Protein Skimmer never full

[ShaunPReefer]

Hi everyone. I started a new 60 gallon tank in January. I constantly have nitrate issues (over 90), and even with water changes they don't go down. I am now assuming my protein skimmer might me the issue. I have a coralife 125 protein skimmer, and since january it has never even came up an inch. The coralife skimmer only has one water intake knob, and I don;t know how to set ip properly. Does anyone have any tips as to what im doing wrong?

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Assuming your skimmer is at the proper water depth just slowly turn the knob until bubbles are almost up to the cup. Fwiw I've only owned one coralife skimmer and it was useless

 

[ShaunPReefer]

Thank you. Is it normal to have almost no skimmate with 2 clowns a chromis, and royal gramma. For 6 months it hasent even produced 1/2 and inch. I also have 2 kenya trees and a chalice (very small)

 

[xxkenny90xx]

If you have high nitrates then I would think a decent skimmer would produce some skimmate. I would double check the bubble level and water level and make sure the skimmer neck is clean.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

If nothing else at least running it has kept your oxygen levels high (lots of bubbles)

 

[Blue Spot Octopus]

https://www.marinedepot.com/aquamaxx-hob-1-5-hang-on-back-protein-skimmer-w-bubble-stopper Look into one of these, you may be able to find one used for a good price. Also look into the Octopus brand as well.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Hi,

Like Kenny mentioned unfortunatly they are not the best. Can you snap a pic so we can se how much bubble/foam you are getting? Also which test kit are you using and what is your feeding like? 90 seems pretty high even without a skimmer.

 

[mfinn]

Time to invest in a good skimmer.

 

[Dan_P]

Hi everyone. I started a new 60 gallon tank in January. I constantly have nitrate issues (over 90), and even with water changes they don't go down. I am now assuming my protein skimmer might me the issue. I have a coralife 125 protein skimmer, and since january it has never even came up an inch. The coralife skimmer only has one water intake knob, and I don;t know how to set ip properly. Does anyone have any tips as to what im doing wrong?

What Nitrate test are you using? Are you diluting the sample before testing?

I doubt your nitrate issue is from an under performing skimmer, though yours sounds like it needs adjustment.

 

[ShaunPReefer]

Hi,

Like Kenny mentioned unfortunatly they are not the best. Can you snap a pic so we can se how much bubble/foam you are getting? Also which test kit are you using and what is your feeding like? 90 seems pretty high even without a skimmer.

Hi everyone, I cleaned my skimmer and followed all the tips, I believe it is now working, although the skimmate is bubbly rather than liquidy like other skimmers. Here are some picture, please let me know if something doesn't look right. T

thank you all once again.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

That's how it should look (although you might have the bubbles going too high now). Once the bubbles pop you will have some nice skimmate. Just gotta watch close and keep adjusting as needed

 

[Dan_P]

The dry foam you are seeing is a result of your current adjustments. If you want wetter foam, try further adjustments in twenty four hours. What you have now is a result of low foam flow either from too little air or low water level. Small tweaks of either or both will change the foam to a wetter form.