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Protien skimmer/power head problems

Discussion in 'Cedar Rapids & Iowa City Region' started by jlimaye, Oct 25, 2012.

  1. Oct 25, 2012 #1
    jlimaye

    jlimaye New User

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    Im a 17 year old and have had my 55gal set up and cycled for about two weeks now.

    My first problem is my power head. My collection cup is filling with water and I know it's is most likely because it has just broke in but not sure how to handle it, I'm loosing a decent amount of water daily. I read it might be because my tank is to full but was curious if there were any other issues/solutions that could be possible?

    My second problem has to do with my powerheads .I bough two, up to 70gal powerheads for my tank and thought they were fine until I introduced my first fish, two small perculas a couple days ago. They tend to only swim beneath either powerhead in each corner and when swimming through the middle of the tank seem to be swept in the current, or they look like they are fighting to swim. I was not sure if they are just not used to my tank, or if my powerheads are too strong, and if so if there is something I could buy that allows me to adjust the rate of flow of either powerhead?

    Any help would be apprectiated for this first time aquariast!!!
     
  2. Oct 25, 2012 #2
    Foo

    Foo Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    Brand of skimmer and powerheads?
     
  3. Oct 25, 2012 #3
    Tickyty

    Tickyty Well-Known ReefKeeper

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    What is the model of the power heads also. There should be a way to adjust the water column level of your skimmer. By telling us the model someone on here may have experience with that particular one and would be able to walk you through the adjustment.
     
  4. Oct 25, 2012 #4
    Kpotter2 North liberty, IA

    Kpotter2 Expert Reefkeeper

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    Where do you live? There are so many Reefers in this area that some one would surly gladly help you out. Skimmers are set manually and after broken in then small adjustment to get them going correctly after that. Sometimes cheaper skimmers are harder to control, but once set they work ok.

    Model of Skimmer and Power heads along. This will help us figure out what might be going on as others have told you. Fish like clowns will get use to the power heads flow, but you can try moving the flow around. Do you have Live rock in there for them to hide around? Most of the times close like to sleep around edges of glass and hang out there also.


    Kyle
     
  5. Oct 25, 2012 #5
    Lee

    Lee Experienced Reefkeeper

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    Welcome!

    What type of water are you using? Is it treated tap-water? If so, that is the biggest problem with your skimmer. They don't work well with treated water. You will want to use Reverse Osmosis & Deionized water if using a skimmer and have plans to have coral. If you are already using RO/DI water, than make sure your collection cup on the skimmer is set as high as it will go and then start lowering it as necessary..

    Like already stated, if you post the model/brand of your equipment we can help you out a little further. As far as the powerheads, it depends on what Gallon Per Hour (GPH) they are rated, and how "wide" of flow they are. The clowns most likely came from a fish store that had very low flow and they aren't used to it just yet.... they will adapt and it will keep them fit & healthy. You can try pointing them towards the front of the glass so it breaks up the flow a little more.
     
  6. Oct 26, 2012 #6
    jlimaye

    jlimaye New User

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    Yeah, I've filled my tank with RO water and have been doing my changes with it as well. My skimmer is a Reef Octopus Bh-100ss. Also I was able to get a hold of my power head's manufacturer and got that cleared up, but any help with my skimmer would still be appreciated.
     
  7. Oct 26, 2012 #7
    jlimaye

    jlimaye New User

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    Also, I live in Marion.
     
  8. Oct 27, 2012 #8
    Kpotter2 North liberty, IA

    Kpotter2 Expert Reefkeeper

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    I think he did, because the day of when he wanted it moved he text me ad said he got it moved.
     
  9. Oct 28, 2012 #9
    blackx-runner Cedar Rapids, IA

    blackx-runner Administrator Website Team Leadership Team

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    The skimmer sounds like you just don't have the height of the collection cup set correctly. If its just filling with water raise the collection cup a little higher.
     

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