More bubble or more flow?

Right now I have some good bubbles but not much of a vortex (spin)
Im wondering if I should try opening my valve a little more on the input of the pump to get more flow? or should I try for even more bubbles by closing that input more? Is it more important to have the a strong vortex or more important to have more bubbles?

 

What are you talking about?

 

My protein skimmer.

 

I am not that familiar with the vortex style, however, if by bubbles you mean the micro bubbles, you want a real full column of micro bubbles, the more the better. The more micros the better the foam output.

 

Here's what Im asking.
I have a choice. Increase the water flow for more of a "spin" going into the water column which will decrease the micro bubbles.
Or
Increase the micro bubbles, which will slow down the water flow "spin"

 

i would decrease the flow for more bubbles.

 

Midnight madman

its important to collect an amount of liquid in the cup at the top of your skimmer
if the foam does not get to the top of the riser and collaps into the cup
you need more air - it means the bubbles where to wet and collapsed before getting to the top of the riser

now if you have a very light , tea coloured liquid in the cup - thats OK
but if you want a darker coloured liquid in the cup again more air is required in order the foam is drier and the ratio of protiens to water is increased , hence dark liquid

basically you often need to adjust the skimmer in terms of air/water ratio to get the type of skimmate your looking for

lifting the skimmer higher in the water can also create a drier foam as it has further to travel so some of the moisture falls off and very dry foam reaches the top
by the same token lowering the skimmer gives less distance for the foam to travel and its thus wetter and not as dark when it gets to the cup

if your not collecting any or much liquid - increase air and lower the body (sump mounted means you increase water level in sump to achieve same ends)

if your collecting almost clear liquid, raise the height of the skimmer by placing a stand or table under it if its in the sump or by raising the collection cup if its an HOB with an internal box (SWC, Octopus, Aquac , Deltec etc)

Steve

 

I've been moving it around. But I am getting a very thick skimmate.
Its working, but I was just wondering if if I adjust it, what would be more important as far as what the pump is sending into the skimmer.

 

sounds to me like its working exactly how I would want it to work

very dark skimmate is my preference (dry skimming)


Steve

 

Ok. The thing about it is the pump is not the original pump that came on the skimmer. Advanced Aquaria Excalibur. I hooked up a Hagen 802 to it. So I am wondering if it is not the right combo of air/water pressure