Skimmer Woes

Well i had to get rid of my fuge because my new T5's tank bracket didnt allow for it to also hang on the tank. needless to say as soon as i removed it, my nitrates and phosphates all shot up!

So i have decided to add a skimmer to my system! I have never used one before so my knowledge on them is pretty skittish!

For some reason its producing a brown water, now i assume this is the skimmate but as its so watery im having to empty the cup twice a day!
Im trying to get it thicker, more like a sludge (i beleive this is how its meant to be) but i cant seem to manage it.
I currently have it set so the air inlet is letting maximum air in, and the water level is halfway up the cone.
Should i reduce the air, or maybe change the water level??

Any input is appreciated

 

Depends on skimmer but try reducing water level so that the water inside the skimmer is right where the cone begins.

What skimmer by the way?

 

I'll give that a go and reduce the water level down!

Its this one TMC: Aquarium Products - V2Skim 120 Nano Skimmer

Nice and small and has everything built in.

 

Never heard of it but most likely since I dont have a nano or maybe because its more common in the U.K. I suggested that since mine does the same thing if the water level is too high.

 

Yeh i thinkl the tropical marine centre is a uk thing, its where most of the stores get their live stock from.
But i will def give that a try! cheers sir!

 

I don't think you want to reduce the air, as that's what determines a skimmer's ability to skim. If you set the bubbles to half-way up the cone, you'll be "wet skimming," which is ok if that's what you choose to do, but dry skimming will produce less, more darkly colored skimmate.

I think IBMGeek hit it right on the head. Just lower the air bubble level to about the beginning of the cone (you'll learn shortly what works best), and it'll skim darker skimmate. Also take into consideration that most skimmers require a week or two before their operation becomes predictable. At this time it might skim a whole cup on Wednesday, only to take Thursday, Friday and Saturday to fill the cup again. After it breaks in and you learn what levels work for you, it should become "set your watch by it" predictable in its operation.

Good luck!

 

Sparky what are you doing up is 5 its the am ;D