Protein skimmer help

[tgawa]

Hey I just purchased this after noon a coral life super skimmer rated for a 65
and I was curious if I could have some help what do I do I read the instruction and hooked it up but when I plug it seems to fill up with water really fast in the collection cup and I've adjusted everything i could any suggestions?:unsure::up:

 

[weaglereefer]

Open the control valve all the way. Is it HOB or "in sump"? If in sump, how deep is the water?

 

[tgawa]

right now its going to be a hob but in few a sump hopefully when I get one

 

[weaglereefer]

Ok, there should be a valve above the pump to limit the amount of water going into the skimmer. Is the skimmer new?

 

[tgawa]

yes it is brand new out of the box

 

[weaglereefer]

Did you find the valve? If it's all the way open, it will cause what you described until the skimmer breaks in and gets a "slime" coating on the inside. I believe they recommend leaving the valve at 50% for a few weeks.

 

[tgawa]

well i don't know if it is the valve but it is a

 

[weaglereefer]

On P2 here, there is an "adjustment valve". Maybe new models did away with it?

 

[tgawa]

if your calling this a valve there is a thing that tightens up and that can be taken off where the intake is and when you unscrew it all the way it has a white plastic rod on it

 

[weaglereefer]

Nah, it would be on the ouput side of the pump, between the top of the pump and the inlet to the skimmer body. If you're not seeing a valve, it may not be there.

Are you using the bubble box?

If so, is the outlet pipe an inch or so above the bottom sponge, not right up against it?

 

[tgawa]

yeah i left a inch to 2 inches between the bubble box and even ran it with out the bubble box

 

[weaglereefer]

How deep is the pump below the water level?

 

[tgawa]

about three inches

 

[weaglereefer]

If you pinch off the air line what happens? Just seems like water can't get out the exit tube fast enough...not sure why they did away with the inlet valve.

 

[tgawa]

no bubbles and water every where

 

[weaglereefer]

Haha, my bad. If you turn the pump off and remove the output tube, you're positive it's open all the way?

Also, would it be possible to take it off the tank and run it in a bucket of vinegar/water for a few hours to remove any manufacturing oils.

 

[tgawa]

ok i just took the exit tube off and raised the pump to were it is barely in the water about 1 inch with in the water noisy as everything but way better

 

[weaglereefer]

There should not be a vortex created at the inlet, as long as it's not doing that, it's fine. I would guess mine is an inch or so below the water level. I'll see if I have any tubing that fits my CSS 65 and I can bring you the adjustment valve to the meeting if you're gonna be there. That would let you lower the pump again.

 

[weaglereefer]

You can put the exit tube back on, just as long as the red valve is completely open. Does the exit tube exit above or below the water line? It's possible if it's too far below the water level that it's creating back pressure on the system.

 

[tgawa]

yeah thanks for all your advise I won't be able to make it to the meeting this time thanks though but within next week i saw a sump that was a 29 gallon and I think i may go to that and then that way everything will be hidden plus I let it be a in sump protein skimmer