How Do I Test A Used Skimmer?

[Betta5]

Hey, I just brought a used v2 skimmer. I dont have my tank set up yet, so how am i going to see if everything works?

simple question, but im just not sure what i would do.

 

[Betta5]

I have about 1.5 kgs of left over salt from keeping a saltwater tank before. Now its not going to be suitable for use in the new tank as its been exposed to the open air and seems to have soaked up water, but could i dump some into a bucket of water and test the skimmer that way?

 

[daz4321]

just put it together place into resevoir of water salted or not turn on the pump you should get water flowing through skimmer and loads of bubble in the lower chamber if using unsalted water these will be large but thats not impotant test the level control to make sure this works . as long as you get flow and bubles your sorted.

 

[Betta5]

Thanks for the reply. Thats really easy. I will just check all is in working order and then have a fiddle about with it all when the tank is set up.

One more question. I am going fish only (No live rock) When should I turn the skimmer on? When I add the fish? When I set the tank up? Am I right in thinking as the tank will be new there wont be much to be skimmed?

 

[seffieuk]

You are right, but I would turn it on straight away

Seffie x

 

[Betta5]

Hey, I got the skimmer today and have tried it out and everything seems to be in great working order but there are loads of bits that I dont know what to do with. Im thinking they are the part that makes it hang on the tank but I dont know how to set them up. Also there is a right angle tube bit which i have NO idea where it goes.

I will take some pics of the bits and number them and see if anyone can help.

 

[seffieuk]

Yep, take us some photos

Does the tube thing have a turn knob on it - if so its the air intake

Seffie x

 

[Betta5]

Where should the water level be, upto the cup? The little thing make the water level go up and down, just not sure where It should be.

 

[seffieuk]

Is it hanging inside or outside the tank?

Turn the valve until you have the most small bubbles

Seffie x

photo would be good

 

[Betta5]

The skimmer is outside of the water, and the pump is in a bucket of salted water. If you turn the knob one way, the water goes high in the skimmer and would overflow into the cup. If you turn it all the other way it bubbles to low. Im just not sure where the water level in the skimmer should be so the foam can come out but the water stays in the skimmer.

 

[seffieuk]

You have to get a happy medium, so that the skimmer is producing lots of small bubbles and producing a fairly dry skim (akin to a childs bubble bath as either AK or Rabbut said the other day).

If you are getting lots of water in the collection cup quickly, you probably have the air valve set-up incorrectly

Seffie x