Jan 10, 2014
Joe Schanes
wrote
I have been running an nwb-150 for about 3 yrs and the skimmer has never produced a lot of skimmate. I can get it to produce but I have to run it very wet, and the color of the skim is like a cup of strong green tea. I spoke with the owner where I purchased it numerous times and he thought I should contact you guys. Is it possible my tank is clean enough to not pull anything? I only get about 6 ounces in a 2 week period and once in a while it goes nuts and just overflows.
Im running it in 61/2" water and have performed numerous vinegar cleanings, Im at a loss as to what I should do. Just to throw it in, my nitrates are at 0 and phosphates are undetectable on a test kit as well. Im at a point of possibly purchasing a new skimmer.
Im running it in 61/2" water and have performed numerous vinegar cleanings, Im at a loss as to what I should do. Just to throw it in, my nitrates are at 0 and phosphates are undetectable on a test kit as well. Im at a point of possibly purchasing a new skimmer.
Reply
11 Answers
Jan 10, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
How big is your system?
Jan 10, 2014
Joe Schanes
wrote
120gal total
Jan 10, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
When you cleaned the skimmer, did you also take the pump apart and soaked it in vinegar solution for 12-24 hrs?
Jan 10, 2014
Joe Schanes
wrote
yes I did, this thing has acted the same way since day one. I dismissed it as it being from a clean tank. People kept saying it should have been pulling more but I was thinking otherwise.
Jan 10, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
What is your salinity?
Jan 10, 2014
Joe Schanes
wrote
1.025
Jan 10, 2014
Joe Schanes
wrote
The other reason why I thought it was from running too clean of a tank was due to the fact softies don't do well in my tank and I only get film on my glass every 5 days or so.
Jan 10, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
Is the skimmer's outflow valve opened all the way?
Jan 10, 2014
Joe Schanes
wrote
no, I have it tuned so the bubble column sits about 1"up the collection cup.
Jan 12, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
The bubbles might be too high. The top of the bubble column should be just below the base of the collection cup. The skimmer is not supposed to be collecting foam 24/7. It sits there and whenever there is an increase in organics, then it will collect. If nothing is going on, then the skimmer does not have to be collecting all the time. Sometimes people run the skimmers too high which in turns makes the skimmer collect really wet foam instead of the dry and golden foam which is what it should be collecting.
Regards,
Carlos Chacon
CoralVue
Regards,
Carlos Chacon
CoralVue
Jan 12, 2014
Joe Schanes
wrote
Thanks for the reply Carlos!