Euro-reef Skimmer

[ZigZagZombie]

Just purchased a CS5-2 Euro-reef skimmer. Now it's been running all day, but isn't making any foam. Is there a break in period until it works? Thanks in advance....

 

[shawnz28]

Most skimmers in general take anywhere from a few days to a week to break in and being skimming.

 

[Bojangles]

I'm on my 2nd skimmer and both came with directions saying 2 weeks.

 

[Anonymous]

Mine took about 2 week also. Don't forget to clean that sponge they have to cut down on micro bubbles, it gets cacked up pretty fast.

 

[ChrisV]

The cs5-3 produced foam within 2 days in my 50 gal, that tank was farming some nitrates in those days though. Nice skimmer you will like it a lot im sure...

-CV

 

[ZigZagZombie]

Well it's producing foam now, but not a real dry foam. So really don't know if it's right yet. I have the riser tube all the way down, and when i raise it a little it will overflow. So maybe the skimmer has to be a little higher in the sump. Have you guys experienced this also? Like i said, i don't know what to expect out of it yet....

 

[Anonymous]

I have the ES5-3 - I have in in about 8 inches of water
_________________
grand daddy purple seeds

 

[ZigZagZombie]

Thats what i have mine in. Like i said it's making foam, but not the kind like i seen at the LFS. He uses them on all his tanks. They really kick out the dark brown foam. Im sure it will in a few days....

 

[ChrisV]

Yeah, I almost forgot about that water lvl in sump is important depending on how dry you want the foam mines about 6-7 inch...

 

[RobertoVespucci]

Yeah, I almost forgot about that water lvl in sump is important depending on how dry you want the foam mines about 6-7 inch...

Hmm? Explain this thing to me, please.

 

[ChrisV]

Oh, I was just saying I agree that the water lvl in sump can also effect foam density. Even though you can adjust with the riser tube the sump water level can have an effect...

I keep my cs5-3 in 6-7" deep water, but im sure its different for the other models.

 

[RobertoVespucci]

Ok, hadn't heard that before. So, does having a high water level make the foam more or less dense?

 

[Anonymous]

Ok, hadn't heard that before. So, does having a high water level make the foam more or less dense?

What it does is raise or lower the water level within the chamber which changes to consistency of the foam. So, my skimmer is setup for the water to be at "x"...if it is lower, I've got to adjust that sleeve up to get the correct foam otherwise it's too dry. If the level is too high and I don't adjust it downwards I get foam that's too wet.

 

[RobertoVespucci]

Cool.

I've been tinkering with my skimmer, and I have yet another question. Is it better to have finer bubbles, milky like, with the occasional large bubble burp, or larger bubbles, like soda, without any burps?

 

[ChrisV]

The smaller the bubbles the more effective skimming is right?

 

[Anonymous]

Yes indeedy....smaller is better in this instance.

 

[ZigZagZombie]

Yes smaller is better...Came home from work today, and it was kicking out the dark foam now. Now i have a question...How often do you guys clean the collection cup? Every couple days, or once a week?

 

[Anonymous]

Once a week when I change the water, I pull the skimmer out, clean the cup and the chamber. I also throw 1/4 cup of Kalk into the collection cup, it cuts down on the stink factor big time.

 

[ZigZagZombie]

Thanks for that tip. Never heard of putting kalk in it. Will give it a try. Say Lawdawg where in Michigan are you?

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for that tip. Never heard of putting kalk in it. Will give it a try. Say Lawdawg where in Michigan are you?

I live in Livonia, Metro Detroit area.