Protein skimmer / powerhead question

[jester805]

Hey guys...I have a 29g FOWLR tank that's running beautifully right now. I have the SeaClone 100 protein skimmer (along with a BioWheel 280, and TopFin 30). That SeaClone came with a maxijet powerhead 1200 built in to it. My question is, do I need another powerhead to hang on the side of my tank?? Or would I be ok just using this one?? I can adjust the air flow it uses...which will increase or decrease the amount of bubbles it produces in my tank. I've read some things that say the knob is for adjusting the cyclone action, and that it shouldn't be dumping bubbles into my tank. I don't know. I'm just confused on that.
My levels are all good (except nitrates are pretty high). I have 2 damsels, cleaner shrimp, hermit crab, sand sifting sea star, 5 turbo snails, and a yellow tang. BEFORE EVERYONE GOES NUTS.....I know the tang needs to be in a larger tank. :yes:
Anyway...thanks for the help.

 

[clarkiiclo]

Well you can always add another powerhead on the opposite side of the tank.
I have a 600 in my 12G.
I would move the tang or get rid of him because he will die very quickly from stress.

 

[clarkiiclo]

Oh I forgot to ask how old is the tank?
That may be why your skimmer is dumping bubbles. New tanks take a few weeks to build up a noticeable amount of junk to be skimmed.
I think mine took a month on my 75 before I had any skimmate.
Also watch that thing like a hawk right now. They have a bad habit of sucking water into the collection cup and then onto the floor.:yes:

 

[jester805]

Thanks for the info. My tank's had some fish in it since about Christmas. I did a 20% water change last weekend. My nitrates seem REALLY high (between 20 & 40) for some reason. All of my other levels are perfect.
Is it ok to have this skimmer blowing those tiny bubbles into the tank?? Or should I adjust it so it's not doing that? I just don't want it to blow the "junk" back in.

 

[oracledba72]

On my old 65g, I had two Penguin 550 Powerhead's on either side of the tank. I sometimes adjusted them to blow bubbles, but i didn't have a skimmer on the tank. I never had any problems although you might search for someone more experienced to give you a better answer.

 

[6stokes]

The bubbles in the tank are no problem and help with circulation, but you have to be able to put up with salt creep from them popping on the surface. Your call.
It sounds like your nitrates are high because your tank just finished cycling. If this is the case and everything else is okay, you'll probably notice them start to decline with every water change and stay at lower numbers.

 

[oracledba72]

Good reply about the salt creep. I did forget to mention that the salt gathered a lot more on the ballast, lights, hood, etc... with the air bubbles on with the powerhead.
Jester805, what are your plans for the Yellow Tang. I feel bad for that guy in a little 29g. He must be super stressed with the nitrate level that high as well. Don't tank this as an insult or anything, I am just concerned for the tang and don't like seeing fish go through things they shouldn't have to. Again, no harm intended with this post.