Is this working

[jgb23]

My original goal of taking a couple months to get my tank setup has gone to the wayside and I am really close to starting the cycle process. To ensure the sump/refgium, tank and plumbing are not leaking, I decided to setup the system in my garage and let it run a couple days. At this point, everything seems ok

However, Upon the recommendation of a local LFS, I bought a Pro Clear Aquatics 75 skimmer. It came with a Rio 600 pump with a venturi. This is the first skimmer I have ever purchased and every skimmer I have seen, the bubbles are extremely small and aggitated. the bubbles in mine, look like this:



My initial thought is that a.) the pump is not strong enough b.) the venturi is not working correctly c.) all of the above.

Any thoughts?

Thanks,

Joe

[Ninong]

What size is your aquarium?

That skimmer is not working properly. A Rio 600 is an extremely small pump for a skimmer.

[jgb23]

75 gallon. This is what came with the skimmer. I should be able to take it back since the only use it has had was in fresh water for my test. I would have thought the LFS guy would have known better though.

[Ninong]

Interesting comments by several others who bought one of these. Read the whole thread.

[jgb23]

Well, I found out one thing.... you need to test it in SALTWATER, not FRESH. I took it back to the LFS and he tested it just like I did (in FRESHWATER)P and got the same results. He then put it SALTWATER and it creates the micro-bubbles and aggitation now. I will monitor its functionality once the tank gets going.

[prow]

i was going to say that. it looks like its in FW. yead skimmers dont skim in FW.

[charlie]

Well, I found out one thing.... you need to test it in SALTWATER, not FRESH. I took it back to the LFS and he tested it just like I did (in FRESHWATER)P and got the same results. He then put it SALTWATER and it creates the micro-bubbles and aggitation now. I will monitor its functionality once the tank gets going.

It is probably gonna take about a week before you start seeing any appreciable skimmate anyways, things need to get "slimed up ", for it to begin working real well. Good luck!!

[The R/C Man]

By just looking at the picture I can tell you that there should be many more micro sized bubbles than that. Even after the break in period you probably won't notice very good skimmate production. You should definitely consider purchasing a "nice" skimmer.

[jgb23]

Just an update, I now have live rock in the tank and its going through a pseudo cycle. The skimmer appears to be working as designed.