*Review*Hydor Slim Skim Nano Protene Skimmer.

You have to raise the skimmer up so the water level comes to the middle of the top vents. Then raise your skim cup so that it is slightly above the water level. This will give you more of a foamy skim then a wet skim

Water level has everything to do with the way this skimmer behaves. In smaller tanks (or any tank without an ATO) this can be very inconsistent. As water level will drop dramatically due to evaporation. So what must be done is to maintain a more consistent water level. I've found topping off smaller amounts throughout the day helps keep the level in check. I also use my skimmer as a guide for water level and topping off. Otherwise I keep my water level even with the top vent on the skimmer.

On another note..I'm totally disappointed in the *as advertised* surface skimming capability of mine. It skims nothing at all from the surface! Which is horrible because having no overflow venting I have major surface protein and it looks like crap. Not sure what to do about it. Definitely don't want to add another item into the tank! Don't want to put the pre-skimmer box back over my intake pump. Sooooo frustrating!!!!

 

I didn't think mine was at first either but after a week or so I noticed a big improvement!

 

I have dealt with both of the major concerns you're currently having. When I had the skimmer in my display, the surface of the water would build up with a thin sheet of protein (as with all SW tanks). The Hydor Nano Skim would get almost all of it, as long as evaporation was properly accommodated for. I've found that if you have to top-off manually, smaller amounts, more often is always better. It makes for more consistent skimming as well as a better, darker skimmate.

What the skimmer was not capable of taking in, was left on the surface of the water. The addition of a small pump, such as a Taam Ro+ 200 (138gph) in my case, to the top of your water column seems to greatly increase the effectiveness of the skimmer. I think it is this kind of powerhead/pump which is best for surface agitation, as it creates a more direct flow, allowing it to move the entire surface of the water (lengthwise), opposed to a Koralia or other traditional powerhead, which has a wider output.

Taam (Rio+) Powerhead/Pump

 

The agitation/surface tension of the water created by the pump can more easily be seen here. That is across my 29g display (30" long).

 

I'm using an Mp10 es. Can't get much better flow then that I've got it 2" under the surface.

 

Hmm...that seems odd that you would be having problems then. :-/

 

Update: I am still learning this skimmer Now that I know what the venturi actually does and how it works I've begun adding less air in order for a thicker nog...this is before I lessened the air intake: Wet but still pretty

 

I like wet skimming. I just leave my air valve open all the way.

I get about twice that much each week. ^