Protein Skimmer Help

[Anthony Malagisi]

Hey everyone so yesterday I got a a used Marineland 100 protein skimmer and I put it in and got it running but I seem to be having 2 issues. First it's making a type of sound as if it's pulling crazy amounts of air in which makes it kind of loud, like a woushing sound almost. I've read people say it should be silent. Second it only seems to be producing white micro bubbles from the top I haven't seen any brown nasty stuff start to build up. Although I did read this could take 4 to 5 days I just want to make sure something isn't clogged or not working correctly

 

[Diesel]

Skimmers have to break in after they haven't been used for a while or are brand new.
Got a pic of the skimmer?
It might be missing the silencer.

 

[Anthony Malagisi]

Skimmers have to break in after they haven't been used for a while or are brand new.
Got a pic of the skimmer?
It might be missing the silencer.

It's kinda hard to see in this picture

That's the white micro bubbles

That's the hole setup

I'm so limited on space,, I should have made this dang stand bigger hahaha

 

[Diesel]

Is this a FOWLR setup?
Can't see your air intake

 

[Anthony Malagisi]

Is this a FOWLR setup?
Can't see your air intake

It is FOWLR right now but I do intend to get coral at some point I just bought a new t5 light setup so in time there will be coral

Here is picture if the intake and and muffler

Also a shot from the manual

I'll also attached the manual pdf

 

[Diesel]

Ok. let it break in for a few days and you will see the the bubbles getting finer and you will see also some skim on top of the foam.
Did you test for nutrients?

 

[Anthony Malagisi]

Ok. let it break in for a few days and you will see the the bubbles getting finer and you will see also some skim on top of the foam.
Did you test for nutrients?

No I've only tested the pH, nitrates, phosphates, and salinity

 

[Diesel]

What are the results?
Test again this afternoon.

 

[Anthony Malagisi]

What are the results?
Test again this afternoon.

pH was 8.3 nitrate were around 10ppm
Phosphate was .25ppm and salinity was a bit high 1.027

I will definitely check again today after work

Is it normal for there to be loads of bubbles on my display tank

 

[Anthony Malagisi]

Just checked the levels in my tank and all looks good

pH 8.2
Nitrate 0
Phosphate .25ppm
Salinity 1.027

 

[DeepBlueSomething]

The micro bubbles to your display can be typical with a skimmer - though I don't know much about yours in particular. Also can't figure out where your return is relative to the skimmer - google your skimmer and bubbles - bubble traps and or sponges can help.

Also as Diesel said, letting it break in can change things as well. Give it a bit of time and see where it goes - my tank just over a month running and I have seen a steady progression in the skimmer bubbles and skimmate.

Sounds and looks like it is doing the right things so far