Not Skimming.......

What does it mean if the Skimmer is not producing foam? (Its not
broken,sometimes it does,sometmes it doesnt.)
Does it mean that at that particular moment there is very little
free-floating dead organic matter in the tank?
Is this a sign of improving water quality?

another from the "newb".....

StringerBell wrote:
What does it mean if the Skimmer is not producing foam? (Its not
broken,sometimes it does,sometmes it doesnt.)
Does it mean that at that particular moment there is very little
free-floating dead organic matter in the tank?

Yep.

Is this a sign of improving water quality?

Sort of. It's not really connected to the current level of nitrites, nitrates,
etc. in the tank, but it does indicate that the ammonia and nitrite levels will
drop soon.

George Patterson
All successes in conservation are temporary. All defeats are permanent.

"George Patterson" wrote in message
news:2zbSg.2996$Kw1.250@trnddc05...

Sort of. It's not really connected to the current level of nitrites,
nitrates, etc. in the tank, but it does indicate that the ammonia and
nitrite levels will drop soon.

There is definitely dead stuff on the sandy bottom. Should I stir things up
into the water so that the skimmer has a chance to remove that stuff too?

"StringerBell" wrote in message ...
Sort of. It's not really connected to the current level of nitrites,
nitrates, etc. in the tank, but it does indicate that the ammonia and
nitrite levels will drop soon.

There is definitely dead stuff on the sandy bottom. Should I stir things up
into the water so that the skimmer has a chance to remove that stuff too?

Skimmer is not particularly good in removing large particles...
They are usually to heavy for the foam to lift it out of the water.
Skimmer is mostly used to remove dissolved organic impurites and
mikroscopic particles (including fito-zoo-plankton, unfortunatelly).

Read this:
http://saltaquarium.about.com/cs/pro...111097skim.htm
And he
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-08/rhf/index.php

Skimmer is not particularly good in removing large particles...
They are usually to heavy for the foam to lift it out of the water.
Skimmer is mostly used to remove dissolved organic impurites and
mikroscopic particles (including fito-zoo-plankton, unfortunatelly).

Skimmers do not remove ALL organic compounds. Skimmers are ONLY effective
at removing dissolved organic compounds that contain a hydrophilic and
hydrophobic portion.

StringerBell wrote:

There is definitely dead stuff on the sandy bottom. Should I stir things up
into the water so that the skimmer has a chance to remove that stuff too?

No. The skimmer removes certain liquid substances from the water. It is not a
particulate matter filter. If you want to remove these items, there are several
ways with which I've had success.

1) You can hook up something like a diatom filter and stir the water up, letting
the diatom remove what it can. Don't run out and buy a diatom filter, though.
They clog rapidly, and you won't want to use one once you have livestock in the
tank (especially filter feeders).

2) You can also use a "python" brand vacuum system when you run your next water
change. I like this method a lot, since it picks up the detritus right from the
bottom. You do have to develop a certain amount of skill with it to avoid
vacuuming up your sand, but I use one for every water change.

3) You can use a similar vacuuming attachment with a particulate matter filter.
I have a "Hot Magnum" that I use for this sort of thing. I've not used it since
I put in my sand substrate, so I don't know how much trouble that will be. I
suspect it will take less skill than working with the python.

George Patterson
All successes in conservation are temporary. All defeats are permanent.

"b-O0ger" wrote in message ...
Skimmer is not particularly good in removing large particles...
They are usually to heavy for the foam to lift it out of the water.
Skimmer is mostly used to remove dissolved organic impurites and
mikroscopic particles (including fito-zoo-plankton, unfortunatelly).

Skimmers do not remove ALL organic compounds.

Correct, but who said they remove them ALL ?

"StringerBell" wrote in message
news
What does it mean if the Skimmer is not producing foam? (Its not
broken,sometimes it does,sometmes it doesnt.)
Does it mean that at that particular moment there is very little
free-floating dead organic matter in the tank?
Is this a sign of improving water quality?

another from the "newb".....


it means your not using it properly
match water height with skimmer height
tis tricky at first
but once ya got him
clamp it there