1. What does a protein skimmer do and what is foam fractionation?
2. Can I use OZONE (O3) in my Euro-Reef protein skimmer?
3. Should I use OZONE (O3) in my Euro-Reef protein skimmer to control my ORP?
5 I am wondering how to use my calcium reactor safely with my Euro-Reef skimmer.
6 I'm having a hard time visualizing how to install an RC skimmer outside a sump.
1. What does a protein skimmer do and what is foam fractionation?
A. Technically:
"Foam fractionation is method of separation in which a component of the bulk liquid is preferentially adsorbed at the liquid/vapor (L/V) interface and is removed by foaming" 1972, 31, 609 - IUPAC Compendium Of Technical Terminology, 2nd edition (1997).
Protein skimming is a (slightly) less technical term that is used in the aquarium industry to describe the process of foam fractionation. What is most important is to understand what a protein skimmer does in your aquarium. Due to the effect of fractionation in seawater (your aquarium), the net result is a removal of DOC's ( Dissolved Organic Compounds - i.e. fish waste) BEFORE they are oxidized (broken down) into toxic chemicals like Ammonia, Nitrite and Nitrate. This means less bad stuff in the water and less stress on the animals! Producing the largest volume of the smallest bubbles and allowing them to react with the aquarium water for the longest time possible - i.e. a Euro-Reef protein skimmer, achieves the most efficient protein skimming!
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2. Can I use OZONE (O3) in my Euro-Reef protein skimmer?
A. Yes, all Euro-Reef protein skimmers are safe for use with ozone.
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3. Should I use OZONE (O3) in my Euro-Reef protein skimmer to control my ORP?
A. Our official position is, NO, you should not use OZONE in your Euro-Reef protein skimmer. While the answer to this question is our opinion, there are some important "facts" that have lead us to our current position and they should be considered. ORP, or Oxidation Reduction Potential, is a very mis-understood measurement and also an overused and abused term. While ozone will "technically" affect/adjust your ORP, it is far more desirable to achieve a stable ORP level via proper protein skimming, regular small water changes, and the consistent use of small amounts of GAC (Granular Activated Carbon). Ozone is extremely dangerous and very difficult to use properly. It should most definitely NOT be used in a protein skimmer if your intent is to gain the maximum benefit from it with the least amount of hassle. The reason it should not be used in a skimmer is that it inhibits the skimming process and defeats the purpose of the skimmer all together because it oxidizes organics (converts them into Nitrate) that the skimmer is supposed to remove BEFORE they are oxidized. If your intent is to use OZONE as a prophylactic to control pathogens ( parasites, bacteria etc,.), then a much better medium for ozone use is an ozone reactor. This device will allow you to get the maximum benefit from ozone while allowing the best opportunity to make sure that residual ozone does not enter into the filtration system/ sump or the aquarium proper where it can be very damaging. At the very least one should learn all one can about OZONE and weigh the drawbacks and benefits as an informed decision is ALWAYS a better decision.
If you do choose to use ozone, we suggest that you contact your local dealer or the manufacturer of the ozone generator to determine how to best utilize the device with our product.
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The only place they could be coming from is the riser pipe assembly. Under normal operating conditions, the level of bubbles in the skimmer body does not drop low enough to allow bubbles to exit via the riser pipe assembly. If the venturi is clogged and the pump is pulling more water than air, more turbulence will be created in the reaction chamber and this can force air bubbles to the bottom of the chamber where they can escape out the riser pipe. To correct this problem, you can prepare some warm R.O. water and dip the airline tube in the cup allowing it to suck up the warm water. This will aid in dissolving any build up of salt crystals or dust that has accumilated in the venturi's intake nipple. If the clog is due to the build up of calcium, follow the instructions HERE to service the pump and clear the pathway for airflow.
If the venturi is clear and the skimmer is still expelling bubbles, it may be caused by the over production bubbles and there are two reason this may be happening:
1. The filtering of water with excessive amounts of organics.
2. The filtering of water with an excessive amounts of a foaming agent of some kind i.e.:
a) Water conditioners (Amquel, Novaqua, Stress Coat, Prime etc), trace elements, medications, resins,
b) chemical residue on filter material (Polyfilters, filter socks, sponges etc).
There are two things you can do to adjust the skimmer and aid in the removal of the excessive substance.
1) Use the airline control valve to adjust the skimmers air intake (included with all skimmers manufactured after May 2005). That will limit the amount of bubbles that are produced. Once the foaming agent is removed, you can open the valve more or remove it completely.
2) Add 1 lb per 100 gallons of HIGH QUALITY GAC (Granular Activated Carbon), that will quickly remove most foaming agents.
Besides that, you just have to wait it out. It's not the skimmer, it's what's in the water.
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A The best thing to do would be to keep the output of effluent from the CA reactor as far away from the inlet to the skimmer pump as possible. If you can put the CA reactor in that second sump you mentioned, and put that sump "downstream" from the first sump with the skimmer in it, that would be best. The only other thing is to be sure not to maintain CA, kH, & Mg levels to far above NSW (Natural Sea Water) : 350ppm/mgl CA, 7º kH, 1300 ppm/mgl Mg. Be sure to service the pumps per the manuals instructions AT LEAST quarterly. Every other month would be ideal. You could buy a spare pump for ease and simply swap pumps every other month. This makes cleaning a more leisure a task rather that having to quick clean it and get it back into operating. It w ill also allow you to do a more thorough cleaning when you do it.
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A It is quite simple actually. Water is supplied to the skimmer by a separate feed pump or a tee off of the main system pump. Water returns to the sump via the outlet assembly which has a minimum height. This height varies from model to model so you will need to determine which model you are going to purchase in order to arrange the return plumbing. If the top of the sump wall is lower than the minimum height for the outlet assembly, you are good to go. Simply set the skimmer next to the sump and direct the return into it. If your sump wall is higher than the skimmer outlet, you will need to do one of two things:
1. Raise the skimmer so that it can drain freely into the sump.
2. Plumb through the sump wall to the skimmer outlet can be attached to it.
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7. Where do most people put the return pipe, straight down in the water or on a angle. If straight down how deep? I have mine on a angle and it makes a lot on noise with the water splashing in. Any other tips on the RS Series?
A: You can submerge the return pipe, but then you must modify the elbow it is connected to by drilling a 3/8" -1/2" OD hole on the top of the curve. This will provide a vent for the flow so it will not create a vacuum. You can also simply replace the ELL with a 50mm TEE available on our online store in the "Parts & Accessories/PVC Parts/Elbows" section.
8. Should I use the Airflow Control Valve (AVC) some say to take the valve out completely so it won’t get clogged. Does anybody do this.
A. The Airflow Control Valve should be loft OFF of the skimmers air intake tube unless you are trying to increase flow through the skimmer and decrease air intake. Some have found that you can get slightly smaller bubbles by restricting the airflow a bit, but it is not a consistent result in light of countless variables that affect the formation, volume and size of bubbles.
9. How do I find the Easter Egg?
You have to find a link to it on one of the pages, but it's not here.