I have a skimmer question- Odyssea PS 75

[dsnyder@peoriaud.k12.az.u]

I have it all set up and it seems to be working. The bubble level is right near where the tube narrows- about an inch below where it would overflow into the collection cup.

First Question: Do I just leave the skimmer running all the time?

Second Question: Do I adjust it every so often to let the bubbles overflow? Or what?

Final Question: What does the protein skimmer actually remove? Ammonia, Nitrates, Nitrates?

Thanks in Advance.

Dave

[dakar]

Think you may find that your water level is a bit too high... time will tell, monitor the skimmer periodically, once it's 'broken in' you'll find the sweet spot where only dark crud gathers in the collection cup.

The skimmer works on a very basic principle, disolved organic compounds (DOC's) actually stick to the microbubbles in the skimmer, as the bubbles rise to the top of the reaction chamber some pop and they become more dense forming a foam still carrying the organics upward and with time into the collection cup.

The easiest way to look at it is it removes excess nutrients that would otherwise break down into Ammo, nitrites, and nitrates, or end up being consumed by growing algae cyanobacteria and other undesirables in your tank.

[dsnyder@peoriaud.k12.az.u]

When you say water level, do you mean the top of the bubbles or do you mean the top of the water with the bubbles above it overflowing into the cup?

Also I have a UV Sterilizer. Should I run that too? It is a saltwater tank, one crab, one damsel, one clown. No live rock or reef or anything. I did buy the "live sand" that is supposed to speed the 1st cycle. Tank has been set up for about two months. One fatality... a big angelfish.

My ammonia, nitrite have stayed way safe. The nitrates run between 10 and 20ppm. -That's according to my test kit. I tested the regular tap water and it showed up as 20ppm so I'm not sure the test is accurate. I was hoping the skimmer would be able to lower the nitrates.

Thoughts?

Dave