Why Isn't My Protein Skimmer Working?

blutang

blutang

Member
I don't understand, I have a 46 gallon bowfront with the fish listed below. Its been up for way over a year. I have a Seaclone 100 protein skimmer, and its not really skimming anything anymore......I have tried all the different settings with the venturi tube, and still cannot get much to skim....could it be possible that my water parameters are that good (I don't really think this is possible). I feed the fish almost everyday....sometimes I'll skip a day on purpose every week, I have a long tentacle anemone in the tank. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
 
bigbonedee

bigbonedee

Member
Protein skimmers take about a week or so to get going and stabilized. So let it settle. Additionally too many water changes affect the performance of a skimmer.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator

Originally posted by BluTang
Well then I guess I'll sit patiently and see what happens.
...and keep your HANDS out of the tank ;)
 
rob2

rob2

New Member
Bang Guy,
I'm having a similar problem with my skimmer (except mine has been on for almost a year.) What affect do hands have on performance (or parameters in general)??
I've been sticking my hand in twice a day (since I bought a tang) to clip on seaweed.
 
kpogue

kpogue

Member
How long have you had the Seaclone operational? It took mine a month before it started to work correctly. I also give it a good cleaning with white vinegar ervy other month. I use it in a 30 and really wouldn't recommend fo anything higher.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator

Originally posted by rob2
I'm having a similar problem with my skimmer (except mine has been on for almost a year.) What affect do hands have on performance (or parameters in general)??

What Anthem said. Hands can have oils or soap residue that can prevent DOCs from sticking to the air/water interface (Fractionation). This will stop your skimmer cold for about a day or two.
 
blutang

blutang

Member
My Seaclone has been up and running for about a year now......and not getting much skimmate as of late...I think it is actually because I've had my hands in it.........so can it really effect the perfomance of the skimmer that much?
 
iechy

iechy

Member
Good information to know. I never thought once about putting gloves on. I always just wash my hands and dive in. I guess that's why my fish smell like flowers;)
 
blutang

blutang

Member
Oh yeah, I recently added a new pump to my skimmer a Maxi-Jet 1200, and that is making no difference at all.....should I open the venture valve wide open or keep it closed a bit.....the guy at the LFS said that Seaclones work good when the venturi valve is closed quite a bit.....does anyone have any input on this?
 
kpogue

kpogue

Member
6 mos - I clean the cup ervytime I empty it x2 a week. I clean the sponge every 3-4 weeks and I give it a complete cleaning ebery 2 months.
 
jester

jester

Member
I took the sponge off. I run mine wide open. Works great. It's been running great since January of this year.
 
kpogue

kpogue

Member
Do you have fish and inverts in your tank? I would think when you feed them etc, their would be a lot of crund going into it that shouldnt be.
 
jester

jester

Member
I've got some fish and inverts.
It's never been a problem. I feed krill and some flake, but I also have good circulation in the tank which keeps everthing moving. If someting gets sucked up, it gets skimmed.
 
blutang

blutang

Member
I think I may try the no sponge thing, because all I'm really getting right now is some few and far between bubbles. I'm starting to get concerned.
 
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