More/less wet skimming?

[hamiltonguy]

Ok so I've read on other forums and heard from people that they're "skimming wetter." At this, point I just smile and nod like an idiot. So, to avoid that again I was wondering what the difference is between skimming wetter and ..drier? :confused:

[drparker]

By changing how high the water level is in the skimmer you control the distance the bubble travel from top of water to overflow into the cup. The longer they travel the more time for water to drain and thus the drier they get. They also build up of organics, become darker "coffee". When they travel a shorter distance they contain more water that has not had a chance to drain, they are less concentrated, lighter in color, "week tea" but typically produce a greater volume.

[fordp]

I would go with wetter skimming. When your dry skimming, the threshold of waste removed is much less than with wet skimming


This is an excellent article:
http://www.centralpets.com/php/search/storiesdisplay.php?Story=17

[hamiltonguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14590575#post14590575 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drparker
By changing how high the water level is in the skimmer you control the distance the bubble travel from top of water to overflow into the cup. The longer they travel the more time for water to drain and thus the drier they get. They also build up of organics, become darker "coffee". When they travel a shorter distance they contain more water that has not had a chance to drain, they are less concentrated, lighter in color, "week tea" but typically produce a greater volume.

As always thanks for the info drparker. But seeing as how I've never seen a skimmer in action, yet. Would you (or anyone) be able to describe how you would control wet/dry skimming on say the Octopus DNW-110 Recirc (b/c I'm planning on getting this and want to know as much as possible in advance).

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h315/thadestroyer/DNW-110-6520.jpg

[PRDubois]

Hope this gives you a picture!



There is a adjustment on the unit to adjust the level in the collection cup

Higher Bubble level means wet Skim/Thinner/ Like Tea
Wetter skims faster and pulls out more water
____________________________
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| / --Bubbles-- \ |
| / \ |
| / \ | WET SKIM
| | | |



Lower Bubble level means Dryer/Thicker/ Darker Skim/ Like dark Sludge
Dryer skims slower and pulls out less water
_________________________
| |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |
| / \ |
| / \ |
| / \ | DRY SKIM
| | ------Bubbles-----| |

[PRDubois]

This would be a wet skim. Bubbles are near the top so they do not have to travel far:
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/dd46/lbmcse/DSCF1148.jpg
http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d125/ccovemaker/IMG_0003.jpg



This is a dryer skim:
Darker & Thicker

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b340/Darthddy/IMG_0001-2.jpg

[drparker]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/583/115488DNW-110-6520.jpg

1. Input connection: tank water is pumped in here.

2. recirculating pump: water is sucked out of the skimmer body(3), air is added via the air tube. The needle wheel impeller chops up the air into small bubbles and pushes the water bubble mix back into the skimmer.

3. Body or bubble chamber: The tank water bubble mix circulates around in this area. This is where DOCs attach to the bubbles. bubbles rise to the neck, part 5.

4. Collection cup: bubbles overflow from the top of the neck that extends up 3/4 or more into the cup.

5. neck:

6. exit drain from skimmer: The height of this drain is the lowest water level possible in the skimmer.

7. riser pipe: this pipe extends past the drain opening and is cut on an angle. When you twist this tub you start to block the drain. By blocking the drain you create back pressure that will cause water to rise above the drain in the skimmer body.

The line that transitions from a water-bubble mix to bubbles only is the "water line". When you adjust the riser pipe you raise the water line closer to the neck or even up into the neck. So the higher the water line the wetter the skimmate.

[hamiltonguy]

Wow thanks Paul. Appreciate the effort put towards the explanation. Being the visual learner that I am it makes much more sense now.

As for the adjuster on the unit, I guess I'll just have to buy it and read the manual :rolleyes:

[hamiltonguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14590657#post14590657 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fordp
I would go with wetter skimming. When your dry skimming, the threshold of waste removed is much less than with wet skimming


This is an excellent article:
http://www.centralpets.com/php/search/storiesdisplay.php?Story=17

Thanks for the article, just finished reading it. Also, describes what I was looking for very well.

[Michael]

a word of advice, if you wet skim keep an eye on your salinity, it removes salt as well as proteins and phos and if you keep topping up with fresh and dont keep an eye on the salinity before you know it your sg could easily drop a point or 2, fwiw, i usually wet skim as well

[hamiltonguy]

Well so far everyone I talked to say they skim wetter. But what are the possible advantages (if any) with dry skimming. I'm sure the option is there for a reason.

[louisvilleboy]

watch your skimmer it is a very good skimmer i have the 250 its not like other skimmers it takes a little longer to break in my other ones i just set theme and went on this one you better set your water level and watch it but it is a very good skimmer

[hamiltonguy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14591946#post14591946 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by drparker
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/583/115488DNW-110-6520.jpg

1. Input connection: tank water is pumped in here.

2. recirculating pump: water is sucked out of the skimmer body(3), air is added via the air tube. The needle wheel impeller chops up the air into small bubbles and pushes the water bubble mix back into the skimmer.

3. Body or bubble chamber: The tank water bubble mix circulates around in this area. This is where DOCs attach to the bubbles. bubbles rise to the neck, part 5.

4. Collection cup: bubbles overflow from the top of the neck that extends up 3/4 or more into the cup.

5. neck:

6. exit drain from skimmer: The height of this drain is the lowest water level possible in the skimmer.

7. riser pipe: this pipe extends past the drain opening and is cut on an angle. When you twist this tub you start to block the drain. By blocking the drain you create back pressure that will cause water to rise above the drain in the skimmer body.

The line that transitions from a water-bubble mix to bubbles only is the "water line". When you adjust the riser pipe you raise the water line closer to the neck or even up into the neck. So the higher the water line the wetter the skimmate.

Thanks again drparker for the very detailed answer. Completely understand it now :D

[EnglishRebel]

I skim wet as I find if I skim dry the "goop" collects on the underside of the skimmer cover and eventually dries and gets washed off by the foam and gets back to the sump where it makes a mess.