first time using skimmer [Archive] - FishKeepingBanter.com

ITGuy

June 5th 07, 12:41 AM

I bought a new skimmer and this is my first time ever using one.

It is a hang on the tank type and is rated for 180 gallons, but I have it on
an already established 30 gallon tank. Reason I got it so big is I plan on
setting up a 55 gallon in the near future.

Anyway, it seems to operate...the column is filled with bubbles. But no
gunk is coming out and the return water puts lots of micro bubbles in my
tank.

Am I doing anything wrong, or have I just not had it set up long enough.
This is the first day its in operation.

I even stirred up the tank so that some of the crap rose up into the tank
hoping it would suck alot of it out.

Pondmeister

June 5th 07, 01:17 AM

Best way t pps check a skimmer is to allow to read
rec.aquaria.marine.reefs, and soon with allthe **** Wayne Sallee and
Pszemol puts ut its bound to start putting crap in the collection cup.
You can always **** in the tank too. That also gets a good foam going.
Of course, if you have loose sloppy runs that would really work better
than a hard turd would. now if you had a big tank you could always
have fish tank sex, that for sure would get that "protein" skimmer
cooking off!

On Mon, 4 Jun 2007 18:41:29 -0500, "ITGuy" > wrote:

<<>>I bought a new skimmer and this is my first time ever using one.
<<>>
<<>>It is a hang on the tank type and is rated for 180 gallons, but I have it on
<<>>an already established 30 gallon tank. Reason I got it so big is I plan on
<<>>setting up a 55 gallon in the near future.
<<>>
<<>>Anyway, it seems to operate...the column is filled with bubbles. But no
<<>>gunk is coming out and the return water puts lots of micro bubbles in my
<<>>tank.
<<>>
<<>>Am I doing anything wrong, or have I just not had it set up long enough.
<<>>This is the first day its in operation.
<<>>
<<>>I even stirred up the tank so that some of the crap rose up into the tank
<<>>hoping it would suck alot of it out.
<<>>

-------
I forgot more about ponds and koi than I'll ever know!

George Patterson

June 5th 07, 03:20 AM

ITGuy wrote:

> Anyway, it seems to operate...the column is filled with bubbles. But no
> gunk is coming out and the return water puts lots of micro bubbles in my
> tank.
>
> I even stirred up the tank so that some of the crap rose up into the tank
> hoping it would suck alot of it out.

Skimmers don't work that way; at least, you hope they don't pull out crap you
have to stir up.

Skimmers remove suspended proteins from the water. These are usually invisible,
but some can be seen as sort of an oily film on the surface. If you don't have
decay products, such as dead fish, uneaten food, or fish urine and feces, there
isn't anything for the skimmer to remove.

George Patterson
If you torture the data long enough, eventually it will confess
to anything.

ITGuy

June 5th 07, 03:28 AM

Nothing worse than someone who has nothing better to do.

"Pondmeister" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> Best way t pps check a skimmer is to allow to read
> rec.aquaria.marine.reefs, and soon with allthe **** Wayne Sallee and
> Pszemol puts ut its bound to start putting crap in the collection cup.
> You can always **** in the tank too. That also gets a good foam going.
> Of course, if you have loose sloppy runs that would really work better
> than a hard turd would. now if you had a big tank you could always
> have fish tank sex, that for sure would get that "protein" skimmer
> cooking off!
>
> On Mon, 4 Jun 2007 18:41:29 -0500, "ITGuy" > wrote:
>
> <<>>I bought a new skimmer and this is my first time ever using one.
> <<>>
> <<>>It is a hang on the tank type and is rated for 180 gallons, but I have
> it on
> <<>>an already established 30 gallon tank. Reason I got it so big is I
> plan on
> <<>>setting up a 55 gallon in the near future.
> <<>>
> <<>>Anyway, it seems to operate...the column is filled with bubbles. But
> no
> <<>>gunk is coming out and the return water puts lots of micro bubbles in
> my
> <<>>tank.
> <<>>
> <<>>Am I doing anything wrong, or have I just not had it set up long
> enough.
> <<>>This is the first day its in operation.
> <<>>
> <<>>I even stirred up the tank so that some of the crap rose up into the
> tank
> <<>>hoping it would suck alot of it out.
> <<>>
>
>
>
> -------
> I forgot more about ponds and koi than I'll ever know!

ITGuy

June 5th 07, 05:17 AM

Well here is what is happening. The videos I see of skimmers show a frothy
foam boiling over into the collection cup.

Right now all I have is bubbly water, no foam or froth. When I adjust the
air inlet valve, where should the top of the bubbling water be? down in the
tube, or up top about ready to boil over?

The instructions weren't too clear and I have no idea what I should be
seeing in the very first day of operation.

"George Patterson" > wrote in message
news:CL39i.7933$V01.78@trnddc02...
> ITGuy wrote:
>
>> Anyway, it seems to operate...the column is filled with bubbles. But no
>> gunk is coming out and the return water puts lots of micro bubbles in my
>> tank.
>>
>> I even stirred up the tank so that some of the crap rose up into the tank
>> hoping it would suck alot of it out.
>
> Skimmers don't work that way; at least, you hope they don't pull out crap
> you have to stir up.
>
> Skimmers remove suspended proteins from the water. These are usually
> invisible, but some can be seen as sort of an oily film on the surface. If
> you don't have decay products, such as dead fish, uneaten food, or fish
> urine and feces, there isn't anything for the skimmer to remove.
>
> George Patterson
> If you torture the data long enough, eventually it will confess
> to anything.

Wayne Sallee

June 5th 07, 12:44 PM

Yea you will want to put him in your kill file. He
is a troll.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets

ITGuy wrote on 6/4/2007 10:28 PM:
> Nothing worse than someone who has nothing better to do.
>
> "Pondmeister" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> Best way t pps check a skimmer is to allow to read
>> rec.aquaria.marine.reefs, and soon with allthe **** Wayne Sallee and
>> Pszemol puts ut its bound to start putting crap in the collection cup.
>> You can always **** in the tank too. That also gets a good foam going.
>> Of course, if you have loose sloppy runs that would really work better
>> than a hard turd would. now if you had a big tank you could always
>> have fish tank sex, that for sure would get that "protein" skimmer
>> cooking off!
>>
>> On Mon, 4 Jun 2007 18:41:29 -0500, "ITGuy" > wrote:
>>
>> <<>>I bought a new skimmer and this is my first time ever using one.
>> <<>>
>> <<>>It is a hang on the tank type and is rated for 180 gallons, but I have
>> it on
>> <<>>an already established 30 gallon tank. Reason I got it so big is I
>> plan on
>> <<>>setting up a 55 gallon in the near future.
>> <<>>
>> <<>>Anyway, it seems to operate...the column is filled with bubbles. But
>> no
>> <<>>gunk is coming out and the return water puts lots of micro bubbles in
>> my
>> <<>>tank.
>> <<>>
>> <<>>Am I doing anything wrong, or have I just not had it set up long
>> enough.
>> <<>>This is the first day its in operation.
>> <<>>
>> <<>>I even stirred up the tank so that some of the crap rose up into the
>> tank
>> <<>>hoping it would suck alot of it out.
>> <<>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -------
>> I forgot more about ponds and koi than I'll ever know!
>
>

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Wayne Sallee

June 5th 07, 12:47 PM

It depends some on the model of the skimmer, It will
take some getting used to, and it will depend on how
wet you want the skimmate. Also every time you put
your hand in the water, the oils from your body will
pop the foam, and cause it to not function properly
for a while. Also it takes a few days for the new
plastic of the skimmer to break in.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets

ITGuy wrote on 6/5/2007 12:17 AM:
> Well here is what is happening. The videos I see of skimmers show a frothy
> foam boiling over into the collection cup.
>
> Right now all I have is bubbly water, no foam or froth. When I adjust the
> air inlet valve, where should the top of the bubbling water be? down in the
> tube, or up top about ready to boil over?
>
> The instructions weren't too clear and I have no idea what I should be
> seeing in the very first day of operation.
>
>
> "George Patterson" > wrote in message
> news:CL39i.7933$V01.78@trnddc02...
>> ITGuy wrote:
>>
>>> Anyway, it seems to operate...the column is filled with bubbles. But no
>>> gunk is coming out and the return water puts lots of micro bubbles in my
>>> tank.
>>>
>>> I even stirred up the tank so that some of the crap rose up into the tank
>>> hoping it would suck alot of it out.
>> Skimmers don't work that way; at least, you hope they don't pull out crap
>> you have to stir up.
>>
>> Skimmers remove suspended proteins from the water. These are usually
>> invisible, but some can be seen as sort of an oily film on the surface. If
>> you don't have decay products, such as dead fish, uneaten food, or fish
>> urine and feces, there isn't anything for the skimmer to remove.
>>
>> George Patterson
>> If you torture the data long enough, eventually it will confess
>> to anything.
>
>

--
Posted via a free Usenet account from http://www.teranews.com

Wayne Sallee

June 5th 07, 01:08 PM

Wayne Sallee

June 5th 07, 01:09 PM

KurtG

June 5th 07, 01:29 PM

After I do a complete clean on my skimmer, it usually takes a day or two
to get any output. It will generate a nice white foam, but no output.

Just be patient. It's definitely a slow process, but you'll be amazed
what it does generate in a day or two.

ITGuy wrote:
> I bought a new skimmer and this is my first time ever using one.
>
> It is a hang on the tank type and is rated for 180 gallons, but I have it on
> an already established 30 gallon tank. Reason I got it so big is I plan on
> setting up a 55 gallon in the near future.
>
> Anyway, it seems to operate...the column is filled with bubbles. But no
> gunk is coming out and the return water puts lots of micro bubbles in my
> tank.
>
> Am I doing anything wrong, or have I just not had it set up long enough.
> This is the first day its in operation.
>
> I even stirred up the tank so that some of the crap rose up into the tank
> hoping it would suck alot of it out.
>
>

ITGuy

June 5th 07, 01:39 PM

Well here is something I noticed this morning. Quite a few bristleworms,
can't tell if they are dead or not, floating at the top towards the back of
the tank. I heard that a skimmer removes the proteins that some of the
clean up crew need. If this is the case, could I be killing my clean up
crew with the skimmer?

"ITGuy" > wrote in message
...
>I bought a new skimmer and this is my first time ever using one.
>
> It is a hang on the tank type and is rated for 180 gallons, but I have it
> on an already established 30 gallon tank. Reason I got it so big is I
> plan on setting up a 55 gallon in the near future.
>
> Anyway, it seems to operate...the column is filled with bubbles. But no
> gunk is coming out and the return water puts lots of micro bubbles in my
> tank.
>
> Am I doing anything wrong, or have I just not had it set up long enough.
> This is the first day its in operation.
>
> I even stirred up the tank so that some of the crap rose up into the tank
> hoping it would suck alot of it out.
>

Wayne Sallee

June 5th 07, 01:57 PM

Look to see if you are getting so many bubbles in
the tank, that the bubbles are sticking to the
worms, and floating them up.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets

ITGuy wrote on 6/5/2007 8:39 AM:
> Well here is something I noticed this morning. Quite a few bristleworms,
> can't tell if they are dead or not, floating at the top towards the back of
> the tank. I heard that a skimmer removes the proteins that some of the
> clean up crew need. If this is the case, could I be killing my clean up
> crew with the skimmer?
>
>
> "ITGuy" > wrote in message
> ...
>> I bought a new skimmer and this is my first time ever using one.
>>
>> It is a hang on the tank type and is rated for 180 gallons, but I have it
>> on an already established 30 gallon tank. Reason I got it so big is I
>> plan on setting up a 55 gallon in the near future.
>>
>> Anyway, it seems to operate...the column is filled with bubbles. But no
>> gunk is coming out and the return water puts lots of micro bubbles in my
>> tank.
>>
>> Am I doing anything wrong, or have I just not had it set up long enough.
>> This is the first day its in operation.
>>
>> I even stirred up the tank so that some of the crap rose up into the tank
>> hoping it would suck alot of it out.
>>
>
>

KurtG

June 5th 07, 01:57 PM

ITGuy wrote:
> If this is the case, could I be killing my clean up
> crew with the skimmer?

I doubt it. A skimmer is a fairly passive device and it would take much
longer to starve worms.

It's more likely from stirring things up.

--Kurt

ONJ

June 5th 07, 03:50 PM

"Wayne Sallee" > wrote in message
...
> Look to see if you are getting so many bubbles in the tank, that the
> bubbles are sticking to the worms, and floating them up.

Ya...thats is what is happening. They are alive. The skimmer even sucked a
few of them up.

Someone said the bubbles will go away when the skimmer starts producing.

And right now the skimmer water is bubbling several inches below the top of
the collection cup tube. I didn't think I wanted bubbling water overflowing
into the cup. Am I correct in thinking that if I leave it at this level
that it will start to foam later and then start going into the cup?

Also, I see all these videos or pics of foam/froth boiling over into the cup
and makes me think this cup will fill up with water and gunk within a few
hours.....I'd hate to think I'd have to come home every few hours from work
just to keep the cup from overflowing.

Wayne Sallee

June 5th 07, 03:52 PM

Yep, I'd advise that you reduce the air input.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets

ONJ wrote on 6/5/2007 10:50 AM:
> "Wayne Sallee" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Look to see if you are getting so many bubbles in the tank, that the
>> bubbles are sticking to the worms, and floating them up.
>
> Ya...thats is what is happening. They are alive. The skimmer even sucked a
> few of them up.
>
> Someone said the bubbles will go away when the skimmer starts producing.
>
> And right now the skimmer water is bubbling several inches below the top of
> the collection cup tube. I didn't think I wanted bubbling water overflowing
> into the cup. Am I correct in thinking that if I leave it at this level
> that it will start to foam later and then start going into the cup?
>
> Also, I see all these videos or pics of foam/froth boiling over into the cup
> and makes me think this cup will fill up with water and gunk within a few
> hours.....I'd hate to think I'd have to come home every few hours from work
> just to keep the cup from overflowing.
>
>

ONJ

June 5th 07, 07:15 PM

"Wayne Sallee" > wrote in message
nk.net...
> Yep, I'd advise that you reduce the air input.

Ok, so if I understand you correctly. Even though it is just bubbling water
at this point and no foam, should I reduce the air input and should the
bubbling water be spilling into the cup? Keep in mind at this point thats
all it is, bubbling water, no foam yet.

My fear is if I do it will fill up during the day when I'm at work and
overflow.

>
> Wayne Sallee
> Wayne's Pets
>
>
> ONJ wrote on 6/5/2007 10:50 AM:
>> "Wayne Sallee" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Look to see if you are getting so many bubbles in the tank, that the
>>> bubbles are sticking to the worms, and floating them up.
>>
>> Ya...thats is what is happening. They are alive. The skimmer even
>> sucked a few of them up.
>>
>> Someone said the bubbles will go away when the skimmer starts producing.
>>
>> And right now the skimmer water is bubbling several inches below the top
>> of the collection cup tube. I didn't think I wanted bubbling water
>> overflowing into the cup. Am I correct in thinking that if I leave it at
>> this level that it will start to foam later and then start going into the
>> cup?
>>
>> Also, I see all these videos or pics of foam/froth boiling over into the
>> cup and makes me think this cup will fill up with water and gunk within a
>> few hours.....I'd hate to think I'd have to come home every few hours
>> from work just to keep the cup from overflowing.

KurtG

June 5th 07, 07:58 PM

ONJ wrote:
> My fear is if I do it will fill up during the day when I'm at work and
> overflow.

You need to skim very wet to have this happen. It only happened to me
once (because I started kalkwasser), but my skimmer is in the sump, so
not really an issue.

If it hasn't generated skimmage yet, chances are it's not going to
overflow anytime soon. If it's a worry, just unplug it until you can
monitor it again.

Adjustment depends on your type of skimmer:

My ASM G3 has an outlet pipe that is the only adjustment. I could move
the outlet higher to skim wetter and I suppose reduce bubbles in the
outflow.

Some have an air jet that can be adjusted and if you have this, you can
adjust downward to reduce bubbles.

And, still others allow you to move the collection cup up or down to
adjust wet versus dry skimming. If you have this and are worried about
overflow, move your collection cup up.

Let us know what brand and model you have.

--Kurt

ONJ

June 5th 07, 07:59 PM

"KurtG" > wrote in message
. ..
> ONJ wrote:
>> My fear is if I do it will fill up during the day when I'm at work and
>> overflow.
>
> You need to skim very wet to have this happen. It only happened to me
> once (because I started kalkwasser), but my skimmer is in the sump, so
> not really an issue.
>
> If it hasn't generated skimmage yet, chances are it's not going to
> overflow anytime soon. If it's a worry, just unplug it until you can
> monitor it again.
>
> Adjustment depends on your type of skimmer:

Well I guess my question is, do I run it so that the bubbling water is at
the bottom of the collection cup tube and it will foam up to the top later?
Or do I run the water level towards the top of the tube?

KurtG

June 5th 07, 08:08 PM

ONJ wrote:
> Well I guess my question is, do I run it so that the bubbling water is at
> the bottom of the collection cup tube and it will foam up to the top later?
> Or do I run the water level towards the top of the tube?

Definitely at the bottom or lower. I currently run mine about 6" below
the lip to the collection cup, and I had to use an anti-foaming agent to
get it to condense.

Start off with the water level low. If you don't get any skimmate, you
can always raise it later.

--Kurt

Pondmeister

June 5th 07, 08:19 PM

Hope that stinking sloppy soupy skanky Gill P.'s breath smelling
crap over flows the collection cup and runs all over your parquet
floors or wall to wall carpets, and your house smells like yours wifes
crotch!

On Tue, 5 Jun 2007 13:59:48 -0500, "ONJ" > wrote:

<<>>"KurtG" > wrote in message
. ..
<<>>> ONJ wrote:
<<>>>> My fear is if I do it will fill up during the day when I'm at work and
<<>>>> overflow.
<<>>>
<<>>> You need to skim very wet to have this happen. It only happened to me
<<>>> once (because I started kalkwasser), but my skimmer is in the sump, so
<<>>> not really an issue.
<<>>>
<<>>> If it hasn't generated skimmage yet, chances are it's not going to
<<>>> overflow anytime soon. If it's a worry, just unplug it until you can
<<>>> monitor it again.
<<>>>
<<>>> Adjustment depends on your type of skimmer:
<<>>
<<>>Well I guess my question is, do I run it so that the bubbling water is at
<<>>the bottom of the collection cup tube and it will foam up to the top later?
<<>>Or do I run the water level towards the top of the tube?
<<>>

-------
I forgot more about ponds and koi than I'll ever know!

ONJ

June 5th 07, 10:17 PM

"KurtG" > wrote in message
. ..
> ONJ wrote:
>> Well I guess my question is, do I run it so that the bubbling water is at
>> the bottom of the collection cup tube and it will foam up to the top
>> later?
>> Or do I run the water level towards the top of the tube?
>
> Definitely at the bottom or lower. I currently run mine about 6" below
> the lip to the collection cup, and I had to use an anti-foaming agent to
> get it to condense.
>
> Start off with the water level low. If you don't get any skimmate, you
> can always raise it later.

Great!...thats what I needed to know. Thanks man!!

ONJ

June 5th 07, 10:18 PM

You're in my killfile loser.

"Pondmeister" > wrote in message
...
> Hope that stinking sloppy soupy skanky Gill P.'s breath smelling
> crap over flows the collection cup and runs all over your parquet
> floors or wall to wall carpets, and your house smells like yours wifes
> crotch!
>
> On Tue, 5 Jun 2007 13:59:48 -0500, "ONJ" > wrote:
>
> <<>>"KurtG" > wrote in message
> . ..
> <<>>> ONJ wrote:
> <<>>>> My fear is if I do it will fill up during the day when I'm at work
> and
> <<>>>> overflow.
> <<>>>
> <<>>> You need to skim very wet to have this happen. It only happened to
> me
> <<>>> once (because I started kalkwasser), but my skimmer is in the sump,
> so
> <<>>> not really an issue.
> <<>>>
> <<>>> If it hasn't generated skimmage yet, chances are it's not going to
> <<>>> overflow anytime soon. If it's a worry, just unplug it until you
> can
> <<>>> monitor it again.
> <<>>>
> <<>>> Adjustment depends on your type of skimmer:
> <<>>
> <<>>Well I guess my question is, do I run it so that the bubbling water is
> at
> <<>>the bottom of the collection cup tube and it will foam up to the top
> later?
> <<>>Or do I run the water level towards the top of the tube?
> <<>>
>
>
>
> -------
> I forgot more about ponds and koi than I'll ever know!

Pondmeister

June 5th 07, 11:12 PM

Well what took you so freaking long loser? What happened, Wayne Salle
threaten to kill file y if yu replied or did not shw him proof of the
kill file! loser!

On Tue, 5 Jun 2007 16:18:10 -0500, "ONJ" > wrote:

<<>>You're in my killfile loser.
<<>>
<<>>"Pondmeister" > wrote in message
...
<<>>> Hope that stinking sloppy soupy skanky Gill P.'s breath smelling
<<>>> crap over flows the collection cup and runs all over your parquet
<<>>> floors or wall to wall carpets, and your house smells like yours wifes
<<>>> crotch!
<<>>>
<<>>> On Tue, 5 Jun 2007 13:59:48 -0500, "ONJ" > wrote:
<<>>>
<<>>> <<>>"KurtG" > wrote in message
<<>>> . ..
<<>>> <<>>> ONJ wrote:
<<>>> <<>>>> My fear is if I do it will fill up during the day when I'm at work
<<>>> and
<<>>> <<>>>> overflow.
<<>>> <<>>>
<<>>> <<>>> You need to skim very wet to have this happen. It only happened to
<<>>> me
<<>>> <<>>> once (because I started kalkwasser), but my skimmer is in the sump,
<<>>> so
<<>>> <<>>> not really an issue.
<<>>> <<>>>
<<>>> <<>>> If it hasn't generated skimmage yet, chances are it's not going to
<<>>> <<>>> overflow anytime soon. If it's a worry, just unplug it until you
<<>>> can
<<>>> <<>>> monitor it again.
<<>>> <<>>>
<<>>> <<>>> Adjustment depends on your type of skimmer:
<<>>> <<>>
<<>>> <<>>Well I guess my question is, do I run it so that the bubbling water is
<<>>> at
<<>>> <<>>the bottom of the collection cup tube and it will foam up to the top
<<>>> later?
<<>>> <<>>Or do I run the water level towards the top of the tube?
<<>>> <<>>
<<>>>
<<>>>
<<>>>
<<>>> -------
<<>>> I forgot more about ponds and koi than I'll ever know!
<<>>

-------
I forgot more about ponds and koi than I'll ever know!

George Patterson

June 6th 07, 04:31 AM

ITGuy wrote:
> Well here is what is happening. The videos I see of skimmers show a frothy
> foam boiling over into the collection cup.

If the water is filthy and the skimmer is one of the high-efficiency models,
you'll see this sort of thing. That's not normal.

> Right now all I have is bubbly water, no foam or froth. When I adjust the
> air inlet valve, where should the top of the bubbling water be? down in the
> tube, or up top about ready to boil over?

Bubbly water is normal for a clean tank. The level of the water should be at
least 1/4" and no more than 1" below the bottom of the uprise tube into the
collection cup. If the water is into the tube, you have a problem. The fix
depends on the type of skimmer. With mine, the problem could be either too much
water flow or too much air flow. With a venturi skimmer, water flow is the only
parameter.

George Patterson
If you torture the data long enough, eventually it will confess
to anything.

George Patterson

June 6th 07, 04:33 AM

ITGuy wrote:
> Well here is something I noticed this morning. Quite a few bristleworms,
> can't tell if they are dead or not, floating at the top towards the back of
> the tank. I heard that a skimmer removes the proteins that some of the
> clean up crew need. If this is the case, could I be killing my clean up
> crew with the skimmer?

Bristle worms eat things much more substantial than the crud a skimmer removes.
Something else is killing your worms.

George Patterson
If you torture the data long enough, eventually it will confess
to anything.

George Patterson

June 6th 07, 04:34 AM

ONJ wrote:

> Well I guess my question is, do I run it so that the bubbling water is at
> the bottom of the collection cup tube and it will foam up to the top later?

Yep - that's about right. The water actually should be between 1/4" and 1" below
the bottom of the tube.

George Patterson
If you torture the data long enough, eventually it will confess
to anything.

George Patterson

June 6th 07, 04:37 AM

ONJ wrote:
> You're in my killfile loser.

Don't quote people like this. Those of us who have had this guy in a killfile
for a long time would prefer not to see his drivel in your posts.

Of course, if you want to get into a lot of killfiles, then ignore this advice.

George Patterson
If you torture the data long enough, eventually it will confess
to anything.

KurtG

June 6th 07, 03:04 PM

George Patterson wrote:
> If the water is filthy and the skimmer is one of the high-efficiency
> models, you'll see this sort of thing. That's not normal.

Mine always looks like that, although it moves like a glacier. For some
reason, my foam refuses to condense, so after it forms, it will give the
illusion of a slow motion boiling over mass of foam.

Without an anti-foaming agent, the will occupy every space available and
then foam out of every orifice that it can find. I haven't heard of
this happening to anybody else.

--Kurt

ONJ

June 6th 07, 03:59 PM

"George Patterson" > wrote in message
news:UVp9i.3127$6h.2010@trnddc08...
> ITGuy wrote:
>> Well here is something I noticed this morning. Quite a few bristleworms,
>> can't tell if they are dead or not, floating at the top towards the back
>> of the tank. I heard that a skimmer removes the proteins that some of
>> the clean up crew need. If this is the case, could I be killing my clean
>> up crew with the skimmer?
>
> Bristle worms eat things much more substantial than the crud a skimmer
> removes. Something else is killing your worms.

Actually I looked and they are alive. I think someone else hit the nail on
the head. The bubbles are sticking to them and lifting them to the top of
the tank.

So I guess the question is, will the bubbles in the tank start to go away
once the skimmer is broken in and it starts foaming?

Wayne Sallee

June 6th 07, 07:01 PM

Just send it to a collection container.

In my opinion, it's silly to make protein skimmers
with collection cups. I think they all should just
be made to feed into a separate collection
container. via hose.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets

KurtG wrote on 6/6/2007 10:04 AM:
> George Patterson wrote:
>> If the water is filthy and the skimmer is one of the high-efficiency
>> models, you'll see this sort of thing. That's not normal.
>
> Mine always looks like that, although it moves like a glacier. For some
> reason, my foam refuses to condense, so after it forms, it will give the
> illusion of a slow motion boiling over mass of foam.
>
> Without an anti-foaming agent, the will occupy every space available and
> then foam out of every orifice that it can find. I haven't heard of
> this happening to anybody else.
>
> --Kurt

Wayne Sallee

June 6th 07, 07:04 PM

Often a new skimmer will send more bubbles into the
tank until it's broken in, but I'd be making some
adjustments now to stop the bubbles from going into
the tank.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets

ONJ wrote on 6/6/2007 10:59 AM:
> "George Patterson" > wrote in message
> news:UVp9i.3127$6h.2010@trnddc08...
>> ITGuy wrote:
>>> Well here is something I noticed this morning. Quite a few bristleworms,
>>> can't tell if they are dead or not, floating at the top towards the back
>>> of the tank. I heard that a skimmer removes the proteins that some of
>>> the clean up crew need. If this is the case, could I be killing my clean
>>> up crew with the skimmer?
>> Bristle worms eat things much more substantial than the crud a skimmer
>> removes. Something else is killing your worms.
>
> Actually I looked and they are alive. I think someone else hit the nail on
> the head. The bubbles are sticking to them and lifting them to the top of
> the tank.
>
> So I guess the question is, will the bubbles in the tank start to go away
> once the skimmer is broken in and it starts foaming?
>
>

ONJ

June 6th 07, 07:48 PM

"Wayne Sallee" > wrote in message
...
> Just send it to a collection container.
>
> In my opinion, it's silly to make protein skimmers with collection cups. I
> think they all should just be made to feed into a separate collection
> container. via hose.

Do you have any resources to refer me to where you can order kits to modify
an existing collection cup?

ONJ

June 6th 07, 07:49 PM

"Wayne Sallee" > wrote in message
...
> Often a new skimmer will send more bubbles into the tank until it's broken
> in, but I'd be making some adjustments now to stop the bubbles from going
> into the tank.

Well it seems to only way to do that is to reduce the air to almost nothing,
then what happens is the cup overflows with just sal****er.

>
> Wayne Sallee
> Wayne's Pets
>
>
> ONJ wrote on 6/6/2007 10:59 AM:
>> "George Patterson" > wrote in message
>> news:UVp9i.3127$6h.2010@trnddc08...
>>> ITGuy wrote:
>>>> Well here is something I noticed this morning. Quite a few
>>>> bristleworms, can't tell if they are dead or not, floating at the top
>>>> towards the back of the tank. I heard that a skimmer removes the
>>>> proteins that some of the clean up crew need. If this is the case,
>>>> could I be killing my clean up crew with the skimmer?
>>> Bristle worms eat things much more substantial than the crud a skimmer
>>> removes. Something else is killing your worms.
>>
>> Actually I looked and they are alive. I think someone else hit the nail
>> on the head. The bubbles are sticking to them and lifting them to the
>> top of the tank.
>>
>> So I guess the question is, will the bubbles in the tank start to go away
>> once the skimmer is broken in and it starts foaming?

Wayne Sallee

June 6th 07, 09:04 PM

Some manufactures have such kits. Check with the
manufacture of your skimmer. If they don't, the most
common method that people use is to drill a hole in
the side at the bottom of the collection cup, and
put a tubing in it draining to a collection
container. Some protein skimmers are designed with
no collection cup, and they simply have a tube that
drains to a collection container that you can
provide, it can be just about any container.

If you search the net, you should be able to find a
number of DIY projects of this nature.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets

ONJ wrote on 6/6/2007 2:48 PM:
> "Wayne Sallee" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Just send it to a collection container.
>>
>> In my opinion, it's silly to make protein skimmers with collection cups. I
>> think they all should just be made to feed into a separate collection
>> container. via hose.
>
> Do you have any resources to refer me to where you can order kits to modify
> an existing collection cup?
>
>

Wayne Sallee

June 6th 07, 09:05 PM

What brand skimmer do you have?
Dose it have a water flow adjuster?
What happens if you open the air all the way up?

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets

ONJ wrote on 6/6/2007 2:49 PM:
> "Wayne Sallee" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Often a new skimmer will send more bubbles into the tank until it's broken
>> in, but I'd be making some adjustments now to stop the bubbles from going
>> into the tank.
>
> Well it seems to only way to do that is to reduce the air to almost nothing,
> then what happens is the cup overflows with just sal****er.
>
>
>
>> Wayne Sallee
>> Wayne's Pets
>>
>>
>> ONJ wrote on 6/6/2007 10:59 AM:
>>> "George Patterson" > wrote in message
>>> news:UVp9i.3127$6h.2010@trnddc08...
>>>> ITGuy wrote:
>>>>> Well here is something I noticed this morning. Quite a few
>>>>> bristleworms, can't tell if they are dead or not, floating at the top
>>>>> towards the back of the tank. I heard that a skimmer removes the
>>>>> proteins that some of the clean up crew need. If this is the case,
>>>>> could I be killing my clean up crew with the skimmer?
>>>> Bristle worms eat things much more substantial than the crud a skimmer
>>>> removes. Something else is killing your worms.
>>> Actually I looked and they are alive. I think someone else hit the nail
>>> on the head. The bubbles are sticking to them and lifting them to the
>>> top of the tank.
>>>
>>> So I guess the question is, will the bubbles in the tank start to go away
>>> once the skimmer is broken in and it starts foaming?
>
>

ONJ

June 7th 07, 03:05 PM

"Wayne Sallee" > wrote in message
...
> What brand skimmer do you have?
> Dose it have a water flow adjuster?
> What happens if you open the air all the way up?

Just to try it, I got one of those Jebo 180 with an AP1500 power head.

It produces good micro bubbles in the chamber. It has an air adjustment
valve. If I open it all the way up, the water level goes to the bottom of
the collection cup tube. If I close it, it overflows with water.

I am keeping it open right now where the water level is at the bottom of the
collection cup tube. I think it might have worked because the cup was clean
when I left, and when I got home there was a little water and gunk in the
cup. But no foam like I've seen in a few videos.

>
> Wayne Sallee
> Wayne's Pets
>
>
> ONJ wrote on 6/6/2007 2:49 PM:
>> "Wayne Sallee" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Often a new skimmer will send more bubbles into the tank until it's
>>> broken in, but I'd be making some adjustments now to stop the bubbles
>>> from going into the tank.
>>
>> Well it seems to only way to do that is to reduce the air to almost
>> nothing, then what happens is the cup overflows with just sal****er.
>>
>>
>>
>>> Wayne Sallee
>>> Wayne's Pets
>>>
>>>
>>> ONJ wrote on 6/6/2007 10:59 AM:
>>>> "George Patterson" > wrote in message
>>>> news:UVp9i.3127$6h.2010@trnddc08...
>>>>> ITGuy wrote:
>>>>>> Well here is something I noticed this morning. Quite a few
>>>>>> bristleworms, can't tell if they are dead or not, floating at the top
>>>>>> towards the back of the tank. I heard that a skimmer removes the
>>>>>> proteins that some of the clean up crew need. If this is the case,
>>>>>> could I be killing my clean up crew with the skimmer?
>>>>> Bristle worms eat things much more substantial than the crud a skimmer
>>>>> removes. Something else is killing your worms.
>>>> Actually I looked and they are alive. I think someone else hit the
>>>> nail on the head. The bubbles are sticking to them and lifting them to
>>>> the top of the tank.
>>>>
>>>> So I guess the question is, will the bubbles in the tank start to go
>>>> away once the skimmer is broken in and it starts foaming?
>>

Wayne Sallee

June 7th 07, 03:56 PM

If you put an egg white in the tank, you will see
some foam :-) hehehehe

When you open the air wide open, do you still get a
lot of air bubbles in the tank?

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets

ONJ

June 7th 07, 04:32 PM

"Wayne Sallee" > wrote in message
...
> If you put an egg white in the tank, you will see some foam :-) hehehehe
>
> When you open the air wide open, do you still get a lot of air bubbles in
> the tank?

Yes. I wouldn't say its alot, but enough to float some bristleworms.

Wayne Sallee

June 7th 07, 06:27 PM

I'd be looking to see how you can stop all those air
bubbles from going into the tank. Review the
instructions on the skimmer, and if you still can't
get it to clear, call the manufacture.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets

ONJ wrote on 6/7/2007 11:32 AM:
> "Wayne Sallee" > wrote in message
> ...
>> If you put an egg white in the tank, you will see some foam :-) hehehehe
>>
>> When you open the air wide open, do you still get a lot of air bubbles in
>> the tank?
>
> Yes. I wouldn't say its alot, but enough to float some bristleworms.
>
>

ONJ

June 8th 07, 05:10 PM

Another question I have, since the design is pretty much the same as any
other skimmer, is the real difference in the water pump? It came with an
AP1500 power head. Would getting a better head help?
I'd need it to be big enough for a 55 gallon...some ppl say get it for at
least double the size of your tank.

Also, what is the deal with a "break-in" period? This is an existing tank,
why does a skimmer have to "break-in"? All it is is plastic and a pump.

Pondmeister

June 8th 07, 05:38 PM

Getting better head is always a plus dude...I would have thought you
knew that by now. On Fri, 8 Jun 2007 11:10:03 -0500, "ONJ"
> wrote:

snip
<<>> Would getting a better head help?
<<>>I'd need it to be big enough for a 55 gallon...some ppl say get it for at
<<>>least double the size of yourdick.
Dam your well hung then huh? big enugh for a 55 gal drum......
<<>>
<<>>Also, what is the deal with a "break-in" period?
Ya don;t want t ruin a good thing and get it all bruised and puffed up
do you? Use lots and lots of lube to keep the friction down......I
take it the skimmer you have is like a pocket pussy huh?

-------
I forgot more about ponds and koi than I'll ever know!

Wayne Sallee

June 8th 07, 10:52 PM

The break in period is caused by new plastic. new
plastic being petroleum based, caused the bubbles to
pop easier. over time, the bacteria cleans the
plastic off.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets

ONJ wrote on 6/8/2007 12:10 PM:
> Another question I have, since the design is pretty much the same as any
> other skimmer, is the real difference in the water pump? It came with an
> AP1500 power head. Would getting a better head help?
> I'd need it to be big enough for a 55 gallon...some ppl say get it for at
> least double the size of your tank.
>
> Also, what is the deal with a "break-in" period? This is an existing tank,
> why does a skimmer have to "break-in"? All it is is plastic and a pump.
>
>

Pondmeister

June 8th 07, 11:11 PM

BUZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ WRONG ****ING ANSWER WAYNE...right theory
wrong answer dumbass.

On Fri, 08 Jun 2007 17:52:41 -0400, Wayne Sallee
> wrote:

<<>>The break in period is caused by new plastic. new
<<>>plastic being petroleum based, caused the bubbles to
<<>>pop easier. over time, the bacteria cleans the
<<>>plastic off.
<<>>
<<>>Wayne Sallee
<<>>Wayne's Pets

<<>>
<<>>ONJ wrote on 6/8/2007 12:10 PM:
<<>>> Another question I have, since the design is pretty much the same as any
<<>>> other skimmer, is the real difference in the water pump? It came with an
<<>>> AP1500 power head. Would getting a better head help?
<<>>> I'd need it to be big enough for a 55 gallon...some ppl say get it for at
<<>>> least double the size of your tank.
<<>>>
<<>>> Also, what is the deal with a "break-in" period? This is an existing tank,
<<>>> why does a skimmer have to "break-in"? All it is is plastic and a pump.
<<>>>
<<>>>

-------
I forgot more about ponds and koi than I'll ever know!

Not Roger

June 9th 07, 08:44 AM

Yet again, you are depriving your Home Town of a village idiot.
Your diapers runneth over........

"Pondmeister" > wrote in message
...
>
>
> Getting better head is always a plus dude...I would have thought you
> knew that by now. On Fri, 8 Jun 2007 11:10:03 -0500, "ONJ"
> > wrote:
>
>
> snip
> <<>> Would getting a better head help?
!

Tynk

June 9th 07, 03:20 PM

On Jun 9, 2:44?am, "Not Roger" <anon@anon> wrote:
> Yet again, you are depriving your Home Town of a village idiot.
> Your diapers runneth over........
>

ROFL!!

Thank you, Not Roger.
I needed a laugh. = )~

Pondmeister

June 9th 07, 03:50 PM

So you pitch fits about my and thers cross posting yet you feel your
perfectly correct n assuming yu are able to do it withut a
problem....get a ****ing life TYNK, your a bigger troll on usenet than
those yu accuse of being trolls ever was.

Tynk the self proclaimed fish guru who just like Wayne Sallee, does
not know what they are talking about. Hey Tynk, I bet your family
roots are twisted around Waynes somewhere, or is Waynes root firmly in
your grasp.....

On Sat, 09 Jun 2007 07:20:48 -0700, Tynk > wrote:

<<>>On Jun 9, 2:44?am, "Not Roger" <anon@anon> wrote:
<<>>> Yet again, you are depriving your Home Town of a village idiot.
<<>>> Your diapers runneth over........
<<>>>
<<>>
<<>>
<<>>
<<>>ROFL!!
<<>>
<<>>Thank you, Not Roger.
<<>>I needed a laugh. = )~

-------
I forgot more about ponds and koi than I'll ever know!

ONJ

June 11th 07, 03:09 PM

Well, it actually started producing today. Its not as much foam as I see
other skimmers producing, but it is getting a little stuff out. Alot of
people I have seen say the waste should be brownish, but mine is green.

This sound about right?

Wayne Sallee

June 11th 07, 04:18 PM

Yes green is very normal. It will vary from
tea/coffee colored to green colored. The green is
from algae. If you look at it under a microscope you
will see bits of algae, and also single cell algae.

Wayne Sallee
Wayne's Pets

ONJ wrote on 6/11/2007 10:09 AM:
> Well, it actually started producing today. Its not as much foam as I see
> other skimmers producing, but it is getting a little stuff out. Alot of
> people I have seen say the waste should be brownish, but mine is green.
>
> This sound about right?
>
>