What is "THE" HOB Protein Skimmer

[intarsiabox]

I have an Aquamaxx HOB-1 that skims great, is very quiet and doesn't produce micro bubbles but I do get a trickle of a little larger bubbles that seeps out of the top of the discharge and go directly to the surface without getting dispersed into the tank. Now it did not start out with no micro bubbles, and most HOB's won't at first. They all have a break in period, mine was about a month before the micro bubbles were completely gone. You should probably give yours some more time and give it a couple of full cleans including the pump with some vinegar. I have not owned the eshopps skimmer myself but they are supposed to be a really good skimmer and it sounds like yours skims very well, don't give up on it just yet.

[SeaHorse_Fanatic]

I have to admit that I am extremely impressed with the amount and darkness/thickness of the stinky skimmate my new-to-me Bubble Magus NAC5E Hang-On-Back Protein Skimmer is producing. It's on a heavily stocked, heavily fed RSM 34g and its pulling out crud like crazy. Really happy with it. Thanks MCC.

Anthony

[Magickiwi]

Originally Posted by intarsiabox

I have an Aquamaxx HOB-1 that skims great, is very quiet and doesn't produce micro bubbles but I do get a trickle of a little larger bubbles that seeps out of the top of the discharge and go directly to the surface without getting dispersed into the tank. Now it did not start out with no micro bubbles, and most HOB's won't at first. They all have a break in period, mine was about a month before the micro bubbles were completely gone. You should probably give yours some more time and give it a couple of full cleans including the pump with some vinegar. I have not owned the eshopps skimmer myself but they are supposed to be a really good skimmer and it sounds like yours skims very well, don't give up on it just yet.

So what should I be doing with the skimmer to help it settle down? You mention scrubbing with vinegar but I thought the skimmers used the slime coat that collects in it. I've even been wondering if I clean the skim cup too well because it seems to bubble more after I wash the cup.

As I said the included instructions give you bup-kiss in terms of direction or help.

[pinkreef]

eshopps 100gal hob is my favourite
easy to adjust - others are so finicky

[Magickiwi]

Originally Posted by pinkreef

eshopps 100gal hob is my favourite
easy to adjust - others are so finicky

How do you adjust? Just turning the pipe on top of the outlet or is there other adjustments to the skimmer?

[pinkreef]

yes, just turning the pipe on top of the outlet
i have two collection cups and just swap them out
i had a hard time with my last brand before eshopps with it
running too wet or too dry, i used to unplug it and clean out
the cup then plug it back in
pita

[hillegom]

When cleaning the skimmer cup, I do not touch the portion of the cup that gets wet from the tank water. The oils from my hand seem to have a temporary, negative effect on the operation of the skimmer.

[pinkreef]

I turn down the bubbles, remove the cup and lid and take it to the sink
wash in warm water and nothing else except a sponge
rinse thoroughly and set back up onto the skimmer
adjust the bubbles back up and thats it. if you have microbubbles they
supply the black foam piece to go on the end of the output. (i dont use
it because i have no microbubbles) if you use some additives or epoxy
in your tank you will have microbubbles until you wc it out.

[intarsiabox]

Originally Posted by Magickiwi

So what should I be doing with the skimmer to help it settle down? You mention scrubbing with vinegar but I thought the skimmers used the slime coat that collects in it. I've even been wondering if I clean the skim cup too well because it seems to bubble more after I wash the cup.

As I said the included instructions give you bup-kiss in terms of direction or help.

The plastic that the skimmers are made of usually have a coating on them that eventually wears off and is not harmful, the vinegar wash gets rid of it faster and speeds up the skimmers break in time. This doesn't have to be done often just at start up and then occasionally after that. I personally find that a clean collection cup works much better than a slimy one as the bubbles can grab onto the plastic when clean. My Aqua C Remora would stop skimming altogether after a couple of days until the cup was cleaned again. All my HOB skimmers stopped producing micro bubbles within a 4 week period and after a complete tear down and cleaning. If you find it skimming too aggressively just raise the cup up a bit until you are happy with the results.