Help with setting up protien skimmer, please!

[diamond]

I just received my filter in the mail.. & suprise, suprise, no instructions!

it is a hang on tank skimmer with an air pump/ powerhead. i just cant seem to figure out where the pump hooks into the skimmer!

i hav attached some pics please let me know if you can suggest where to go from here, if any of this is even right :S.. lol

Thanks!

[Poseidon]

The pump goes where you have the filter, and then the filter material goes on the inlet of the pump.

[diamond]

and the pump can be totally submerged in the water?

[diamond]

sorry, that definetaly makes more sense.. but in orgder for the pump to fit like that and be suctioned to the tank, the writing is upside-down on the pump, with the filter sponge sticking horizontally out. this seems wrong :S

[diamond]

ugh.. sorry agiain i just took a closer look and the only spot that the tube will fit onto the pump is the left outlet in th picture.. and in that situation the suction cups on the pump are facing down with nowhere to attach to the glass! .. this is slightly frusterating.

[Poseidon]

Yup, don't pay attention to the writing on the pump, it is designed as a generic pump for many applications, not just your skimmer. Also, the airline that you have attached to the output of the pump, actually attaches to the the little nipple on the input side of the pump, that way the pump impeller chops the bubbles up into a finer size.

As for the suction cups, they are not needed, the tube that holds the pump to the U-tube will be plenty. Oh, and yes the black sponge filter will be horizontal in your tank.

That particular skimmer is an economy model, and sacrifices are made in appearance and directions, to make the skimmer more affordable. If you want a more elegant piece with better instructions, and better performance, it is going to cost more.... Look at the hang on skimmers by CPR, Aqua C, and Warner Marine, they are all excellent, but cost is up there too.

[diamond]

O.K i think i have gotten it all figured out, and i have my live rock comming in tomorow! the suction cup plate accually rotated so it is all working well.

the rock is already cured but should i do anything else to it before it goes into the tank? i will post pics tomorrow after the rock is in.

[Reefland]

You don't need to do anything special other than get the rock in the tank. Even though it is sold as "cured" do not plan on adding anything to the tank for a while; start testing after a few days to be safe.