Protien skimmer help

Question
Hey i have a jebo 180 hang on tank skimmer that works with a powerhead and its been running for over a week. It still hasn't made bubbles that go into the collection cup. the water level is just above the o-ring near the collection cup in the skimmer. i'm not sure whats going wrong. i have 2 damsels, 4 hermit crabs, 2 turbo snails and 60 gals. it has a air valve that you tighten to increase air/water flow. I think i'm doing something wrong. thanks in advance

Answer
Hello Arthur,

I am not familiar with that brand or model, but have looked it up and it looks surprizingly like the seaclone skimmers and others...

Is the main chamber full of bubbles?  How big are the bubbles, they should be fine. the smaller the better...

Can you raise or lower the collection cup?  Even 1/4 to 1/5 inch would be great...

I would adjust the air, so that the bubbles are small and the water level is just below the 'neck' (where the collection cup meets the main reaction chamber)

If the bubbles fill the cup to quickly, (andthe 'skimmate' is thin/clear/not dark), then I would try to raise the cup.  

Again, looking for the smallest bubbles possible..

Other skimmers, not the seaclone, but most of the otehr skimmers have at least two ways to 'adjust the skimmer'

The primary method is usually restricting the output, (the water going back into the tank).

On your skimmer you cant do that as the water just spills out into the tank.



Maybe try adjusting teh position of the skimmer itself.  (raising it off the edge of the tank about an inch or so... (putting something under the U-tube or the overflow box??)



ALSO, skimmers take time to 'break in'... It could be that there is still some machineing/processing oil still on the plastic?  Or the skimmer needs some home tank algae film on it to start working...


Try all these things, including patience and let me know how things work out for you...

bill


(BTW: I dont believe and or 'buy into' the name brand skimmers being 'all that'...

Mixing air with salt water that has DOC in it will produce foam... Achieving that foam is simply a matter of getting hte right 'mixture'/consistancy...

The 'name brand' skimmers do have some advantages, like more air with less power, is a definite GREEN thing to do, and helps the electric bill, BUT, if you spend a grand on a skimmer to save fifty bucks, then I would have to say, HMMMMmmm