Troubleshooting
Adjustments: The skimmer is adjusted using the Flow Control Tap. The Flow Control Tap adjusts the water level in the reaction chamber. If the foam is too wet, even when the Flow Control Tap is fully open, the Neck Extension can be mounted to adjust the foam production.
Air Bubbles: Reduce the length of hose between pump and skimmer. The pump should be placed close to the surface, otherwise more air and less water will be sucked in because of the increasing water pressure. It will result in many air bubbles leaving the skimmer and wet foam will fill the foam cup in a very short time.
If the skimmer is added to an existing aquarium, there may be a high concentration of organic substances already dissolved in the water. This results in very tiny bubbles in the skimmer. These tiny bubbles remove the organic substances effectively. However, it may be that some of these bubbles are drawn back into the aquarium. After a few days, the concentration of organic substances will have decreased to such low levels that this effect will have gone and the water flow is free of air bubbles.
Some types of frozen food may have the same effect. It is best to thaw and wash the food prior to feeding it to the fish. The air bubbles will stop by themselves after a short period.
Wet Foam: With freshly prepared seawater, after using water conditioners, or at extremely high loading, excessive wet foam may be produced. This wet foam is forced into the cup, requiring more frequent emptying than normal. After approximately one day, the aquarium load will be normal and the skimmer will produce the correct foam.
Dry Foam: Not enough foam or too dry foam could be an indication that the Needle Wheel is dirty or the venturi is obstructed. A thorough cleaning is recommended. Remove the hose connection from the pressure side of the pump. Also, increase the water level inside the skimmer using the Flow Control Tap. Remove the Neck Extension.
Maintenance
The collection cup should be cleaned regularly (daily or weekly, depending on the organic load). The reaction pipe of the skimmer needs to be cleaned only once or twice a year. The venturi pumps should be also cleaned from time to time. The pump has to be removed and the complete pump housing and the Needle Wheel flushed with clean water. The same procedure should be undertaken with the air injection nozzle.
General Information
Protein skimming is a method of physical water treatment. It uses a phenomenon known from our daily experience: the adhesion of surface-active substances to air water layers. If a drop of oil is added to a water surface, a thin film is produced with a thickness of only one molecule. Surface-active compounds like proteins behave in the same way. The Turboflotor Blue uses its air bubbles to create a large water surface for the waste substances to attach themselves to. These air bubbles are forced into the reactor-pipe in such a way that they undergo a long contact time within the counter current. Enriched with organic substances, they rise to the top and form firm foam that is dehydrated and pushed into the collection cup. This method removes organic wastes from the aquarium water before they become part of the biological waste treatment cycle.
The included venturi pump draws water out of the aquarium or filter chamber, mixes it in the pump housing with air, which is then cut into small air bubbles by the AB Aqua Medic needle wheel. This water/air mixture is pumped into the reaction pipe where the organic substances are taken up by the air bubbles. Foam is formed and is pushed into the foam cup. The purified water leaves the skimmer via the outlet and is directed by gravity back to the aquarium or the filter sump.
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 "Turboflotor Blue 1000")
Easy-to-install skimmer design gives you one-pump, hang-on convenience. Use your versatile Turboflotor Blue series skimmer as a hang-in tank or mount inside of a sump-style aquarium filter. Patented water flow extends contact time within the reaction chamber and the powerful Aqua Medic needle wheel pump with venturi air intake optimizes air intake and bubble size to ensure high waste removal. All three models sized to fit nearly every standard aquarium cabinet. Made of high quality acrylic.
