Protein Skimmer help - Aquarium Advice

mandown123 · 05-16-2008, 08:32 PM

Hi guys. I just got my skimmer in the mail today (octopus NW-100) and I am trying to set it up. I am having a rough go, as the ENGRISH directions they sent are basically just scratchy drawings on a page with no words. CLUELESS!!!!!
Anyone have this skimmer or a similar one or know their way around how to set this bad boy up? Or a link toa page that does?
Thanks

mandown123 · 05-16-2008, 08:48 PM

okay.. i hooked it up i think correctly fo the most part, who knows... but nothing is making it into the cup. there is ust some really bubbly water in the chamber.

1. how do i know if it is working
2. what adjustments should i make
3. wow my sump is mad packed out lol

mandown123 · 05-16-2008, 08:55 PM

i think its running to "wet" but i dont really know what this means. it just seems like it should be more airy and less watery. LOL i am clueless i love it.

**melosu58** · 05-16-2008, 09:10 PM

Usually there is a break in period of a week or two for it to start skimming correctly. Give it a little time. You should be getting some dark green skimate.

mandown123 · 05-16-2008, 09:21 PM

the water in the chamber is just bubbly water, there isnt really any bubbles happening that are just foam. also the level doesnt reach the top of the cup. is this normal? how high should the water go up in the chamber... and will the foam start to form over time?

cccapt · 05-16-2008, 10:32 PM

I have the NW 200...same thing as yours but a little bigger.

1- Do you have it in a section of your sump where the water level stays the same? It should be in 6"-10" of water.
2- To skim wet or dry, you raise or lower the output tube. The water line inside ther skimmer can be anywhere from where the neck just starts to taper up, up to the bottom of the actual neck.
3- It will take a good 2 weeks to break in and start to produce nice skimmate.

Here's some pics of my sump and skimmer.

mandown123 · 05-17-2008, 02:32 AM

yes water level is OK i think. Do you mean the water level should be up to the collection cup? or its fine at almost any level you desire?

also, why does it have to break in? what technically is going on there?

**melosu58** · 05-17-2008, 06:52 AM

Read this

Skimming Basics 101: Understanding Your Skimmer by Frank Marini, Ph.D. - Reefkeeping.com

SkimrArt

cccapt · 05-17-2008, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mandown123

yes water level is OK i think. Do you mean the water level should be up to the collection cup? or its fine at almost any level you desire?

also, why does it have to break in? what technically is going on there?

If you look at the pic of mine, I marked where the water line is...about 1/2 way up the taper to the neck. You can go higher....to where the taper ends, but don't go any higher than that.

The break-in period is just the time it takes for the production oils to be removed from inside the skimmer and for the skimmer get a slime coat in it.

mandown123 · 05-17-2008, 04:54 PM

ah i see in the pic, i missed that one be4. I raised the leve. Also thanks for the article that is very extensive. I'm sure it will start better bubling soon. I'll update later.
-thanks

05-16-2008, 08:32 PM	#1 (permalink)
mandown123 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 297	Protein Skimmer help Hi guys. I just got my skimmer in the mail today (octopus NW-100) and I am trying to set it up. I am having a rough go, as the ENGRISH directions they sent are basically just scratchy drawings on a page with no words. CLUELESS!!!!! Anyone have this skimmer or a similar one or know their way around how to set this bad boy up? Or a link toa page that does? Thanks

05-16-2008, 09:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
melosu58 SW 10 yrs and over Community Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Richmond Va Posts: 11,273 Images: 73	Usually there is a break in period of a week or two for it to start skimming correctly. Give it a little time. You should be getting some dark green skimate. __________________ View My Tanks Click here to Visit FantasyReef

05-16-2008, 10:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
cccapt SW 10 & Over Community Mentor Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Northeast PA Posts: 1,242 Images: 2	I have the NW 200...same thing as yours but a little bigger. 1- Do you have it in a section of your sump where the water level stays the same? It should be in 6"-10" of water. 2- To skim wet or dry, you raise or lower the output tube. The water line inside ther skimmer can be anywhere from where the neck just starts to taper up, up to the bottom of the actual neck. 3- It will take a good 2 weeks to break in and start to produce nice skimmate. Here's some pics of my sump and skimmer. __________________ 125g reef See My Tank Info Check out The build project

05-17-2008, 06:52 AM	#8 (permalink)
melosu58 SW 10 yrs and over Community Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Richmond Va Posts: 11,273 Images: 73	Read this Skimming Basics 101: Understanding Your Skimmer by Frank Marini, Ph.D. - Reefkeeping.com SkimrArt __________________ View My Tanks Click here to Visit FantasyReef

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05-16-2008, 08:48 PM	#2 (permalink)
mandown123 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 297	okay.. i hooked it up i think correctly fo the most part, who knows... but nothing is making it into the cup. there is ust some really bubbly water in the chamber. 1. how do i know if it is working 2. what adjustments should i make 3. wow my sump is mad packed out lol

05-16-2008, 08:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
mandown123 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 297	i think its running to "wet" but i dont really know what this means. it just seems like it should be more airy and less watery. LOL i am clueless i love it.

05-16-2008, 09:21 PM	#5 (permalink)
mandown123 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 297	the water in the chamber is just bubbly water, there isnt really any bubbles happening that are just foam. also the level doesnt reach the top of the cup. is this normal? how high should the water go up in the chamber... and will the foam start to form over time?

05-17-2008, 02:32 AM	#7 (permalink)
mandown123 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 297	yes water level is OK i think. Do you mean the water level should be up to the collection cup? or its fine at almost any level you desire? also, why does it have to break in? what technically is going on there?

05-17-2008, 04:54 PM	#10 (permalink)
mandown123 Aquarium Advice Freak Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Staten Island, NY Posts: 297	ah i see in the pic, i missed that one be4. I raised the leve. Also thanks for the article that is very extensive. I'm sure it will start better bubling soon. I'll update later. -thanks