Is my protein skimmer working?

[prisoner1572]

I made my own protein skimmer a while ago for my 125g FOWLR. The tank has 5 fish in it: blue tang, clown fish, six line wrasse, scooter blenny and green chromis.

I have an airline at the intake of the pump which creates fine air bubbles. The bubbles make it all the way through the chamber like they are supposed to but I never get much protein foam. I've never had the foam head make it into the collection cup in the few years that its been running. Is this due to a design flaw in the skimmer or because my bio load is small?

[neilanh]

If it's been a few years I would have to think its a possible design flaw. I wouldnt' expect you to have had a lot of skimmate, but definately some.

Are you able to control to water level in the main body?

[prisoner1572]

I have a ball valve between the pump and the skimmer which controls the flow speed. Changing this does change the height of the water to some extent.

[neilanh]

Have you tried it at higher settings to see if it produces anything?

[prisoner1572]

Originally Posted by neilanh

Have you tried it at higher settings to see if it produces anything?

I will try and play with it this weekend. What is the goal in having the water at a higher level: faster flow, closer to collection cup, shape of chamber?