Unsure about the skimmer

[tear1977]

Ive just set up an aquamedic flotor skimmer in my brand new marine tank, not sure how these things work eg. should the cup fill up with water, should the air flow be turned on full. If someone has this skimmer could they please help me.

I thought there should just be foam in there.

Thanx
Tear1977

[OrionGirl]

The cup shouldn't fill with water--it should just collect 'dry foam'--hard to describe, but you'll know it when you see it. It sounds like maybe the cup should be raised up a bit, and the bubbles turned down. They take a bit of adjusting, and there is a break in period to get skimmers running properly.

HTH

[Sregnar35]

You describe your tank as brand new. If your tank doesn't have enough organics in suspension, then you really won't see much foam. It may take a couple of weeks before your protein skimmer breaks in and begins working properly. And to help out what Oriongirl was explaining, the foam in the collection cup will look like the foam that collects on the beach at the ocean, thick and stinky.

[OrionGirl]

Good analogy--been a while since I've been to the beach!

[tear1977]

Thanx but how will I know when its set right

[OrionGirl]

You'll have to check it daily for a while. If the tank is new, I'd turn it off until the cycle is over if you're fishlessly cycling--no need for it yet. Otherwise, start by raising the cup about half an inch--if it's still getting lots of water, turn down the bubbles on the next day. Back and forth, until you're getting just the dry foam in the cup.

[tear1977]

I cant raise the cup so ive turned down the bubbles and ill keep checking it

Thanx very much

[liquafaction]

If I am not mistaking, if you are filling up with water, your water flow is too high, in which, you will need to turn down your water flow