm in the process of upgrading to a 240g and a new sump is next on the list. I don't think the custom will be a reality though.

I know a lot of us have older stuff like mine, or just DIY it.... this is why I recommended checking. I've seen some creative stuff out there!

I actually have two of the same sumps plumbed together... one for mechanical and the other as a fuge. It's been dubbed the "Franken-sump". Definitely not pretty, but I does the job! (Minus the level fluctuations lol)

Jlobes · Dec 11, 2015

for sure, DIY is not the issue. my old sump was DIY from a regular tank and glass panels. Just recently upgraded to a pre-made unit from synergy, and couldnt be happier. super nice and well worth the money. Just picked up and ATO resi and acclimation box on the BF sale.

if ya wanna go custom, there are definitely a few produces here on R2R, hit em up. Im sure they can work with ya. elite aquatics, advanced acrylics, and a few others. Id suggest synergy, but theyre kinda outta the custom market, but worth contacting them.