Skimmer Problems...No Skimmate

[downhillbiker]

I just set up a new/used skimmer and am not seeing much skimmate.

The skimmer is a Top Fathom 36" tall x 6.5" diameter. It was originally designed as a venturi skimmer, to be run by a large pump such as a mag 9.

I modded the skimmer and removed the 2 venturi's and added a Sedra 9000 needle wheel pump. It is producing a massive amount of bubbles, that are very fine. The water level is where it is supposed to be, but I am not getting much skimmate.

I heard that they have a break-in period, but it doesn't make sense to me. Why would this make a difference? The skimmer is on a 72 gallon tank, so is way oversized, could this be the problem? Will it get better?

Here is a pic of the skimmer, it is the one under the arrow. Please help, I dont understand skimming too much.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm107/downhill_biker/Skimmers.gif

[downhillbiker]

anyone?

[hairyman1]

Can you adjust the skimmer water level higher? When you shut the air off does it overflow? The break in period for new skimmers varies, but shouldn't take more than 72 hours. It should make some skimmate during that time, however. I relate to all your interests, but what the hell is beer pong? With some aspirating skimmers you adjust the water level first with the air shut off and keep the water level slightly under the riser then slowly turn on the air and see what happens. You can't play with adjustments during any break in period, however. After three days you should be able to set it where it will make wet skimmate. After that it's just a matter of reducing the water level until you get the dry foam you desire. Patience is the key here. During any break in period levels will fluctuate and adjustments will not be permanant. That's just the way it is. When all the plastic surfaces achieve electrical balence, eg, get a slime coating on them then the skimmer should be able to be dialed in and watch it go.

[downhillbiker]

thanks for the comment. the water level is as high as it goes, about 1" below the skimmer cup attachment. it does produce some skimmate, about 1/4" of dark each day, when i feed it goes crazy, but i just expected more, it isn't producing quite as much as my old smaller skimmer did.

here is a pic of what it does after feeding. doesnt quit till about hour and a half later. pulls about half a gallon of this stuff, if not more.

still waiting for it to do more the rest of the time though. just weird to me that it works like crazy when i feed and does almost nothing the rest of the time.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm107/downhill_biker/downhill_biker%20tank%20pics/2008%20Reef/CoraBackpacking10-08106.jpg

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm107/downhill_biker/downhill_biker%20tank%20pics/2008%20Reef/CoraBackpacking10-08107.jpg

beer pong is where you set up red plastic cups on a table in a triangle, like bowling pins, then shoot a pingpong ball into the other teams cups. if you make it they have to chug, then shoot. the ball ends up rolling across the floor, dip it in fresh water with a little bleach and go, its part of the fun. usually play in teams of 2. play with 9 cups, or sometimes 32....but the cups are only 1/3 full, lets be real here.

[downhillbiker]

update. its slowly getting better. i think it is just breaking in. here is what it is doing without feeding. this is 12 hours worth.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm107/downhill_biker/downhill_biker%20tank%20pics/2008%20Reef/skimmer001.jpg