[patandreba]

I picked up a Prism Pro Deluxe today, and couldn't find troubleshooting anywhere. If I turn the water control all the way open, it is a little much for my 55g tank, so I am hoping that I can run it at say 3/4 the full rate. Does this type of skimmer need time to season before I get much skimmate from it, or should it skim right away? The adjustment seems a little odd, with the knob seeming to only have maybee 1/4th of an inch of movement without forcing it to be seated crooked, and making too many small bubbles and filling my tank. I assumed that since it was rated for aquariums of to 300 gallons, it would be more than enough for my little 55, and I would be able to use it when I set up a larger (hopefully 220g) aquarium as soon as I get my kitchen pass. If anyone has much experience with this skimmer, please help me out, as I would hate to return it just out of ignorance. Thanks in advance,

Pat

[Poseidon]

Hymie069 has one, but I think overall he is dissappointed in the performance. I would try and send him a PM.

Personally I think you are better off to return it, and get either a REmora Pro or a CPR bakPak

[Reefland]

I can't help with the tuning of the skimmer but can give a couple of thoughts. First, these small HOT skimmers are notorious for releasing mcro-bubbles into the tank unless they have some sort of bubble catching mechanism. Secondly, this skimmer will not be an efffective skimmer for a 300g tank, IMO it is barely good enough for a 55g tank. Lastly, yes, it would take some time for the skimmer to breakin before you noticed optimum skimmate production.

[patandreba]

Thanks I guess. No help adjusting the skimmer I have, just telling me to get a different type. You guys should have been salesmen.

[Reefland]

The difference is that we aren't trying to sell anything. That is the problem with advise from most stores, they have equipment that they carry and try to push regardless of the quality or performance; we're not carrying anything but trying to make sure you get good quality equipment.

With that said, I'm sure that the Prism will perform and skim but it will be nothing like a powerful in-sump skimmer or even a HOT skimmer that is proven like the AquaC Remora.

[Poseidon]

Wish I could be of more help, but I have no experience with that model, other then seeing my friend fuss and fuss over it. I HAVE seen the CPR and the Remora, and both those are much more powerful, and have adjustments to make skimmate the way you want it, either wet or dry. Skimmers and Lighting are 2 areas that you should invest in only once, try and buy the right one the first time, it is cheaper that way!

[forestal]

got this advice somewhere long ago, but it turns these prism skimmers into much better, increasing the flow wide open and still getting dry skimmate...glue a berlin airlift tube to the top to increase height of the riser...works great...here is a pic...dropped mine a while ago, so i tossed it but got lots of great use out of it...

[CSeaSee]

Where can I find a tube like that? I'd like to modify my protein skimmer like that- I've got a prizm that has worked well for me, but then again I have a relatively light bioload... Anyways, anything I can tinker with to improve the skimmer is always good. Would Home Depot have something, maybe?

[forestal]

i got an old berlin skimmer off ebay for 30$, or you could measure the diameter and if they make pvc that size or acrylic tubing, cool....i no longer have this, just in my diy files

[midnighttoker]

Turn it 1/4 of full rate and it works well. no joke. before spending serious $ for PM.