Cheato and Skimmers ?

**Deepwater** · 11-04-2007, 11:04 PM

OK , some ppl have said that having cheato in the same chamber, will reduce the amount of skimmate the skimmer produces.

I have an ATI bubble master 200 skimmer for my 90 gal tank. i had a aqua C ev180 and DAS and a G2 all did the same thing , make expensive green tea

when i sold the skimmers to ppl it work excellent for them.

So , does Cheato reduce the way a skimmer works ?

OctaviousMonk · 11-04-2007, 11:16 PM

Well it would in essence act as a filter catching all the particles flowing past it like filter floss so that could reduce the amount of particles in the water for the skimmer to catch. I don't think however that it will export enough nutrients to affect a properly working skimmer. Not to mention if it gets sucked into the skimmer it could clog it and make a mess.

**Deepwater** · 11-04-2007, 11:30 PM

The cheato is after the skimmer , so it really cant get any cheato. Even after cleaning the skimmer and pump it works the same. The wierd part is , if i sell or let somene use the skimmer . it works great for them. Even the other skimmer didnt work right for me , but for others just perfect.

I would put the ati on the frag tank , Buti only have 55 gal of water in total

ALRHA · 11-04-2007, 11:54 PM

i also run chaeto in my sump AFTER my skimmer.

if you want to try out the difference, take the chaeto out for a week (u can put in in a quarantine tank) and see if it skims any different.

OctaviousMonk · 11-05-2007, 12:25 AM

I highly doubt the cheato is causing the issue

**Deepwater** · 11-05-2007, 12:35 AM

THen what could it be.. Im bummed out on this.

Charlesr1958 · 11-05-2007, 06:43 AM

While the chaeto could be helping (most likely is) with water quality, it may just be that your system is not in need of a skimmer and handles what the tank produces and whats introduced. I also hardly ever get any skimmate and most times, don't even bother running the skimmer. But I keep it on hand in case an event happens to warrant its use or I do something retarded like use tap water...lol I would look upon your situation as being a very good thing.

Chuck

Deuce67 · 11-05-2007, 09:27 AM

How much green tea skimmate do you get on a daily basis? Sound like you have it dialed in to produce a wetter skim.

**Deepwater** · 11-05-2007, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deuce67

How much green tea skimmate do you get on a daily basis? Sound like you have it dialed in to produce a wetter skim.

drain valve is open all the way and i put a air valve to get less air for dryer skimmming

eyes

Maybe my tank is too clean

Deuce67 · 11-05-2007, 09:43 AM

Well, I see you have already done what I was going to suggest next. I guess the next thing you can do is to take out the chaeto and see what happens.

Thurge · 11-05-2007, 09:44 AM

I feel your pain. I have a EuroReef and I can only get undrinkable Green Tea in my sump. I was running Cheato and Culerpa in my sump, but it did sin int he chamber before the skimmer. Over the weekend I switched to Grac. for my macro, so I will see if I get any difference.
Plus my skimmer goes NUTS when I do a water change. I have to turn it off for half a day before it even thinks about not overflowing the cup.

Deuce67 · 11-05-2007, 09:50 AM

Deep, i was just looking at you tank you have in the Tank Thread forum, What exactly do you mean by "90 gal with drilled corner drain and return (not overflows)". You dont have an overflow box?

**Deepwater** · 11-05-2007, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deuce67

Deep, i was just looking at you tank you have in the Tank Thread forum, What exactly do you mean by "90 gal with drilled corner drain and return (not overflows)". You dont have an overflow box?

Nope no overflow , on a 90 gal it takes up to much room , SO i have a 1" bulk head with a strainer on the left side for the drain , and 1/2 bulkhead for the return on the right side . Giving a full 90 gal tank

Deuce67 · 11-05-2007, 09:58 AM

How deep below the water line is the strainer? Even a couple of inches would be too deep IMO.

**Deepwater** · 11-05-2007, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deuce67

How deep below the water line is the strainer? Even a couple of inches would be too deep IMO.

its about 1/2 below the water line.

Deuce67 · 11-05-2007, 10:05 AM

Hmmm, I bet even if it is 1/2" below the water line, its still not getting all the protein from the surface. Even a small overflow box build around that strainer would boost the skimmer performance.

**Deepwater** · 11-05-2007, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deuce67

Hmmm, I bet even if it is 1/2" below the water line, its still not getting all the protein from the surface. Even a small overflow box build around that strainer would boost the skimmer performance.

I dont think i would build a small overflow around the strainer, I really dont mess with my tank anymore ,(the inside ) Plus i would have to shut the system down to silicone it

Deuce67 · 11-05-2007, 10:13 AM

I hear yah bud. But you wouldnt have to silicone anything really. You could build something like this. Barr Aquatic Systems - Custom Sumps - Beckett Protein Skimmers - Kalk (Nilson) Reactors - Calcium Reactors - Waste Collectors - Reef Systems - Salt Water Systems

**Deepwater** · 11-05-2007, 10:20 AM

arrg thats ugly lol

Deuce67 · 11-05-2007, 11:32 AM

Lol! Yup, thats why I built mine on the outside