Controlling a skimmer

[drdude05]

This may seem like a very elementary question but after reading several threads about algae and cyano control ... one theme that kept reappearing was "skimming wet to maximize nutrient export by the skimmer". My question is, what does is mean to wet skim? What does "skimming wet" mean? What does skimmate that is "wet" look like compaired to "normal" skimmate? And for that matter what constitutes "normal" skimmate?

If you decide to skim "wet" how does one go about "boosting" their skimmer to skim wet? Does this involve adding a more powerful pump to the skimmer (by the way, I tried this already and only succeded in overflowing water from the neck and collection cup of my skimmer). Does it involve restricting outflow from the skimmer so the foam height in the neck rises closer to the spill over into the colleciton cup?

I general I would like to try to "skim wet" for awhile to see if this helps with my phosphate problem.

[partobe]

Hi drdude
I asked the same question a few weeks ago and here is what I learned. Wet skimming produces more skimate. No you don't need a bigger pump or at least you shouldn't. What I did to my coralife 220 was just turn the air tube up until the foam coming out and collecting in the collection cup was not over flowing but close to it. I'm not sure what kind of skimmer you have? But if it has a knob on the air hose just turn it until the foam is wet. You do have to watch your skimmer closely when you skim wet because they will over flow(well my coralife does anyway). I hope this has been of some help to you.

[jenajet]

Yep what partobe said. It will help knowing the exact skimmer and they are all made different so there are different ways of adjusting the skimmer. Now wet is when you get a lighter thinner skimmate and depending on the collection cup you will have to empty more often. Dry you will get more foam, less actual liquid and a lot thicker skimmate.

[drdude05]

Ok, I have an ASM G4X with a gate valve and recirc mod. The air tube that provides for the venturi has no control on it. However, height of foam in the skimmer neck is controlled by closing the gate valve and restricting flow out of the skimmer. I have already done this and the foam column is parked just below the very top of my skimmer. Still not getting much out so I guess I need small tweaks in the gate valve until I start seeing clearer skimmate.

[partobe]

Morning drdude
I have no idea how your skimmer would work but I do know the manufactures will tell you that you should rum your skimmer with the water level just as you have it. How do I know because I called corlife and asked them how to rise the water level in the water chamber.Is your skimmer in your main tank or your sump? Sometimes (don't quote me)
by raising the water level in the sump or main tank can cause the skimmer to produce more skim mate.
Patrick