Protein skimmer help

Chrisrych · Jan 30, 2013

I bought a protein skimmer off of amazon and it was broken, so I had them send me another, the skimmer is not working right. When I hook it up the foam does not even come close to reaching the collection cup and not much foam is even being formed, also it is putting out tons of micro bubbles that make the water look very cloudy. What should I do?

Downbeach · Jan 30, 2013

What brand is it? What is the depth of water its sitting in? Do you have a picture of it?

swannyson7 · Jan 30, 2013

A lot of skimmers require time to break in before they'll skim effectively (I know it may sound rediculous, but it's true). What type of skimmer is it?

Chrisrych · Jan 30, 2013

This is all I know about the skimmer is what's in this link, check it out.

Aquarium Fish Tank Protein Skimmer Filter 180 with Pump:Amazon

et Supplies

ReeferBob · Jan 30, 2013

That protein skimmer is a complete point of sale, you get what you pay for.

Chrisrych · Jan 30, 2013

Is their anyway I can make it work right and better?

ReeferBob · Jan 30, 2013

I doubt it will ever do much better. That small external air pump doesn't do much. Since the air input is so far away from the body, it will be hard to get good fractination going. It will probably start working better once it breaks in. Skimmers need to develop a bacterial coating on the parts to operate efficiently. I'd send it back and get a better one.

Chrisrych · Jan 30, 2013

It has a power head that goes in the tank though and you control to air by a valve but are those biocube skimmers good?

danka-cedium · Jan 30, 2013

it kind of looks like some sort of hob skimmer, but not quite.

Chrisrych · Jan 30, 2013

I'm just trying to get the dam thing to work Haha I rather not buy a new one

caudill187 · Jan 30, 2013

Yeah you will probably never get top-notch performance out of that skimmer, but it may be better than nothing. I would suggest sending it back and spending around $60 more to get at least a reef octopus HOB Skimmer, depending on what size tank you have.

That being said. That skimmer is probably better than nothing, if its the only option. As it breaks in, you should be able to adjust the water and air levels some, and get some skimmate. If you can, adjust it so that the leading edge of the bubbles in the neck comes a few inches below the top, see what happens.

Downbeach · Jan 30, 2013

It looks like a SeaClone knock off, which is a hang on back. The seaclone didn't work very well, so I doubt you'll have any better luck with its knock off, but good luck.

byronious · Jan 30, 2013

Are you using this skmmer in a sump or hob? Have you played with the air adjustment nozzle? Grip the black piece on the end of the airline tubing & rotate the end. (Not sure, you may have already done this.

If in the sump, what is the water level. Bottom of the skimmer the water level inside skimmer when skimmer is unplugged. I seem to remember 8 1/2-9 inches when I had a very similar unit.

Here is a link to a modestly priced skimmer that I use & recommend for you if you have a sump.
Protein Skimmer

danka-cedium · Jan 30, 2013

Let it run for a few days. Cant hurt anything. Make sure you keep an eye on it.

Sent from my DROIDX using Reef2Reef Aquarium Forum mobile app

ZIGGY63 · Feb 1, 2013

Here is the best advice just get rid of it. that was one of my first skimmers; it took three weeks to break in. also after doing the modifications it still was no good. the one time i though i had everthing right and skimming great. i left the house for awhile and when i came back a quarter of my tank water was in the floor.

mike007 · Feb 2, 2013

Sometimes if you wash it out with warm water it will help. Don't skimp on protein skimmers, very inportant piece of equipment. I run the remora with a mag 3 and it works great.