New Skimmer, help please

[adshuraj777]

Hey guys,

I just got in a JEBO 2003 (I know, I know, its temporary)

This is my first skimmer, I'm having trouble adjusting it.

How and at what rate should the collection cup be filling up? WIll bubles just continue to rise (so I keep it relatively low)??

Also, microbubbles, I got 'em..

Thanks alot!

[kevlouie]

I have no experience with those, but I share your pain Adam. what size is your tank and is the height of the collection cup adjustable?

[adshuraj777]

Hey Kev,

It's a 90G
http://archive.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=313796&highlight=jebo+skimmer

heres a pic...

thanks bud...

[kevlouie]

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/1335801190012.JPG

It looks like the collection cup is not adjustable (the height anyway) so I would try to figure out some way of regulating the air flow into the chamber

I'd say you should fill it up every 3-4 days after its been going for a while, more often for a while, and maybe longer if the tank is too big for the skimmer, whats the skimmer rated for?

[rcmike]

In that thread it says that it is sensitive to water level. You may try to raise it up or lower it to adjust it.

[adshuraj777]

there's a little hose that come out of the tank wiht a cap on it that you can close or open...

when u say fill it up what do you mean (my naivete is really showing now, huh?)

[adshuraj777]

if any of you guys happen to be by trinity lane/I-65 area in your daily travels, I'd have your beverage of choice ready for a house call! ;P

[kevlouie]

this vile green-brown goo will collect in there. its smells like poo. at first it will just be a foamy goo, but it will coalesce into something much grosser :) don't drink it

[adshuraj777]

i should adjust such so that no water gets in there correct?

[kevlouie]

right, you don't want anything but the foam to get in there, the principle is the contaminants cling to the bubbles and hitch a ride out of the tank, and you dump the cup and start over, the nastier the stuff that comes out, the better

[adshuraj777]

its just straight white foam right now? what does that mean?

[kevlouie]

that means its working, the foam will darken as junk gets in the water. stir up your substrate or feed and see what happens

[adshuraj777]

hehehe, thats sounds like fun...muahahahahah....muahahahah, LOL!

[Countzer0]

also adshuraj give it a 24hour break in period ... i dind't notice my skimmer really working well till like day 2 - 3

[adshuraj777]

any tips on getting rid of the microbubbles?

[fishdoc11]

Reduce flow through the skimmer or clean the venturi valve(which if it's new should'nt need cleaning). The powerhead might have an attachment that allows you to adjust flow.
Chris

[adshuraj777]

this thing is kickin' my tail...

should the foam come up the cup to the top consistantly? it seemd wheni adjust it to do that, water ends up coming through, do I adjust it so the foam just goes up near the top, will it eventually spill over into the cup as the gunk builds up??

help! lol!

[fishdoc11]

There should be a suggestion in the instructions that gives you a good starting point for adjusting the skimmer, adjust water bubble interface to the o ring etc..You want to adjust it so you get a dry foam. I know that sounds funny but bubbles should not come out all the time. In fact if you sat there and watched it you would only see surges in the bubbles every so often so that a few would come out the top and go into the cup. You will have to play with it for awhile to get it where you want it. All skimmers are different and really the only way to figure out where they need to be set is trial and error. Good luck
Chris

[fishdoc11]

You will also have to adjust it and then let it go an hour or so and check it. When you adjust it it breaks the bubbles that have built up above the water column. You want the top of the bubble column to be just at the top of the throat of the skimmer with a few coming over and breaking into the cup every so often. This will be after you have let it go awhile.
Chris