Running my protein skimmer

ndz98 · Oct 22, 2015

I just set up my protein skimmer on my tank today and I realized how loud it actually was. The tank is in my bedroom so that's why I'm trying to find out if the sound can be minimized. It's a BakPak Protein Skimmer by CPR. I don't have any corals in my tank yet but I plan on getting some this weekend. An idea I had was could I run it during the day and turn it off at night or should I run it 24/7? If I have to run it 24/7 then I can get over it.

NanaReefer · Oct 22, 2015

No need to run it 24/7. Many even put them on timers.

Harold Green · Oct 22, 2015

You might try adding a muffler to the air intake and see if it helps. Check to see if the pump or other hardware are touching the tank glass.

ATB USA · Oct 22, 2015

Does it have a muffler to the air intake?
Is it a sucking sound - Vibration sound - or just a loud pump?

ndz98 · Oct 22, 2015

ATB USA said:
Does it have a muffler to the air intake?
Is it a sucking sound - Vibration sound - or just a loud pump?

I don't think it has a muffler. It just has a little screw type thing in the intake to adjust the air flow. When I close it all the way it becomes more quiet but it doesn't produce any bubbles in the skimmer. The noise might be a combination of the air intake and pump.