How to skim...

[Jamie]

OK...I know this is probably super duper stupid...but I just got a skimmer in my sump for the first time tonight. I know people talk about skimming wet or dry...and based on pictures, I know what each way is supposed to look like...But how does one control whether they skim wet or dry? I'm guessing it is regulated by where you let the water rise to in the body of the skimmer...but I really have no clue. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

[greenmako]

What type of skimmer is it? It is usually controlled by the water level but can vary from skimmer to skimmer on how to do that.

[Jamie]

It's a custom...more or less a BK Mini 200 knock-off...just without the $800 pump.

http://www.acrylicsumps.com/skimmers.html

[greenmako]

skimmer looks pretty good if you want the skimate more wet just keep the water level high in the chamber you will have to play with the level so you don't over flow and opposite if you want it dryer

[Jamie]

I cleaned it with hot water and a towel before I put it in the sump. Right now it will only dump skimmate in the cup if the water level is at the very top of the chamber/right before the neck. When adjusting the water level, how much will make a difference? Are we talking a few inches from the neck?

Also, is it common to get gunk caught up in the neck of the skimmer? When I pulled the lid off, I see small black/brown globs lining the inside of the neck.

[stoneroller]

Not only can you adjust the water level but you could also put a valve on the air input line and adjust the amount of air getting sucked in.

I keep my water level right below the neck of the cup and fine tune it with the air valve. I keep it that high so that gunk doesn't build up in the skimmer body.

Yes, the neck of the cup gets covered in skimmate (gunk = proteins etc.) which needs to be cleaned out every so often (atleast once a week) to keep the skimmer running efficiently. I use a toothbrush under running water and then dry it all off.

Got pics?

[Jamie]

Cool...yeah I was thinking that the valve on the air intake tube might be a good idea. When I first set it up, I put my finger over it to see if it was sucking in air. When I completely covered it, the water in the chamber rapidly rose up into the neck. I just wasn't too sure how that would affect its operational efficiency. I'm not sure if more air is better simply because it'll make more bubbles...I wouldn't want to restrict air flow if this is the case.

[stoneroller]

Set your water level (I'd first try right below your orange o-ring) with the air completely restricted. If it overflows when you "open" the air then you should have room to restrict your airflow.

[Jamie]

OK...but I thought that when I "open" the air that the water level would drop down. Just guessing that because it overflows when I plug the air...so I'm thinking it would do the oposite when I "unplug" it.

[Jamie]

Well...thought I'd show some pics. I'm on day 5 with this skimmer...everything seems to be working well. I haven't messed with the air intake yet. I still plan on doing the mesh mod...but will see how the nog production continues for a few weeks first. I still need to put baffles in my sump to create a tier that maintains a constant water level.