Water level in Skimmer?

mony97

mony97

Member
I have searched on the forums here and also online and have come to no solid conclusion on where the water level in a protein skimmer should be..
I have had my Vertex IN-100 skimmer for almost a week now and I'm not sure if its not broken in yet or if I am not adjusting the water level correctly because it creates foam but does not seem to want to overflow the foam unless the water level is very high and then it wants to run really wet..
So all in all my question is as posed where should the water level be? Or just any tips for the initial settings for a protein skimmer (I know all of the very but maybe some sort of universal way to figure out the best setting)
Thanks all ;)
 
J

jstdv8

Guest
On all the skimmers Ive ever seen the microbubbles should come up to the top of the tube that is directly below the collection cup but not up into the tube inside the collection cup. You should be getting larger bubbles that work their way up and over the top and into the cup from there.
 
gill again68

gill again68

Active Member
Not sure about your skimmer, but most do have to break in. Also your depth of water will affect your skimmer function. Do you know what depth it should run in? Do you have your manual? Most run in 6 to 10 inches. I have found that my skimmer, the Super 220 Coralife is a PITA to adjust. As mentioned dont try to get the foam to the top of the inner tube of the collection cup. It needs to be at the base and the larger bubbles perk up to the top. I find that when its adjusted pretty good I get a thick nasty green sludge on the cone of the inner tube and some in the cup. Make small adjustments and see how it goes.
 
mony97

mony97

Member
There was no manual per say just the instructions, the only thing it did say was to run the skimmer in 6 to 8 inches of water and have read reviews that stated that 7" seemed to work best so that is where it is at. Thats all it said..
I do know that there will be a break in period but thought it only lasted a few days to a week, and I am at week one now. I did talk to a guy at my LFS that said a week is the minimum time for break in, is this correct? if so than I guess I will just wait it out.
thanks for the help and advice ;)
 
handbanana

handbanana

Member
wish I could help

I hate my skimmer. Ive had it a few months and have yet to remove anything other than water. I mess with it constantly. theres crap on the inside of the collection cup funnel but it never gets in the cup. just dirty water. I do have a small bio-load tho. And I noticed the water got dirtyer when I got a few coral frags. Nothing like I see other peeps skimmers pull.
Phooey
 
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