How do you know if the protein skimmer is working

Discussion in 'New To The Hobby' started by queshibo, Nov 27, 2006.

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  1. queshibo

    queshibo Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2006
    Messages:
    50
    Location:
    Hawaii
    I am new to this hobby. I purchased a 75gal tank about a year ago when I was back in the states. I built my own stand and everything except for the filter. After about 9 months of putting this tank together, I was finally able to get it set up. Live rock is illegal to collect here in Hawaii, or have it imported which makes my case a little more difficult. None the less there are ways ways of getting rock. So now I will start. My wet/dry filter has a protein skimmer built into it from pro aquatics. How do you know if its working right and is it supposed to be running all day 24/7. If i let it run, it will take out about a 1-2 gallons a day of water. I dont really get the mud type fluid that I see alot of people talking about. Can someone help me out with this problem.
     
    queshibo, Nov 27, 2006
    queshibo, Nov 27, 2006
    #1

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  2. inwall75

    inwall75 Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Sep 10, 2003
    Messages:
    7,172
    Location:
    America
    I couldn't find anything from Pro Aquatics on the Internet to help you. However, I did find some things from Proclear Aquatics. Is that what you have?

    Pro Wet Dry
     
    inwall75, Nov 27, 2006
    inwall75, Nov 27, 2006
    #2
  3. nemo79

    nemo79 Zoanthid

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2006
    Messages:
    1,119
    Location:
    ontario, canada
    skimmer

    How long has the skimmer been running? Some of them take a week or two to kick in. I have the remora skimmer and mine doesn't remove thick gumk either but it still removes a brown liquid.

    Are you planning a fish only or a reef set up? If you could get one or 2 pieces of liverock the rest could be a base rock and the liverock would seed the base. I have 40lbs LR in my tank and 20lbs of tufa rock which has already seeded from the LR. In only 5 months and my tufa is turning purple, has critters on it.
     
    nemo79, Nov 27, 2006
    nemo79, Nov 27, 2006
    #3
  4. Blade_Runner

    Blade_Runner Gigas Clam

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2004
    Messages:
    851
    Location:
    Carpentersville, IL
    I'm not familiar with that brand either.

    It does sound like you have WAY too much output for a 75. I have 600g in system and don't draw that much in a week. What type of controls do you have on it? Off the cuff, it sounds like the water level is too high in the skimmer. Is there a waste gate or adjustable output that you can open up?
     
    Blade_Runner, Nov 27, 2006
    Blade_Runner, Nov 27, 2006
    #4
  5. queshibo

    queshibo Astrea Snail

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2006
    Messages:
    50
    Location:
    Hawaii
    sry it is the proclear rated for 150gal. i have the water level in the sump just below the egcrate. The only control that i have is for the pump which allows to turn on and on off the bubbles or amount of air going into the skimmer part
     
    queshibo, Nov 27, 2006
    queshibo, Nov 27, 2006
    #5