Issues with new skimmer

Soumya Ghosh · Jun 23, 2018

Hi,
I have a 7 months old 150 gallon tank, where I was using a protein skimmer which was skimming decently....but it seemed to me that it was a bit less powerful. Hence i decided to go for a new powerful skimmer from Skimz Monzter SM 207. Its has been a week now, but the skimmer is not performing as i expected.
Suppose i adjust the skimmer and then wait for sometime, i see foaming at the top of the collection cup. But when i stop the skimmer and other equipments for feeding my fish/corals, then when the skimmer start after feeding time is over, it doesnt foam. Waited for 4-5 hrs but still it doesnt start foaming. Again if i adjust and see some foaming, keep it that way and come back after couple of hours....i see the skimmer overflowing.
Not able to understand what could be the issue.
Kindly help!!!
Please do let me know if u need more info on this. Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Soumya

Erica-Renee · Jun 23, 2018

First i think your skimmer is not broken in yet.. But

Turn the dc Controller to half way.. Open the exit gate to half way... Close the air control valve on the Muffler and turn it open about 3/4 turn .
Start the skimmer.. The objective is to get the air bubbles mid way in the neck between the body and collection cup at this time.. Let the skimmer run 30 minutes or so..
If its higher then the neck lower the speed on the pump a bit.. or open the discharge gate .
Once you have the skimmer running consistently in this area leave it alone and do not worry about it not producing foam for about a week.. Fine tune it by closing and opening the Air valve in the muffler air input ...

This is how i adjust my Skimz Skimmer..... I would NOT TURN it off for feeding.. If feeding causes your skimmer to over flow your feeding to much or not draining the liquid out of your Frozen food cubes .. Never put that liquid in your tank. its PURE NUTRIENTS ...

Soumya Ghosh · Jun 23, 2018

Erica-Renee said:
First i think your skimmer is not broken in yet.. But

Turn the dc Controller to half way.. Open the exit gate to half way... Close the air control valve on the Muffler and turn it open about 3/4 turn .
Start the skimmer.. The objective is to get the air bubbles mid way in the neck between the body and collection cup at this time.. Let the skimmer run 30 minutes or so..
If its higher then the neck lower the speed on the pump a bit.. or open the discharge gate .
Once you have the skimmer running consistently in this area leave it alone and do not worry about it not producing foam for about a week.. Fine tune it by closing and opening the Air valve in the muffler air input ...

This is how i adjust my Skimz Skimmer..... I would NOT TURN it off for feeding.. If feeding causes your skimmer to over flow your feeding to much or not draining the liquid out of your Frozen food cubes .. Never put that liquid in your tank. its PURE NUTRIENTS ...

Thanks for your reply. I will do the same as you mentioned, but i turn of the skimmer because the water level rises in the sump, as i turn of wave makers and return pumps during feeding. So rise in water level of the sump causes the skimmer to overflow.

How much time it take for the skimmer to break in?? Its already a week now.[emoji12]

Erica-Renee · Jun 23, 2018

Soumya Ghosh said:
Thanks for your reply. I will do the same as you mentioned, but i turn of the skimmer because the water level rises in the sump, as i turn of wave makers and return pumps during feeding. So rise in water level of the sump causes the skimmer to overflow.

How much time it take for the skimmer to break in?? Its already a week now.[emoji12]

AHH Then there is another issue at hand....

Your skimmer MUST be in a Chamber in your sump that has a Maintained water level... It should not be in the same chamber as your return pump and should not raise or lower bases on Return pump running or Evaporation...

a skimmer can take a few days to a week to settle in.. I Always run them in a bucket with vinegar and water solution before putting them into service and do not touch the inside of them with my hands. they need to build up a bio film on them and get Dirty before they work efficiently

in the mean time do not turn off your return pump and be sure your skimmer water level is Correct as par the manufacture specs and NEVER Changes. This is most likely your inconstancy issues . They are a fined tuned instrument and need stable conditions..

Hope this helps

Soumya Ghosh · Jun 23, 2018

Erica-Renee said:
AHH Then there is another issue at hand....

Your skimmer MUST be in a Chamber in your sump that has a Maintained water level... It should not be in the same chamber as your return pump and should not raise or lower bases on Return pump running or Evaporation...

a skimmer can take a few days to a week to settle in.. I Always run them in a bucket with vinegar and water solution before putting them into service and do not touch the inside of them with my hands. they need to build up a bio film on them and get Dirty before they work efficiently

in the mean time do not turn off your return pump and be sure your skimmer water level is Correct as par the manufacture specs and NEVER Changes. This is most likely your inconstancy issues . They are a fined tuned instrument and need stable conditions..

Hope this helps

Thanks a lot for the info...i will check what i can do with having a constant water level in the skimmer chamber