Skimmer help

USMA36 · Apr 15, 2017

I have a 90 gallon tank approx total water volume of 110 gallons with the sump. I am using an SCA 302 Skimmer. I currently have 1 magnificent foxface, 6 or so Snails and 3 LPS corals. I'm having a ***** of a time dialing the skimmer in. The pictures show the current level. If I try and turn it up more the cup fills way to fast. Could his be because of the light bio load?

Flameback Pair · Apr 15, 2017

You have a very light bio-load and it your skimmer broke-in? You should skim on the wet side never thick, thick foam will build up residue in the neck and foam won't be able to slide around. Skimmate should be tea colored and not coffee colored.

It takes up to a week to break-in a skimmer and during that time it will likely overflow.

USMA36 · Apr 15, 2017

Skimmer has been running about 3 or 4 weeks. It's been troublesome trying to tune the skimmer just right.

Flameback Pair · Apr 15, 2017

It won't make foam 24/7. At times it might be really foamy like after you feed or put your hand in the tank. (Oil or dirt from hands.) The reason is the chemical/biological processes in the tank aren't always constant. When the corals photosynthesize and produce waste then the bacteria in the pores of the liverock have something to eat and start metabolizing thereby changing chemistry, and so on. There chemical equalibriums going on like yo-yos 24/7.

For these reasons I have never been able to set my skimmer and forget it. I am constantly adjusting mine and would like to dump the cup every two days but these things don't always happen.

skim · Apr 16, 2017

Set it so the water level is at where the cup joins the body and leave it be ( should be done when no hands or food have touch the water for at least 2 hours ). Skimmers will only foam when there is enough DOC to attach themselves to the bubbles and then are removed into the cup. The more of these Organics the more it will foam. Skimmer only remove 20 to 30% of Organics so if you wish to remove more you should also use a good grade GAC. Skimmer will not foam all the time they will have times when foam production is low, especially if you have over sized your choice of Skimmer.

Gablami · Apr 16, 2017

I second what everyone has said. You only have 1 fish and a skimmer that can handle up to a 180g level of fish stock. You will not be close to a "consistent" skim for awhile. I don't think it has anything to do with breaking in. When a skimmer runs inconsistently, it just means it takes awhile to build up enough dissolved organic compounds to make a foam. Once it pushes the foam up through the neck, it takes awhile to build up again. Totally normal with only 1 fish in the tank. Just let it be inconsistent. Don't raise water level to overflow.

JamesP · Apr 16, 2017

You could also try raising you skimmer a little with a diy eggcrate stand. If it is always overflowing it may be too low in the water.

USMA36 · Apr 16, 2017

Thanks. I was hoping it was due to the low bio load. I have 2 clowns and a couple chromis in the qt. They'll be in the dt within the next two weeks.

Flameback Pair · Apr 16, 2017

You're going to have to get a lot more load than that to bog down a skimmer of that rating. I would feed heavy to help pull a bio-load but not enough to give you algae. Remember W/Cs are your friend too!

concretepumper · Apr 16, 2017

It is a new skimmer

amazongb · Apr 16, 2017

I have a smaller SCA skimmer, and when I started, I had a rough time as well. I did as JamesP suggested, and used some tupperware and raised it about 2 inches. Just be sure to cut slots and/or holes in whatever you are using as a platform so that water can run freely through it. After about 8 weeks, you'll be able to remove the platform..