Are skimmers usually this loud?

[lakwriter]

Just today I installed an AquaC Remora HOB protein skimmer that I bought used but in perfect shape. It has the Maxi-Jet 1200 pump. It is making a lot of noise. I read the directions, which say that initial noise is normal and will decrease once it has broken in. But...if its even half as loud as it is now, its too loud! It sounds like someone running a faucet constantly and has about the same annoyance factor as someone using a weedwhacker outside your window. I do not have the luxury of space, nor a sump or refugium.
I understand that having the skimmer is important for the health of the tank, but if I can't enjoy it, what good am I doing?
Will the noise really decrease significantly once it is broken in? Is there another brand that is much quieter?
I have a 29g Eclipse tank/hood with 35# LR, 40# LS, 2 ocellaris, 3 green chromis, and a few snails and hermits.
Thanks!

 

[sign guy]

can you post a pic, it may be that the skimmer is not working properly

 

[lakwriter]

I'm not sure what I'd take a picture of. Seems relatively straightforward...directions said to attach the powerhead to the skimmer and plug it in. Thats what I did. Its definetly the skimmer that's making the noise, nit the pump. It appears to be making some foam, but the instructions said it would be a couple days before I got any volume out of it.

 

[sign guy]

how far up the tube is the fome and how many nobs are there to play with?
btw welcome to swf.com

 

[who dey]

too much air can cause excess noise

 

[1knight164]

I just replaced my Prizm skimmer with an AquaC Remora with Maxijet 1200 because the prizm made so much noise and required ALOT of adjusting. The Remora shouldn't be noisy. It doesn't use air through venturi like the others so it's less noisy. Is the faucet sound you're referring to sound like the trickling like someone left the faucet on? If so, could it be that your water level in your tank is too low and you're getting a waterfall from the skimmer to the tank? Just a thought. The lip where the water comes out touches the water in the tank. I do, however, have the "Surface Organics Skimmer and Bubble Eliminator" accessory though.
Also, since you bought the skimmer used, there is no break-in period. The instructions said the break-in period was to rid the skimmer from oils left from the manufacturing process. That's why you're already getting foam.

 

[chilwil84]

check to see if it isnt rattling something real close mine used to make snail shells rattle when they were real close

 

[dragonzim]

Do a google search on "remora paper towel mod" Its a quick and easy way to cut the noise on a remora. Trust me, it works...

 

[f14peter]

Is the noise from the pump? If so, their skimmer intake box helps a bit as it encases the pump which cuts down noise a tad (and also ensures that the water entering the skimmer is solely from the surface). Also might want to check the pump itself compared to other comparable pumps . . . maybe it's showing its age and vibrating more than it should. My RemoraPro does make a hissing sound, but it's not very loud and I have to be right by the tank to hear it.
Agree with the others . . . check for the pump vibrating against something (like the side of the tank), the water level making the output fall too far, that the collection cup fits nicely (Not snuggly, but shouldn't be loose), and that the O-ring is settled down on the body of the skimmer.
At any rate, I've discovered that I quickly become used to the noises from our tank and really don't notice them any more at all . . . and our tank is prominently placed in the living room. We have the usual hum from the pumps, some water noise as it goes down the overflow drain into the sump, and the slight hissing from the Remora, but frankly I really have to listen for noises from the tank to hear them.