How high are the bubbles supposed to come up and out of the cup?

I'm new to the whole protein skimmer idea and I was wondering are the bubbles supposed to be overflowing into the cup or just reaching the top of the circle in the cup?

Can someone explain this to me please? Thanks.

 

It depends on the skimmer, but the rule of thumb I go by is the micro bubbles should be right at the point in the skimmer where it starts narrowing down. After that adjust it by the skimmate it produces. I try to get mine to look like coffee.

 

Can you show me a pic of yours?

 

Ok Claic, I will give it a try.

Also known as "foam fractionating", protein skimming is very important to the health and longevity of your reef. To simplify, the bubbles produced by the power head are incredibly tiny, but serve a very good purpose. If you've ever made soap bubbles you will notice their is a layer of colors on the outside. Well the skimmer foam is sort of the same principal, the little bubbles made by the powerhead actually hold onto the DOC's, grease, and other particles in your water column. When they rise up out of the chamber, they will pop sending all of that gunk into your collection cup.

Hope this helps

 

Thanks and yes very helpful!

Lets say this is my cup.



Can someone copy and draw a line as the where the bubbles should be popping? Like where is the highest the bubbles should reach?

 

Honestly, the foam just sort of foams up in there and does it's thing. Maybe youtube your skimmer and then you will actually see them in action, might be worth a shot.

 

I labeled on the photo the reaction area of the cup. This is the area where the bubbles will begin to push up the nutrients on the tension of the bubbles. Setting the water level high will mean the micro bubbles are up higher in here and thus there will be less reaction time before the bubbles overflow into the cup. Setting it lower will mean more reaction time. More time means dryer skimmate. Start it in the lower third of this reaction space and give it some time to foam up. Remember the skimmer has to pull enough nutrients to make the dry foam bubbles before you will see them. Give it about 24 hours to truly see how it will run and even longer if it's a new skimmer you are breaking in. If the skimmate comes out looking clearer than you would like adjust the water level down some. If it doesn't produce much or the skimmate is jet black try adjusting the water level up some. There is no easy setting anyone can tell you for this. It's all trial and error when you're setting up a skimmer.

 

Alright, a little confused but we are getting there lol

I have a white foam like ball on the top of the reaction area. It is completely white no nasty look to it at all.

Does this mean I should raise the cup up some? Thats what I can adjust is the cup.

 

Sounds like you are heading the right direction. It won't always look nasty. Let it run the way you have it until it produces some skimmate. The only true way to critique how your skimmer is running is by the skimmate.

In the case of your skimmer moving the cup down would be the same as moving the water level up and vise versa.

 

Thank you very much, you have really given me everything I needed and explained everything very well.