Skimmer Stopped Skimming 10/30/06
Dear Bob,
<Hello John.  James for the vacationing Bob.>
First off,  I purchased your book a few months ago. And let me say that I have made changes to my system for its benefit  that would never have thought of without the assistance of your book. My little 29 gallon  tank went from an algae infested overstocked, green and brown wanna-be system  to a striving  reef ecosystem with loads of soft corals and pink/ red calcareous algae everywhere, In a matter of weeks.
<Mmm, knowledge has remarkable effects.>
Now, the system is a drilled 29 gallon AGA with a blue internal overflow box. I ditched the sand, and put starboard on the bottom (which is now purple). I Need to scrape the glass about once a week now. The is an acrylic sump with bio balls removed, with heater and debris catching micron filter which is replaced daily, and Chemi Pure is used and replaced once every two weeks.
<Certainly doesn't have to be changed that often.  I use the product myself, rinse the bag once weekly, and use for three months.>
Water changes are done twice a week.
<Wow, overkill.  Once weekly would be ideal.>
Six gallons is taken out and replaced with Reef crystals mixed water, while blasting the bottom and rocks with a powerful pump and turkey blaster. There is a prawn goby and clownfish in the system.
Now the problem is that my CPR Bak Pak 2 RR wont take out any skimmate. I have had 0 skimmate in the past few weeks. I thoroughly clean the whole unit in hot water once a week and have even tried replacing the MJ. No luck. No skimmate. What's The problem? Hopefully , with a good understanding of my system as give, you will be able to help.
<Nothing is wrong here, John.  With your maintenance schedule, small bioload, and use of Chemi-Pure, there is little waste to remove.  I like to call Chemi-Pure, protein skimmer in a jar.  Very effective in removing organics.  Sounds like you have a well run system.>
Thanks a lot.
<You're welcome.  James (Salty Dog)>

Continual Skimmer Adjustment - 10/27/06
Hi guys,
<<...and gals>>
I have a 75 gallon reef-ready tank, with a 30 gallon sump.  I built 2 switches under my stand, one to turn on/off the skimmer and the other to turn on/off the sump pump.
<<Handy>>
When I feed, I shut off the sump pump and the skimmer to prevent food from draining into the sump.  I have to turn the skimmer off as well or it will overflow.
<<Indeed, caused by the rise in water level in the sump...not uncommon>>
When I described this to a fellow reefer he said he never heard of one doing this.
<<Experiences vary...I have seen/heard this happen many times...and with all kinds/varying quality of skimmers>>
I don't see how you could get away with not doing it the way I described.
<<Agreed>>
It is a pain when I turn the skimmer back on and have to adjust the skimmer three times a day; are there any alternatives to my method?
<<Not really...the fact you have to adjust the skimmer each time says more about the quality/engineering of the skimmer I think.  Perhaps a new skimmer is in your future?>>
I still don't see how one can feed their reef and not have the food sucked down the overflow.  Thanks for your help....Derick..
<<Happy to share.  EricR>>

Skimming too much  10/26/06
Hey all.
<Jas>
I have an Aqua-C Remora Pro hang-on skimmer.  I have been using it for a few months now and have seen some good results.  But lately it has been skimming too much and just filling up with water.
<Needs adjusting>
I have the o-ring as low as it can go on the collection cup and after about 8 hours, it is full of fairly clear water.  Sure, there is a little green to the water, but not the coffee-black stuff we like to see.
<Need to raise the collection cup up... leave a gap for the bubbles to coalesce... pop upward...>
I can hardly get the water to stink.  I miss that, sort of.
I am using the mag drive that came with the skimmer.  The folks at Aqua-C say I must have got some kind of soapy/oily substance in the water.  I suggested maybe it was the petroleum jelly that I put around the o-ring as the directions advised.
<... What? No to using such solvents on O-rings... No petroleum products period. Silicone lube solamente por favor. Petrolatum will dissolve the material>
  Maybe that got into the water.  But anyway, this has been going on for about a month now and I'm getting tired of paying big bucks to get the "good stuff" that should be trouble and maintenance free.
Only to have more problems.  I know, wah-wah.
I have a 120 with a fuge and 200 lbs live rock.  Several corals and three clams.  Everything looks great, but for how long who knows.  With that o-ring being the only point of adjustment, I don't know what else to do.
<I'd give Jason Kim at Aqua-C (another) ringy dingy or email... he can/will explain the simple adjustment here>
Can you offer any suggestions please and thank you.
Jason
<Bob Fenner>

Skimmers...Performance Question 10/20/06
I have a 90-gallon reef tank (Oceanic bow-front w/ internal overflow) with a 29-gallon sump/refugium in the stand below.  I recently upgraded my return pump in the sump which increased the actual water flow from 500GPH to about 750GPH.  Since changing return pumps, I have noticed a big drop in the production of the skimmer.  Here is the plumbing situation in the sump -
*  1st compartment - raw water from the display goes through the overflow in the display, through a Durso stand-pipe, and then down to the 1st compartment in the sump (via 1.25" ID flexible tubing).  The raw water pipe terminates about 8" below the water level in the sump to cut down on noise & splashing.  This 1st compartment also houses the skimmer (Amiracle w/ Mag-7 pump).   
*  2nd compartment - contains passive carbon, and acts to remove bubbles
*  3rd compartment - contains sand, live rock and Chaetomorpha (lighted by 18W PC)
*  4th compartment - contains the heater, return pump, and the sensors & input line from auto-top-off device 
The larger flow of raw water into the 1st sump compartment is creating a huge number of bubbles, many of which are being sucked into the pump for the protein skimmer.  Could these bubbles cut down on the water flow through the skimmer, or is there some other problem here?
<Yes, the increase in bubbles can/could cause this reduction due to cavitation in the impeller chamber of the pump.  Is best to place the skimmer away from this area, preferable in the last chamber.  Very important to clean the reaction chamber in the skimmer on a weekly basis. Failure to do so will also cause a drop in skimmate production.>
Thank you,
<You're welcome.  James (Salty Dog)>
Steve

Re:  Skimmers...Performance Question 10/23/06
Isn't the skimmer best placed where it will receive raw water?  If I put it in the 4th compartment, this will be after the water has been filtered by carbon, Chaetomorpha, and live rock.
<Isn't absolutely necessary in your situation.  Let the Chaeto and carbon have a go at it first, then let the skimmer have the leftovers.  As you know, skimmers aren't going to remove every nasty from the water.  I'd try my suggestion and first see if that doesn't help.  It may not be the problem...process of elimination.>
Any suggestions on how to cut down on the number of bubbles being sucked into the skimmer pump while still providing raw water?
<May want to read FAQ's here on subject, see what suggestions are out there.  Also read "Bubble Troubles
1" in linked file above.  http://www.wetwebmedia.com/bubtroubfaq2.htm
James (Salty Dog)>

Gravity Drain to Feed a Downdraft Skimmer? - 10/20/06
In the quest to make my reef setup as efficient as possible, I came up with this idea and was wondering if it's been done and what possible problems there could be.  The idea is to route my main return into a homemade downdraft skimmer vs. using a pump.
<<I don't think this will work>>
It seems like a reasonable idea given that I have roughly 1000 gph that would use gravity as the main engine into the skimmer vs. another pump.
<<And there lies the problem...the downdraft skimmer requires the water to enter under great force in order to provide enough turbulence to "froth" the water...regardless of the flow rate, I don't see a gravity drain providing adequate force>>
I'm trying hard to see a downside and I can't except for maintenance which I would see as acceptable versus using another electrical device that could clog, quit or otherwise shock and add heat to a system.  Your thoughts...
<<As stated.  Regards EricR>>

Gravity Drain to Feed a Downdraft Skimmer? - II - 10/20/06
Thank you.
<<Welcome>>
After I sent the e-mail I did wonder about the lack of force...
<<Ah yes...>>
What would you think about the same setup using recirculating pumps as in the Euro Reef RC series?
<<I love needle-wheel skimmers (have the ER CS12-3), this would be my choice for the way to go.  Eric Russell>>
Jay P. Marzullo

Skimmer Slowing Down 10/14/06
I have an ASM G2 Skimmer on a 125 Gallon Tank.  I notice is that it used to gather a bit of dark fluid similar to motor oil.
<Quite normal>
Now, while the water in the tank is clear, the skimming is producing just a little dry dark foam and not even depositing any liquid in the plastic cup.  It just foams a little at the top.  What can I do to get it to work the way it was?  I have tried moving the bar up and down with no real changes. The tank is about 1.5 year old and has a lot of corals and 16 tropical fish.
<Ahh…a well established tank>
I use the two part B-IONIC treatment and feed the fish formula one, two tabs 2X per day.  I would appreciate any advice on this matter.
Steve S.
<Steve - as your tank ages, the biological filtration can get to the point where it is working flawlessly.  As long as your levels are fine, I wouldn’t worry about the skimmer not pulling much out…there might not be anything there to pull out.  Cheers! – Dr. J>

Flooding Skimmer - 10/13/06
Hi again,
<<Hi Adam>>
I am still having problems with my skimmer flooding.  It now sits in about 4-inches of water, it does not fill the cap up as fast as it did before but it still fills it up.
Thanks again ,
Adam D.
<<Hmm...difficult to diagnose without examining the skimmer/your setup.  Make sure the air intake/venturi hose is not blocked or submerged.  If the skimmer pump is not pulling enough air this too could make it flood.  Otherwise, I suggest you contact Euro-Reef (http://www.euro-reef.com/index.shtml) and describe the issue to them to determine if the problem is with the skimmer itself.  Regards, EricR>>

Skimmer Setup 10/11/06
Hi Crew,
<Hi Cathy>
I currently have a 100gal saltwater tank with one overflow that empties into a trickle filter and protein skimmer.  I just bought a 125gal tank with two overflows.  I will reuse my filter and protein skimmer.  The filter system can accommodate both overflows, but the protein skimmer has only one connector.  Do I need to buy another protein skimmer for the second overflow, or is there an adaptor I can use on the protein skimmer?  I have looked all over the internet and haven't seen anything.
<You don't mention the brand of skimmer you are using, so I cannot be specific.  There is no real need to plumb directly to the protein skimmer
in your application.  I would feed the skimmer with a power head that matches the skimmer's capabilities.  If your skimmer is an in-sump model, then both the skimmer
and power head can be placed in the sump.>
Thanks in advance for any help.
<You're welcome.  James (Salty Dog)>
Cathy

Flooding Skimmer - 10/09/06
Hi, I just have a quick question.  I have a Euro-Reef skimmer and it keeps filling the collection cup with water...  I am not sure why this is happening.  The water in the sump is just below the neck of the skimmer...
<<Mmm, this is too high>>
If you can help me I would appreciate it.
<<I own one of these skimmers myself and have experienced this phenomenon when performing maintenance/water changes and the water height in the sump where the skimmer resides rises.  This will cause the skimmer to "flood" because the pumps become more "efficient" due to the fact the rising water level in the sump means they don’t have to work as hard to raise the water level in the skimmer.  Though these skimmers will work within a "range" of water heights, a height of about 8" (in the sump/chamber where the skimmer sits) is ideal.  Having the water in the sump "just below the neck of the skimmer" is much too high.  At this height you won't be able to lower the riser tube enough to keep the skimmer from flooding...as you have discovered. If it's not practical to lower the height of the water in the sump, elevate the skimmer so it is sitting in about 8"-10" of water and this should fix your problem>>
Adam D.
<<Regards, Eric Russell>>

Protein Skimmer Woes  9/12/06
Hello Crew:
<Hello Craig>
I just wanted to get some help quick before I go out of my mind.  I purchased an Aqua C Remora to replace my Prizm.  It has been hooked up for 5 days and has not done anything.  I contacted Aqua C and they said that I should remove all of my artificial corals and rinse them off again.  Upon searching the web I have found some people that stated it took a month for the skimmer to do anything.  Do you have any experience with the Remora having a long break in period?
<New skimmers can take as much as a month before effective skimming takes place.>
The tank is a 55 Gallon with 2 Clowns, a Royal Gramma, a Sixline Wrasse and a Neon Goby.  I have a canister filter that I just changed the carbon in and 2 power heads that turn 180 Gallons Each.  I am so frustrated I'm ready to just give up on skimming all together.  I started with a Seaclone then went to Prizm, and then went to the Remora at this point the Prizm worked better than the Remora.
<Keep in mind that the carbon is also removing dissolved organics.  And yes, I have had experience with the Remora, is an excellent skimmer.  
Give it some time.>
Sorry for the second request regarding this but I have not received an answer from the first time so I thought it might have gotten lost.  
Thank you so much for your help.
<You're welcome.  James (Salty Dog)>

Surface Film/Skimmer Function - 09/07/06
Should my protein skimmer be removing the film from the surface of my aquarium?
<<The protein skimmer will collect organics/colloids that make up the film, but actual "removal" of the film from the surface of the water requires some type of "surface skimming" box/device.  A keyword search on our site re "surface film" will yield some info on removal methods.>>
I have a 72 gallon tank running a CPR skimmer.
<<Ah, I see...the CPR skimmer pulls water from "below" the water's surface.  Regards, EricR>>

Turbo Flotor Multi SL  - 08/26/06
I recently purchased this skimmer off eBay, brand new for 100 bucks less than my LFS yay for me!  Anyway, I cut an old salt bucket in half so that the bottom half holds the skimmer outside of the sump and the pump and return are all that's in the sump.  My problem is that with the second return box attached to the skimmer, it's still about 4 inches above the water, and very noisy, I'm not into the whole waterfall sound coming from the tank.
<Me neither>
What I'm wondering is can I use pvc glue on this material and glue two elbows and a down pipe just below the surface of the water to stop the noise? and if I do this will there be anything I have to worry about?
<Mmm, am not so sure re the solvent properties and connecting to what ever the type of material this skimmer is made of. I don't think PVC glue will work... MEK would likely, but this in turn would require the use of acrylic/Perspex... tubing... You might try reading on Ozreef.org and on WWM: http://wetwebmedia.com/pbnoisefaqs.htm
re various means of lessening "down splash" noise. Bob Fenner>

Refugium Size/Overflow Surge/Skimmer Adjustment - 08/25/06
Hi Everyone,
<<Hello Diana!>>
I just installed a Refugium (it is 36"x18"x13" with the refugium being 15"x13" does that seem big enough for my tank?) on my 150 Gallon reef tank.
<<Whether this is "big enough" is a question that can't really be answered...bigger the better as you are probably aware.  But the fact it is there "will" provide benefit to your system>>
I have two pumps in my return (one for returning water straight back to the tank the other goes thru the chiller and UV light).
Now here is my problem.......When I have both pumps running the overflow on one side of the tank is putting out air thru the hose back into the skimmer area.
<<Is having problems handling the volume...efficiently>>
It seems like the overflow pipe is filling up to fast with water and the air hole in the overflow pipe can't keep up so it creates suction.  Does this make sense?
<<Sorta <grin>.  What's happening is the volume of water traveling through the pipe with both pumps running is trapping/preventing the air in the pipe from escaping efficiently.  This are is then pushed to the sump (the bubbles you see being created there) and/or building to the point that it surges back up the overflow pipe (intermittent rushing/flushing sounds)>>
My question is how it comes that it only does it on one side and when both pumps are running (I guess I answered that one already since it is putting more water into the tank with both pumps on).
<<Indeed>>
Now my main question would be how I can fix this problem?  Any help would be appreciated as I would like to get my water flow going again and make my fishies and corals happy.
<<The easiest solution would be to install gate-valves on the "output" side of the pumps and temper the flow down to what the overflow can quietly and efficiently handle.  Another approach is to "aspirate" the return line by inserting a length of small diameter tubing (exact diameter and length of insertion will require experimentation do determine optimum performance) to help with the escape of entrained air from the line.  This method will usually yield some improvement to water flow but is no panacea on its own and will probably work best if employed with the addition of the gate-valves as mentioned previously>>
One other quick question, if you don't mind.
<<Not at all...>>
I just hooked up an ASM G2 Skimmer in my refugium and I was wondering if there is any hints on how to get it working just right (as of now I'm only getting greenish water)?
<<Simple adjustment of the riser-pipe will change the concentration of the skimmate.  If the skimmate is too thin for your liking, adjusting the riser-pipe "down" will lower the water level in the skimmer body yielding a thicker skimmate... you will likely have to "play" with the adjustment a bit to find the desired height/skimmate production>>
Thank You,
Diana
<<Quite welcome.  EricR>>

- Skimmer Set-up 8/21/06 -
2 weeks using Cascade 1200  canister filter. Fish and water quality are fine, but have a protein film  on water surface. Need to add a skimmer, but my new tank will not  allow for hang on skimmer due to factory cover design. Filter has a spray bar  attachment with filtered water spraying close to surface of tank. What type and  how should I set up a skimmer to this system? Please help!
<Sounds like you may need to modify that "factory cover design".>
Sincerely,
Randy S.
<Cheers, J -- >

He's Lost His Bioballs! - 8/10/2006
I bought a used ETSS Reef Devil Skimmer and I have noticed that it
hasn't produced much foam. I took it apart and to my surprise there were no Bio Balls inside of it. The instructions say there should be 8 mini Bio Balls. I looked up mini Bio balls on the net and these seem awfully small. Can you help me choose the correct size for this skimmer? Thanks in advance for your help.
<Hi Bryan- I'd contact the guys who make ETS skimmers (www.superskimmer.com was the URL, I believe) and see what bioballs they recommend. They can probably even supply them for you. Hope this helps! Regards, Scott F.>
Brian Reddy

Live Rock/skimmer noise - 8/1/6
Hi There,
<<Hello.>>
I was just wondering if you could give a newbie some advice. I have recently set up a new tank; it’s a 160 litre tank with about 9 kilo of live rock in it so far (I have to buy it a bit at a time, as it’s very expensive!). I have a Fluval 205 external filter and a red sea prism protein skimmer, and it is lit by a pair of Arcadia T5 bulbs, the twin tube Marine Blue Actinic variety.
<<Ok.>>
As yet I haven't stocked it with any fish, as I have a few concerns with the water quality.
<<Best to go slowly and learn.>>
At the moment I am still cycling my tank, and performing a few water changes, and it currently stands at PO4 - 0.25 ppm, NH3 - 1.3 ppm, NO2 - 3.3 ppm and NO3  - 70ppm. Now, having successfully kept tropical fresh fish in the past, I know that these are high.
<<Yes.>>
Does the living rock have any effect on the ammonia/nitrate/nitrite levels?
<<Of course, that is one reason it is so coveted.  It contains a lot of nitrifying bacteria, <And denitrifying and habitat/space for same. RMF>and a wonderful place for more to grow.>>
My tank is in my room so I have a problem with he amount of noise the skimmer is making, is there any inherent problem with switching off the skimmer at night, or will I have to just put up with it, I was planning on keeping soft coral and anemones, as well as other inverts.
<<Earplugs are your best bet.>>
There is no way I can move the tank.
If you could help, and give your input, I would appreciate it,
Many thanks,
Chris
<<Glad to help. Lisa.>>

Protein Skimming Power/Phosphate/DSB removal  7/15/06
Hello,
Thanks for running such a great site.  I've learned so much from reading your Q&A's.
< Bob and the others do a wonderful job! >
I have a 55g reef tank with about 50 lbs of live rock and a 4" deep sand bed.  It's about 15 months old and so far everything has been working very well, except for a recent, steep phosphate spike.  Is that typical for a DSB?
< No, that is not typical at all. >
  (I don't believe it is from overfeeding.)
< Are you feeding frozen foods? If you are not rinsing the foods well, the phosphate from the juices could be encouraging the spike. Another thing to consider, if the prepared foods have fish meal in the first five ingredients, the phosphates could be coming from that! >
  Is an extremely high level of phosphate a possible cause for my losing a number of fish recently, a day or two after acclimation (which I normally do gradually over about 1-1/2 hours)? (It's not due to a mantis shrimp;  there is no clicking, and no sightings at night.)
< I seriously doubt the phosphates would cause that kind of reaction. I would look more at temperature fluctuations, or the possibility of airborne pollutants. >
After talking to a couple of LFS, I'm becoming convinced that the DSB will eventually crash, and I am planning to remove it soon.  How gradually do I have to do that?
< A four inch sand bed is not deep enough to really cause a serious problem, but if you must remove some, only remove an inch or so. Remember, the sand under the first inch layer is horribly toxic. Don't stir up too much! >
My main question has to do with skimming.  I have an Aqua C Remora (not Pro) with the Maxijet 1200 powerhead and overflow box (I have no room for a
sump).  One LFS is saying that that is not enough skimming capacity for a 55 g tank.  Currently I have four small fish, a cleanup crew of 20 hermit crabs
and 15 snails, four small colonies of mushroom polyps and two small frogspawns, but I hope to add a few more fish and many more corals.  How
much skimming power do I really need with this setup, once the DSB is gone?
< That is directly related to the amount of food you feed, and the frequency of partial water changes. To place exacting limitations, or requirements on such is difficult. >
< Yet another thing to consider is the possibility of your source water or supplements containing phosphates. Be careful when adding anything to buffer the pH, for nearly all related products use phosphate buffering agents! >
Many thanks for all your help
< I hope I was indeed helpful! >
Bob
< RichardB >
"Sponges grow in the ocean. I wonder how much deeper the ocean would be if
that didn't happen." ~Steven Wright

Protein skimmer, Red Sea... set-up right? Working?  7/15/06
Hi.
<Hello>
I'm not entirely sure my protein skimmer is working. I have a Red Sea Prizm Skimmer in my 55 galloon system. The water is always very clear and there has
been no outbreak in algae. However, the collection cup is never full, there isn't any dark gunk in it.
<Sometimes, some systems... acheive a sort of "non-skimmate" stasis>
I have assembled it according the instructions and I have been told many times that Red Sea makes the best protein
skimmers. How can I confirm that mine is working? Thank you.
Albany
<Mmm, really... try another make/model on the same system... Please read here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/PrizmSkimrFAQs.htm
and "contact Pinky" per the link in the upper right. Bob Fenner>

Protein Skimmer Problem PS75   7/6/06
I have just put the skimmer together according to the horrible instructions.
I plugged it in and the clear tank on the back filled up, then continued to fill up the collection cup and overflowed. The instructions are giving me
nothing to work with. Do you have any suggestions.
<Not familiar with "PS75".  Who is the manufacturer?  If there is an airline connected to a venturi, shut the valve off and gradually open until water level is below collection cup.  The unit will have to run a few days before a final setting can be made as the acrylic has to "season".  I would also make an effort to contact the company.>
Thanks!
<You're welcome.  James (Salty Dog)>
Katie

Skimmer Operation, Follow-up 6/25/06 -
Thanks J.
<My pleasure.>
Will picture do? <You can if you want although it still may be hard to tell if you "did something wrong". I'm willing to extend the benefit of the doubt and stick with my original answer.>  
Vinh
<Cheers, J -- >

- Skimmer Operation 6/23/06 -
Hello crew,
<Hello.>
I have a homemade Down draft skimmer ( plan from the web. The first week, it seemed to work well.  Lots of bubbles an produced kind of thickened dark green juice. I collected about 1/2 cup a day. Now, it seem to less bubbles, and the level of bubbles kind of low. If I increase the pressure (by open inlet valve bigger), it produced wet, and lots of water.
The outlet is set full open and at lowest setting. So I only can control the inlet.  Is there something I have do wrong, or something I can make it works better?
<Well... very difficult to "know" if you did something wrong as I can't see your skimmer. However, many times new skimmers work amazingly well in the first couple of days because the tank has never been skimmed before - only to settle down to a much lower level once dissolved organics are under control. It could very well be that your skimmer is working just fine. I'd give it some time.>
Thanks, Vinh.
<Cheers, J -- >

Skimmate...Stinking Up House  6/15/06
I am running a Euroreef skimmer in my new 240 gallon fish tank and it is located in our front room. As it collects skimmate throughout the day the front room of our house begins to smell bad. I empty the cup in the morning, but by the time I get home from work it is rather smelly in the front room.  Do you have any suggestions on reducing the odor? Perhaps there is some sort of air filter I can put on the vent holes of the skimmers lid? Any help is greatly appreciated.
<Try placing a piece of PolyFilter over the top of the collection cup.  May want to check with Euroreef to see if a carbon cub is available to place over the
collection cup.  Some companies offer this for use with ozone generators.  James (Salty Dog)>
Thanks!
<You're welcome.>

Upgrading the Protein Skimmer and debating on where best to place the old one in the other tank   6/13/06
Hello everyone.
<James>
Reading (as always) the wonderful sections on protein skimmers I am getting pretty much set on the Aqua C Remora Pro for my 75 gallon mega flow tank
with 20 gallon sump. I upgraded the Prizm Skimmer with the surface water attachment but though I have found it works okay I fear it really is
inadequate for my set up at present (it was good enough in the 55 gallon).
<Okay>
I will move the Prizm to the 24 gallon JBJ nanocube tank that functions as my QT tank at present (no sense wasting it). However, as with everything
there is a catch: where should it go? The side closest to the intake for the sump is in direct sunlight for part of the day.
<Mmm, could build an enclosure... wrap in foil/film...>
The light in the hood no longer works (removed until… if fixed for reasonable $) so I picked up an external P.C. that sits over the tank on stands. However, the first chamber
has a sponge that takes up the entire chamber. The second chamber has a smaller sponge and carbon while the internal pump is the third chamber. The
sump faces the corner and would be the easiest place to fit the skimmer and it would be out of direct light. What can stay and what can go in the sump chambers?
<IMO, the sponge in the first... best water, easiest to set height...>
Should I leave these be? Oh, another note on the Prizm as a hang on: most people will find (in a Perfecto 55 gallon tank anyway) the need to cut the glass to fit the intake as it extends too far out. How are other hang on skimmers regarding intake location/orientation and modification to tank canopies?
<Highly variable... Look into the Aqua-C Remora line...>
I suppose another option would be to get a screen or something to block sunlight to the side closest to the intake and the skimmer water would then empty close to the intake while being in the tank. What are your thoughts on this? Moving this tank now would be difficult though not impossible.
Out of curiosity; when are you going to do an update article on Protein Skimmers?
<When are you going to? Not planned in the near future... am a few years out in trying to write other projects...>
I am sure some things have changed since the last one (which was great!) by Steven Pro. It seems there are new add on products and new models all of which boast such great things. I went super critical on my Fission Protein Skimmer and wrote in about how bad that POS was.
Thank you in advance.
James Zimmer
<Do consider penning this James. Bob Fenner>