protein skimmer

[peregrinus]

ok everyone i have a counter current skimmer i have had for years and never used its like 3 feet high. my question is where should the water level be? the input and output have valves on them to adjust the water level in the chamber.

[dakar]

Any idea of how much water flow is reccommended for that critter. I think that would be the only limiting factor as to how deep or shallow you'd want to run it.

[Reptoreef]

In or out of sump... can be easiely adjusted by a ball valve on the out tube(with oversized plumbing if possible. Example: 1/2" in 1" out with ball valve). IMO, the pump should be rated to move, at least 1x's the total water volume per hour, up to 5 or more. Mine is a diy and moves approx 750 gph on a 80 + true water volume system(nearly 10x's the true water volume). I have both a venturi air intake and dual air intake on an adjustable air pump with air stones.

[peregrinus]

not sure what its rated for but i had a power head laying around took the setup to the tub and tested is the power head seems more then adequate to handle it. it a pretty big power head. yeah the output ball valve allows me to adjust the water level.

[Reptoreef]

Then try it... just make sure you're not overproducing... the darker the waste, the better.

[peregrinus]

oh and its external. i only paid 30 bucks for it. i have a tunze one to but it need a new impeller also paid 30 bucks for.

[Reptoreef]

There ya go... a bargain shop bragger. BTW, I'ld do the same.

[peregrinus]

yeah the cheaper the better :D. i thought let me se what happens if i put a skimmer on my system. could not hurt right?

[Reptoreef]

Should be ok... if you start to see some negative reactions, cut the skim to 1 week a month or so.