hooking up protein skimmer

[Pete]

I have a large amiracle protien skimmer.

This is the skimmer that requires a powerhead and airpump.

I purchases a Penguin 300gph powerhead, put it on my undergravel
filter. Hooked it to the protein skimmer and it shot water out the
top.
Seemed like too much power head.

So then I bought the next model down, the 145 gph.
This seemed to really fill it fast.

Is it possible to have too much flow in the skimmer?

My tank is 38 gal.
I think this skimmer is rated for 90gallon.

since I redirected the flow into the skimmer, my tank has almost no
water movement now.


Should I leave the power head on the undergravel filter.
then purchase a second smaller one for the skimmer?

thanks

[Jim Brown]

Pete > wrote in message
...
> I have a large amiracle protien skimmer.
>
> This is the skimmer that requires a powerhead and airpump.
>
> I purchases a Penguin 300gph powerhead, put it on my undergravel
> filter. Hooked it to the protein skimmer and it shot water out the
> top.
> Seemed like too much power head.
Your 145 gph is still going through the filter bed, and is still coming out
of the skimmer. The outlet will be directing the flow differently, but it
is there.
>
> Is it possible to have too much flow in the skimmer?
>
> My tank is 38 gal.
> I think this skimmer is rated for 90gallon.
>
> since I redirected the flow into the skimmer, my tank has almost no
> water movement now.
>
>
> Should I leave the power head on the undergravel filter.
> then purchase a second smaller one for the skimmer?
>
> thanks

I presume the skimmer is on a sal****er aquarium, as they aren't that
effective on freshwater set ups.
The manufacturer should provide flow rates for water and air in the
instructions. The air flow is what strips the proteins from the water
column in the skimmer, and lifts it up to the foam collection cup. As for
your water flow, it may be a bit high leaving less time for the air to bond
with the proteins. But your aquarium will have just as much water flow, but
simply not as visible.
If this is a marine aquarium, I personally would be inclined to go with the
300 gph with a diverter valve to split the output into the skimmer and the
aquarium. I also presume you are using the proper airstone in the skimmer,
usually wood.
If it's a freshwater aquarium, I would remove the skimmer until such time as
you opt for a marine aquarium.

Jim

[Pete]

This is a sal****er tank.

I already moved the 300gph to another tank. So I plan on using the
145gph.

The flow is ok, I can always divert the 145gph if this is to much.



On Sun, 20 Jul 2003 16:24:47 -0400, "Jim Brown" >
wrote:

>
>Pete > wrote in message
...
>> I have a large amiracle protien skimmer.
>>
>> This is the skimmer that requires a powerhead and airpump.
>>
>> I purchases a Penguin 300gph powerhead, put it on my undergravel
>> filter. Hooked it to the protein skimmer and it shot water out the
>> top.
>> Seemed like too much power head.
>Your 145 gph is still going through the filter bed, and is still coming out
>of the skimmer. The outlet will be directing the flow differently, but it
>is there.
>>
>> Is it possible to have too much flow in the skimmer?
>>
>> My tank is 38 gal.
>> I think this skimmer is rated for 90gallon.
>>
>> since I redirected the flow into the skimmer, my tank has almost no
>> water movement now.
>>
>>
>> Should I leave the power head on the undergravel filter.
>> then purchase a second smaller one for the skimmer?
>>
>> thanks
>
>I presume the skimmer is on a sal****er aquarium, as they aren't that
>effective on freshwater set ups.
>The manufacturer should provide flow rates for water and air in the
>instructions. The air flow is what strips the proteins from the water
>column in the skimmer, and lifts it up to the foam collection cup. As for
>your water flow, it may be a bit high leaving less time for the air to bond
>with the proteins. But your aquarium will have just as much water flow, but
>simply not as visible.
>If this is a marine aquarium, I personally would be inclined to go with the
>300 gph with a diverter valve to split the output into the skimmer and the
>aquarium. I also presume you are using the proper airstone in the skimmer,
>usually wood.
>If it's a freshwater aquarium, I would remove the skimmer until such time as
>you opt for a marine aquarium.
>
>Jim
>