It seems like no two HOB skimmers are created the same. I've been using this skimmer for 9 or 10 months with no real issue. But the water level started getting high in the chamber on the left, and it is about to overflow out. I've tried adjusting it every way I know how. I've taken it off my tank, dumped all the water out, and cleaned it. I cannot find any way to make the water level in the left chamber go down. The brand is AquaEuro. It didn't even come with a user manual. My next purchase for my tank will be a sump. (I run a canister filter). So if I need to buy a new skimmer, I want to wait until I can buy one that can be housed in the sump. But I am really lost with this. I have used Google, and there really is no good article that I can find on the subject. Help! I just added my first SPS, so I want to make sure I am running the skimmer most of the time!
Have you tried adjusting your air. the less air I have running through the more water. Check to make sure it's not clogged. Is it still skimming good or is it more diluted now? Sent from uh......
There is a white air tube that goes into the pump. (That is submerged underwater). At the end of the tube, (out of the water) there is a black thing. I think it is maybe called a silencer. I've tried taking it out, and running with it on. The water level still stays the same. But there is lots of air bubbles in the chamber, (it looks normal to me), so I think that it is getting plenty of airflow. I've been trying to get it set all day. The water level was running a little lower today in the chamber on the left, so I let it run. But the cup filled up FAST, and it was almost clear. So very diluted. I can't run it for very long now, b/c the water is so high in the chamber on the left, less than a 1/4 of an inch from running over. I start my work week tomorrow. So I'm kind of scared about running it while I'm at work, or even while I'm asleep.
You have probably read my posts about HOB overflows. It's not a matter of if it will overflow, but when. You are lucky you were there to catch it. I can't be of much help not being able to see it and how it is set up, but as far as not running a skimmer for now, that should not be a problem if you make the change fairly soon. I know there are people that run skimmer less tanks and do quite well. I would go to weekly water changes and buy a good ASM skimmer. They are in sump, very easy to set and adjust, and once adjusted they stay adjusted. Hopefully there will be a member answer this post that can go and help you.
Thanks! I do 15% water changes every week. (5 gallons, in a 33 gallon, not sure of that percentage. Not great in math). And the skimmer is rated for a 100 gallon tank, and I only have a 33 gallon. So maybe I will get by. I've also thought about reducing my feedings to once a week. (Just feeding the tank not long before the water change). But didn't know if that would affect my cleanup crew, and things like my Gonoporia. But I don't have any fish right now. Just invertebrates.
You should be more than fine if that's your water change routine, even with the sps. Sent from uh......
Thanks! I'll try to test my tank several times this week, and see if I notice any difference by going without a skimmer. I know a lot of people don't run one, but I always have. In the past I would overfeed, but I think I have started to getting the feeding down a little better. But it just seems like some of my LPS are always begging to eat! LOL
Have you added any supplements such as reef booster to the tank? Used a lot of reef epoxy recently? Those things can make any skimmer go crazy for a bit.
No. I'd say a month or so ago, I used epoxy. I had that initial moment where the skimmer went crazy for a few hours. But it was fine after that. The only thing I add to my tank is Kent's Part A & B to help with the calcium and alkalinity. I've tried to think of anything I've done different, but can't. And it seems like any adjusting I do doesn't really have much of an effect on it. Hopefully it is just something simple that I am doing.
This is the exact skimmer that I have: http://www.aquaeurousa.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=62_66&product_id=299
This one site has these instructions listed: Rise skimmer thoroughly with freshwater Screw on pump adaptor to top of pump Thread pump air hose through air hose holder hole nbear top Attach silencer to top of air hose Add collection cup with top cover and rubber o ring to skimmer Slide black stabilizer into place Mount skimmer to back of aquarium and be sure it is level by using black screws on bottom of skimmer and stabilizer Plug into GFCI outlet Turn on pump Since I didn't have instructions, I did not fill it up with freshwater. Could this be the problem?
Just stuff I would check. Make sure sponges are clean. Take apart your air line, and silencer make sure it's all connected properly and doesn't have some water in it. Is your water lever higher than normal. You can raise your cup level. Last, is there a drain output on the cup or body. Sent from uh......
The water level in my tank is the same that it has always been. I try to keep it the same level at all times. I've tried raising the collection cup as high as it will go. It has no effect on the water level in the chamber on the left. And the collection cup still fills up in a minute, even raised as high as it can go. I'm not sure what the drain output is. I know there is a circular hole between the two chambers that one chamber outputs water into. I will check all the airline stuff after work tonight. I do appreciate the help. It's just frustrating to have this large box hanging onto my tank, and not work.
I decided to take the HOB skimmer down, and see how my tank does skimmer-less for awhile. I like not having it on my tank though. The tank is much brighter. I didn't realize how dark it made the right side of my tank. All my corals are fully extending, so good sign so far. I'm thinking that maybe a filter in the return container was clogged. I figured out how to tear the skimmer apart, and that black filter, was almost white. I'm thinking that was probably the problem. But I am going to see if the tank does ok without it. (If not, I can add it back). I'm also trying to only feed Rod's frozen food once a week. So hopefully that will help. I appreciate the help though!
Thank you! It's been off a little over a week now. (Counting the time I wasn't running it, b/c it was overflowing). I tested everything before my water change tonight, and it tested really good. I think not having fish, and reducing feeding the tank to once a week has helped. My nitrates have always ran closer to 20ppm. But tonight they tested 0 for the first time ever. I was pretty happy about that. But I am for sure going to continue to keep a close eye, I know things can change in a hurry. And I can see why turning off a protein skimmer could cause issues!
