Prizm Pro Skimmer

[marquesalan]

I have had a Prizm Pro Skimmer on my tank and I cannot figure out how to get any foam from it. The collection cup gets moisture but there is not one drop of foam. Any suggestions on how to achieve the righ settings?

[Irisservice]

How long has it been up?
Some times skimmers have a break in period.
Is it filling with clear water?

[marquesalan]

There is nothing in the collection cup except condensation.[/list]

[Irisservice]

Is it creating bubbles inside the unit?

[marquesalan]

Yes, there are even some bubbles flowing out of the return. I turned the flow regualator so the water level is 1" below the "O" ring (like the directions say) and I turned the air control just enough so there are enough bubbles in both chambers. The bubbles are noisy and inconsistent, not even sounding like an airstone. I don't know why.

[fishfreek]

The prizm skimmers use a ventrui valve to inject air into the impeller housing. The air then mixes with the water at the impeller level and this is what causes your bubbles.

Adjust your skimmer so the water is just below the O ring. You should be able to remove the collection up with out having to adjust the skimmer to lower the water level but the water level should be very near the top close to the O ring.

Sounds like your skimmer is very new. Is your tank new also? You might not have a good buildup of DOC's in the tank yet. How long has this skimmer been running. THe skim will not start to collect in the cup instantly. Instead it will slowly collect over a day period.

Ideally you want a dry dark color foam or a very dark looking liquid in the collection cup.

[marquesalan]

My skimmer is 4 months old and my tank is 6 months old. I don't get anything in my cup except water condensation. Could the unit be broken? The motor works fine and there are bubbles forming. It just seems like they go to the surface and die off.

[fishfreek]

Sounds like your skimmer is working for the most part. I would only say it was not working if it was not injecting air bubbles or the airbubbles where not plentyful.

[Irisservice]

Any update!!!

[marquesalan]

Still no foam whatesoever. This guy at the local fish store showed me how theirs works. He said you just have to fiddle with it but I see no difference. Maybe I just need to leave it alone for a while.

[viking]

Thats strange. I had mine going and producing foam in about 15 mins. Dont know if this will help but how i tuned it was to. First open the air valve right open then just close it a little. Next open the water inlet valve to adjust the hight to about 1/2 inch below the o-ring. I then closed the air valve a little to raise the water level just below the o-ring.
A couple of minor adjustments to stop air bubbles being swept down to far into the outlet.
Thats about it. I will say i'm very happy with the skimmer. Hope you figure out whats wrong.
Cheers,
Viking.

[marquesalan]

I have a 72 gallon with only 3 fish in it. I am recycling my tank so maybe it just isn't ready. I will try your advice but maybe there is just not enough protein to skim.
Thanks for the advice. I will let you know.

[steve1s]

I find the easiest way to test if it's the skimmer or the tank is to add a stress/slime coat additive to the tank water. It is completely harmless to the tank but it should make the skimmer go nuts and fill up quite fast.

Just make sure you are not using any media like Purigen as these additives will reduce it's affectiveness.

Cheers
Steve