Improving skimmer performance

[dhellin]

I run a 60 gallon tank with a 15 gallon sump with a skimmer in the sump. I was always disappointed at my skimmer performance- lots of crud would build up on the internal cylinder but very little liquid skimmate in the collection cup. I recently added a sock filter to my outfall pipe which filters out an amazing amount of debris! And, I noticed that my skimmer is starting to perform better- bigger bubbles, less crud but more skimmate. Extra bonus of this new set up, I don't have as much debris accumulating in my sump to rot and drive up my nitrates. This got me thinking, the reason my skimmer probably wasn't performing as well as it should have been was because it was being overloaded by the crud which prevented good bubble formation. Live and learn!

 

[Bobbofin]

What kind of skimmer do you have? My skimmer always performed well, filter sock or not.

 

[willray]

Bigger bubbles are not better smaller bubbles = more surface area more surface area = better skimming and to keep your skimmer in peak efficiency clean that crud often.