Help me! I can't tune this skimmer!

[Tank.Bro!]

Okay so I got a Red Sea skimmer two or three weeks ago. I've ran it on and off because I didn't want to run it that early. Now I have nitrates so I'm trying to remove them. I've just finished the cycle but I can't tune my Red Sea prizm skimmer. It only has one valve that allows more water flow. I have tried to move it to get skim but all I get is water... What am I doing wrong??? I can't ever get skimmers to work. I want to cry!

Where am I supposed to put the bubbles?!

 

[zesty]

I don't have this skimmer, so I can't give you a place water line here, answer. However, you'll want to adjust your bubbles low and bring them up by adjusting your dial, slowly. Then stop, wait 5 minutes and let the skimmer settle. Then repeat. What I go for is to get the larger bubbles to be popping on the lid of the skimmer cup. Then check it every half-hour, then every hour for the rest of the night!

I'm assuming the skimmer has been broken in? You said you've ran it, but for how long? You may see a difference in a few days/week. But keep checking it at these early stages to make sure it's not fluctuating out of control.

Hope this helps.

 

[Tank.Bro!]

Well I have only ran it for like 2 days in time overall

 

[jt17]

Well I have only ran it for like 2 days in time overall

Still needs time to break in. It can take a week or 2 to start pulling out good skimate.

 

[Tank.Bro!]

The problem is when I run it to break in should I run it on a power flow or attempt at skimmate because my cup just fills with water.

 

[zesty]

Well I have only ran it for like 2 days in time overall

ok, got ya. It looks like you have bubbles going. I would run them low in your bubble chamber 24/7 for the next few days. Checking on it everyday, of course. Then you will either see skimmate building up or a change in water level.
Then just re-adjust and watch.

What I look for is after 24 hours, a small amount of skimmate in my collection cup. But that's how I run my skimmer, a bit on the dry side. Some run more wet skimmate. This will be something you'll figure out in time with your tank/skimmer.

I would keep your skimmer on pretty much 99% of the time from here on out. It's a great way to aerate your tank water.

 

[Tank.Bro!]

Thanks I'll go turn it on now! So much help!

 

[zesty]

This is HOB, correct?

 

[Tank.Bro!]

Yeah here's a pic of how low I'm running it.

It's about half an inch below the oring

 

[zesty]

Looks good!

 

[Tank.Bro!]

Okay so in a few day will there be skim in the collection cup or just in the tubing and after that what do I do?

 

[Tank.Bro!]

Bumo

 

[zesty]

Okay so in a few day will there be skim in the collection cup or just in the tubing and after that what do I do?

in a few days or even tomorrow (if your skimmer is broken in) you will see some skimmate in the neck. Basically, you'll notice a line where the smaller bubbles pop is the start of the skum. Just clean that out, then fire it back up and adjust up towards the top at that point. Then you'll be looking for your final setting.

 

[Tank.Bro!]

Well I left this sucker to run for a whole day and I had a little brown line in the neck but it was so small. Also I don't have any fish yet is that a problem I don't have any thing for it to skim except nitrates from my starting cycle.

 

[zesty]

I'm assuming you plan on putting fish in there soon? You said your cycle has completed.

I would start with one or two fish and a CUC and then your skimmer will be kickin. Do not add a lot of fish at once.

 

[Tank.Bro!]

I'm only adding a sixline wrasse to my tank. And cuc will be some snails and

 

[Tank.Bro!]

A emerald crab

 

[Tank.Bro!]

So I got some skim last night in my little skimmer neck thing so I started to move the bubbles got this to a level it's been like this since 3:15 is it good I have the bubbles just barely touching the lid about every 1-2 min

Ah just adjusted a bit now I have a little cloud lol here is this better?

No water is in collection cup I haven't seen any legit skim.,