How to tune a protein skimmer

[Calireefer92]

How do I tune a aquamax fc 80 protein skimmer

 

[Diesel]

Is this a new skimmer?

 

[Calireefer92]

I’ve had it running for over a month and I don’t know if I have it tuned right!

 

[ZoWhat]

Skimmers take time to breakin. Foamy air bubbles should just barely make it up and over the lip when they pop

 

[Diesel]

Can you post a picture?

 

[User1]

Skimmers take time to breakin. Foamy air bubbles should just barely make it up and over the lip when they pop

What was that REO Speedwagon album now...you can tune a fork but not a fish? Something like that anyway. That is what came to mind with that picture.

 

[Calireefer92]

Can you post a picture?

 

[40B Knasty]

That looks good to me. Except the metal screws at the bottom of the skimmer.

 

[ZaneTer]

Get rid of the screws and the hex bolt in the air intake. Probably just try to find every metal screw/bolt/nut/washer etc and keep it as far away from your tank as possible. You could end up with a lot of problems if you don’t.

Hope this helps
Zane

 

[Retro Reefer]

Think the screws on those skimmers are titanium

 

[Ron Reefman]

If they aren't rusting, they aren't a problem. IMHO even if they rust, it's a bigger problem for your future attempts to take the skimmer apart to clean than it is for the tank. People use GFO in reactors all the time, it's just sophisticated rust. And I add iron supplements to my water to help algae grow (per Randy Holmes Farley... thank you).

 

[Diesel]

In order to fine tune your skimmer you see a Knop next to your venturi, by dialing that clock wise you will increase the skimming by more bubbles/wet skimming or less higher bubbles/ dry skimming.

 

[Calireefer92]

Get rid of the screws and the hex bolt in the air intake. Probably just try to find every metal screw/bolt/nut/washer etc and keep it as far away from your tank as possible. You could end up with a lot of problems if you don’t.

Hope this helps
Zane

The skimmer came with the screws

 

[Diesel]

The screws are stainless.
Don’t worry about them.

 

[Calireefer92]

The screws are stainless.
Don’t worry about them.

I’m having to empty the collection cup every 2 days. Should I turn it down or is that normal for the size of the protein skimmer I have?

 

[Jeremy Luke]

From the looks of your pictures the skimmate you are collecting is not very concentrated. I would dial back your skimmer some (open the opening in the sump more). The skimmate will darken and the volume you collect every day will reduce.

The skimmate I collect is almost black in color and I have to empty the cup about once a week.