My 30 gal. Jbj rl has arrived !!

Chrisfish · Feb 2, 2016

I tried to add it to the middle chamber but it wouldn't fit, so I have put it in one of the filter chambers, which there are 2, and of course I know when they are new it takes a little while but I'm not sure the water level is enough. I don't know why but I have always had problems with protein skimmers. :mad: Thanks for any help!!!

melypr1985 · Feb 2, 2016

Chrisfish said:
I tried to add it to the middle chamber but it wouldn't fit, so I have put it in one of the filter chambers, which there are 2, and of course I know when they are new it takes a little while but I'm not sure the water level is enough. I don't know why but I have always had problems with protein skimmers. :mad: Thanks for any help!!!

I've had this skimmer before. It will make an odd noise if the water level isn't high enough. It also needs tuning at the beginning and a while to break in. You'll probably have to mess with the air adjustment several times during the break in period to get it just right. It may also produce a lot of micro bubbles until it breaks in. Mine did this also and it took a bit for it to stop. I ended up building a sump to put it in because it drove me nuts.... of course mine, at the time, was in the display itself which I just couldn't abide by, so that will make a difference in your experience with it and mine.

If it's not making the odd noise and you have it tuned for the moment to skim properly, then just leave it alone for a couple days. Keep an eye on it so it doesn't overflow (more tuning).

Chrisfish · Feb 2, 2016

melypr1985 said:
I've had this skimmer before. It will make an odd noise if the water level isn't high enough. It also needs tuning at the beginning and a while to break in. You'll probably have to mess with the air adjustment several times during the break in period to get it just right. It may also produce a lot of micro bubbles until it breaks in. Mine did this also and it took a bit for it to stop. I ended up building a sump to put it in because it drove me nuts.... of course mine, at the time, was in the display itself which I just couldn't abide by, so that will make a difference in your experience with it and mine.

If it's not making the odd noise and you have it tuned for the moment to skim properly, then just leave it alone for a couple days. Keep an eye on it so it doesn't overflow (more tuning).

Thank you , I will do just as you say, I'm just really nervous but so excited about this tank , an additional 20 + gallons from my old one is a little nerve racking.

cameronh · Feb 2, 2016

Chrisfish said:
Thank you , I will do just as you say, I'm just really nervous but so excited about this tank , an additional 20 + gallons from my old one is a little nerve racking.

Don't feel so nervous, it's not so bad, I jumped from 3 gallons to 120 gallons

the bigger they are the easier they are.... (to a certain point)

Chrisfish · Feb 2, 2016

cameronh said:
Don't feel so nervous, it's not so bad, I jumped from 3 gallons to 120 gallons the bigger they are the easier they are.... (to a certain point)

Thanks! I was just viewing your thread, it looks great!!!

cameronh · Feb 2, 2016

Chrisfish said:
Thanks! I was just viewing your thread, it looks great!!!

Thanks again! Lol

melypr1985 · Feb 2, 2016

I was just about to say that the extra 20 gallons should be a bit of a relief! More water to dilute any mistakes

It's going to work out great for you and it's a good start for sure!

Chrisfish · Feb 2, 2016

melypr1985 said:
I was just about to say that the extra 20 gallons should be a bit of a relief! More water to dilute any mistakes It's going to work out great for you and it's a good start for sure!

Thanks for that confidence booster! I really need it, I really love this hobby and my sea creatures.

redfishbluefish · Feb 2, 2016

Chrisfish said:
.......... but I'm not sure the water level is enough.........

I have the Tunze 9004 skimmer as well, and there is a mark on the back-side for the correct water depth.

You can see that line just above the upper magnet:

Chrisfish · Feb 2, 2016

redfishbluefish said:
I have the Tunze 9004 skimmer as well, and there is a mark on the back-side for the correct water depth.

You can see that line just above the upper magnet:

Thanks, I swear mine looks a little different but it does have a water level mark, if I have to take it off I will take a picture. I have a sneaking suspicion that it was a return , bought it off amazon. But if it works that's ok. Do you mind me asking what type and size tank do you have?

redfishbluefish · Feb 2, 2016

Chrisfish said:
Thanks, I swear mine looks a little different but it does have a water level mark, if I have to take it off I will take a picture. I have a sneaking suspicion that it was a return , bought it off amazon. But if it works that's ok. Do you mind me asking what type and size tank do you have?

I have the skimmer in a JBJ28....with an actual canopy.....not that little plastic canopy that comes with the tank. That's how I'm able to fit the skimmer in the tank. I originally had the the Tunze 9002, but not only was I not crazy about it (difficult to clean), but I had to cut the magnets off to fit in the center section of back side of the tank. I wasn't going to do that, and since I was now going into the tank with the skimmer, I went with the 9004. I like it.

Here's the canopy:

And here is the skimmer....back left corner of the tank:

Chrisfish · Feb 2, 2016

Looks really good , my concern is the water level, in my DT its fine but in the "sump" area which is behind the DT I'm not sure it's enough.

Chrisfish · Feb 3, 2016

Well I don't want to jinx things but so far all is doing really good

I've got the skimmer in the first chamber and I hear it foaming but I still think the water level is to low but I'm looking at the tunze ATO , another stress magnet. I really like my kessil 160, don't think I need to upgrade to the 360 yet, maybe just get another 160, or an a1 prime? The micro bubbles have pretty much stopped, thanks to all of you who said have patients and go slow . I will post more pictures soon. Thanks for everyone's help , and looking at this thread.

Any suggestions are highly appreciated.

cameronh · Feb 3, 2016

Chrisfish said:
Well I don't want to jinx things but so far all is doing really good I've got the skimmer in the first chamber and I hear it foaming but I still think the water level is to low but I'm looking at the tunze ATO , another stress magnet. I really like my kessil 160, don't think I need to upgrade to the 360 yet, maybe just get another 160, or an a1 prime? The micro bubbles have pretty much stopped, thanks to all of you who said have patients and go slow . I will post more pictures soon. Thanks for everyone's help , and looking at this thread. Any suggestions are highly appreciated.

Glad things are doing well! I would stick with kessil

although I'm sure Ai is fine, I just like the kessils more. They are really growing stuff for me

Chrisfish · Feb 3, 2016

cameronh said:
Glad things are doing well! I would stick with kessil although I'm sure Ai is fine, I just like the kessils more. They are really growing stuff for me

Do you have the 160 tuna blue or the 360? Kessil I mean? How many do you have?