Skimmer isn’t working

[Evan28395950]

Hi there, I’m new to all the fish keeping stuff. It’s my first day of owning a 24 gal saltwater aquarium, last night I added all the equipment, water, sand, and live rock. I came home today and noticed the water on the top looked alittle dirty and the water return area looked dirty as well. I’m only using what came with my tank for filtration. Also my skimmer doesn’t seem to be working, it is not producing as many bubbles and such as last night. Just wondering if everything is alright. Thanks. (Images below).

 

[ihavecrabs]

If the skimmer is new, I would give it a week or so to break in and stabilize. I'm not familiar with that specific model though.

 

[Evan28395950]

If the skimmer is new, I would give it a week or so to break in and stabilize. I'm not familiar with that specific model though.

It’s a Xyclone Protein Skimmer

 

[savetheocean]

It does take a while for the skimmer to break in.

I also noticed a minimal amount of surface agitation in that tank. Do you have a powerhead?

 

[Evan28395950]

No, just the pump that came with the tank. Do you think the surface agitation should stop me from putting fish in the tank later this week? (Used chemicals, so cycling 3-4 days).

 

[savetheocean]

No, just the pump that came with the tank. Do you think the surface agitation should stop me from putting fish in the tank later this week? (Used chemicals, so cycling 3-4 days).

Make sure your parameters are stable before you add fish. What did you use to cycle your tank?

I would get a powerhead. Helps add oxygen to the tank. What do you plan to get?

 

[Evan28395950]

Instant Ocean BIO-Spira Live Nitrifying Bacteria for Aquariums, 3.38-oz bottle

 

[savetheocean]

"Instant cycles" aren't usually trusted, I wouldn't add fish until I knew my cycle was done and my parameters were stable.

 

[Evan28395950]

I just got test stripes today for nitrates, ammonia, and ph level. So if all good with that, then is it ok to at?

 

[savetheocean]

I just got test stripes today for nitrates, ammonia, and ph level. So if all good with that, then is it ok to at?

Do you understand the nitrogen cycle?

 

[Evan28395950]

I have a good understanding

 

[savetheocean]

I have a good understanding

Okay, you also used live rock which is good. If theres no ammonia in your system and everything else looks good than you're fine. I would get a powerhead ASAP because there looks to be a lot of silt on the sandbed and there is little to no surface agitation which is REALLY important in a reef tank.

 

[Evan28395950]

Okay, you also used live rock which is good. If theres no ammonia in your system and everything else looks good than you're fine. I would get a powerhead ASAP because there looks to be a lot of silt on the sandbed and there is little to no surface agitation which is REALLY important in a reef tank.

Would you suggest not using the pump that came with it and just using the powerhead

 

[savetheocean]

Would you suggest not using the pump that came with it and just using the powerhead

Well you have to use the pump, how would you filter your tank? I would suggest getting a small powerhead as well.

 

[Evan28395950]

Well you have to use the pump, how would you filter your tank? I would suggest getting a small powerhead as well.

Like this one https://www.chewy.com/hydor-koralia...VVrjACh2VQQN5EAQYAyABEgKTE_D_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[savetheocean]

I WOULD honestly get two. If you can't, one is okay but I would go with two just incase there is a dead spot somewhere. If its too much just take it out.

 

[Evan28395950]

Just wondering, I’m just putting fish in and no corals. I would still need that powerhead then?

 

[savetheocean]

Just wondering, I’m just putting fish in and no corals. I would still need that powerhead then?

Yes, its very important

 

[Mas_Frags_SS]

Yes, its very important

It looks like you skimmer started to work but that was just the scarlet in the water that’s why it was current brown, it mostly just picks up the microscopic particles through using nano bubbles lifting it to the top
But yes it always takes a few weeks for skimmers to acclimate to their environment as well so when it starts working properly make sure you adjust it. And don’t forget it takes 4 to 8 months for a system to fully cycle.

That is if you start it cycling right away. Powerheads are wonderful to have because they get the dead spot in your aquarium you do want some kind of crap everywhere in your tank some spots can be very slow others very good and fast. The best investment anybody to make an aquarium is a test kit. A good one

 

[ihavecrabs]

Yes, its very important

Agreed. It more resembles their natural environment but it also increases gas exchange which is likely the most important part.

You could go with an airstone, but they are not as effective unless they are disrupting the water surface and of they are, salt spray is a pain!