Skimmer foam question....

[ser_renely]

So after having issues with skimming(oily water) I got things skimming pretty well. I noticed last night that now my skim is just foam? The foam comming into the collection cup is just that foam...it seemed to usually change to water.

What is this an indication of?

Urchin ultra with mag 3 and drain.

[acrodave]

sounds like its running right ..that is called dry skimming vs. wet

[ser_renely]

Ahhhhh, ok....makes sense. Still learning so was not too sure.

Can the skimate be too dry? and what makes it drier?

[cveverly]

You should be able to adjust your skimmate from dry to wet by raising or lowering the collection cup. I have not seen your skimmer but I assume lowering it will give a wetter skim.

[acrodave]

you have it backward lowering makes dry ... raiseing it makes wet

[SWINGRRRR]

I think cv has it right. Hes talking about the collection cup, not the water level.

[acrodave]

ahh i posted to fast... i have never moved the cup just the riser tube

[ser_renely]

will try lower the cup....thank you

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Ahhhhh, ok....makes sense. Still learning so was not too sure.

Can the skimate be too dry? and what makes it drier?

Drier often means simply that more water is allowed to drain out of the foam before it is collected. That may be more efficient in terms of water use, but may allow the escape of some organics with the draining water. So it is a trade off. Some people use their skimmer as the export part of water changes, and try to change something like 1% per day with a wet skimmate export.

This may help you understand the skimming process more:

What is Skimming?
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2006-08/rhf/index.php

[ser_renely]

ty for the link

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

:thumbsup:

Good luck. :)