downhill_biker Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 I just set up a new/used skimmer and am not seeing much skimmate. The skimmer is a Top Fathom 36" tall x 6.5" diameter. It was originally designed as a venturi skimmer, to be run by a large pump such as a mag 9. I modded the skimmer and removed the 2 venturi's and added a Sedra 9000 needle wheel pump. It is producing a massive amount of bubbles, that are very fine. The water level is where it is supposed to be, but I am not getting much skimmate. I heard that they have a break-in period, but it doesn't make sense to me. Why would this make a difference? The skimmer is on a 72 gallon tank, so is way oversized, could this be the problem? Will it get better? Here is a pic of the skimmer, it is the one under the arrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted October 29, 2008 Author Share Posted October 29, 2008 Pump was brand new, and skimmer was used, but washed well. Put together 4 days ago. Skimmed like crazy when I cleaned my tank, but doens't seem to do much during the rest of the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 Could be that there is nothing for it to pulllout. Watch it the next time you feed the tank. Mine 'works' better when I feed. Just a thought. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted October 29, 2008 Share Posted October 29, 2008 My skimmer took about 10 days to break in FWIW. After i clean it with vinegar it takes about 2 or 3 days to start skimming again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted October 30, 2008 Author Share Posted October 30, 2008 well thanks guys. it is probably a combination of both. it is skimming some, just not a lot. about 1/4" in the cup each day of dark stuff, but not as much as my small skimmer did. when i feed it fills up the cup in about half an hour. so it is working, but not like i expected. i will give it time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted October 30, 2008 Author Share Posted October 30, 2008 here is a pic of what it does after feeding. doesnt quit till about hour and a half later. pulls about half a gallon of this stuff, if not more. still waiting for it to do more the rest of the time though. just weird to me that it works like crazy when i feed and does almost nothing the rest of the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
downhill_biker Posted October 30, 2008 Author Share Posted October 30, 2008 this is what it does when i am not feeding. this is 12 hours worth. i think the skimmer is breaking in and working a little better each day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePremiumAquarium Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 Looks like it is working wonders. That is some nasty poo poo. Should do even better as time goes on. Garrett Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coralreefaquarist Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 thats a grip for 12 hrs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted October 31, 2008 Share Posted October 31, 2008 Yummy!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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