protein skimmer tuning

[dcox88]

I have been trying for a few days to get the elusive "dry foam" and am going nuts! I purchased an established tank that has been set up for 4 years. It has been in my home for a week and I have het to get the skimmer to work correctly. I have replaced the airstone, cleaned the collection cup and chamber well, and rebuilt the airpump (Tetra Luft Pump). I can't adjust the airflow precisely enough to get it right - it is either too wet and I get clear water in the cup, or it doesn't crest at all.
Are there any other tips that someone can give me that I might be overlooking?

 

[tang_man_montreal]

I'm having EXACTLY the same problem as you... I too picked up an established tank, and can't get the darned skimmer to skim properly. Getting the same results as you, and did the same things as you too.
Mine's been in my place for almost 3 weeks now.
Let me know if you get anywhere..

 

[dcox88]

When the pump is up enough to make it crest, all I get is clear water. It will fill the cup completely in about 3 hours. This just won't do.....I have to work sometime to pay for this wonderful hobby!
Will adjusting the position of the airstone in the column have any effect? It is at the bottom of the chamber now, should I move it up higher?

 

[pgreco]

You could try usiung a smaller airstone than the one you have already. That may help

 

[fuscus]

I started my tank up about a month and a half ago and had the same problem.
First, At the begining of a cycle I found that there isn't much protein in the tank to skim properly so don't worry too much.
Second, I found that You don't want your skimmer set high enough that you can actually see the foam overflow very often.
You want to set you protein skimmer lower than you think. low enough that it takes a couple of days to fill the cub up, otherwise you'll remove to much water from your tank, and you won't get very much garbage. Garbage to water ratio should be high.
Just remember (set it lower than you think you should)
almost where you thin to yourself, "is this even going to work at all"?
Youll be surprised in a couple of days.
Hope this helps.
Fuscus

 

[shadow678]

fuscus is correct. You will want your foam to be under the cup funnel, the part of the skimmer tube that closes down very thin and goes up inside the cup. It will take a day or two to get enough buildup, but it will eventually begin pushing it up the funnel and into the cup. What type of skimmer are you using? Some skimmers require a bit of buildup on the inside of the skimmer tube before it gains true effectiveness. Adjust it so that you get foam, but not enough to reach the cup, and leave it like that, and it should be fine.

 

[dcox88]

the skimmer is a diy - the lfs had a guy who did all of their acrylic work. My wet/dry and skimmer were both made by him.