Protein skimmers play an integral role in our coral reef aquariums. This is because they have the ability to remove organic compounds at a faster pace than the water column.
There are two primary categories of protein skimmers: mechanical and chemical. The Simplicity protein skimmer is a mechanical protein skimmer that employs air bubbles to shake the water surface and generate foam on which micro-organisms settle. The micro organism attracts cleaner wrasses such as fairy wrasses.
Unplug The Protein Skimmer.
The Simplicity Protein Skimmer is a type of skimmer that is designed to remove dissolved organic compounds from the water in your reef tank. The Simplicity Protein Skimmer can be adjusted if you feel that it is not performing as efficiently as it should be. Adjusting the unit will not only improve the quality of the water in your tank, but also help to protect the health of your fish and other organisms.
Unplug the protein skimmer before attempting any adjustments to it. Unplug the protein skimmer from the wall. Clean the collection cup and rinse in fresh water. Adjust the protein skimmer’s air intake valve. Adjust the level of water in your aquarium if necessary by adding more saltwater to the tank with a bucket. Plug the protein skimmer back into the wall.
Undo The Collar On The Air Tube
The Simplicity Protein Skimmer is designed to be used in conjunction with a mechanical filter to remove solid waste from the aquarium water. The skimmer uses a built-in pump to pull water from your aquarium and send it through an air tube. As the water passes up this tube, tiny bubbles form in the water and collect on the sides of the tube. These bubbles attract debris, which is then removed from the aquarium when you empty the removable collection cup that sits on top of the skimmer. If you find your skimmer isn’t effectively removing debris from your tank, you may need to adjust it.
Step 1
Remove the filter cartridge from your filter housing. Rinse out the remaining debris using tap water and set it aside to dry.
Step 2
Undo the collar on the air tube and pull it free of the impeller housing.
Step 3
Place one hand on each side of the air intake chamber and press down gently, rocking the chamber back and forth until it pops loose from its seal in the impeller housing. Remove this chamber from inside of the impeller housing.
Step 4
Submerge one end of an airline tubing into a bucket of tap water, leaving enough tubing exposed so you can easily hold onto it.
Pull Up On The Base Of The Protein Skimmer
The Simplicity Protein Skimmer is compact and easy to install. It removes organic waste from aquarium water, keeping the tank clean and preventing ammonia poisoning. The skimmer can be adjusted to suit your aquarium needs and comes with a warranty.
- Pull Up On The Base Of The Protein Skimmer To Remove It From Its Socket.
- Remove the lid of the skimmer cup and place it on top of the base so that it does not get lost or broken.
- Gently pull up on the base of the skimmer in order to remove it from its socket.
- Continue pulling until you have removed all of the plastic tubing that is attached to the base at the bottom part of the unit.
- Replace The Plastic Tubing In Your Simplicity Protein Skimmer
- Place a new piece of tubing onto the base of your protein skimmer, making sure that it is securely fastened.
Use A Flathead Screwdriver
Use a flathead screwdriver to turn the adjustment screw located on the bottom of the skimmer base. Turn clockwise to increase the height of the waterline in the skimmer, or counterclockwise to lower it. With some practice and a little trial and error, you can adjust your Simplicity protein skimmer to produce a light brown foam, which is ideal for extracting organic waste from your tank.
Turn The Screw In A Clockwise Direction
Turn the screw in a clockwise direction to decrease the flow rate of the protein skimmer, or in a counterclockwise direction to increase it. The adjustment screw is located at the base of the venturi, which is directly above the pump impeller. The venturi increases water flow and decreases vacuum suction as you turn it clockwise. When you turn it counterclockwise, the water flow decreases and the suction increases. Be careful turning the screw too far, as this may cause problems with your pump impeller and disrupt your filtration system.
Last Words
Whether your protein skimmer is new or old, adjusting its settings may be necessary to make sure the aquarium is being filtered correctly. There are many ways to make this adjustment, but the most common is through changing the pump inside the protein skimmer. The method outlined in this article can help ensure that your protein skimmer is filtering correctly.