Cheap protein skimmer help

[micstarz]

Hi.

I bought a cheap protein skimmer, composed of a pump (which makes flow and air bubbles), the main cylinder, the collection cup and the outlet.

It isn't very well designed because the only flow control valve is near the outlet, AFTER the main cylinder. The pump pushes water and air in too fast, so that the bubbles don't slow down enough to rise into the main cylinder, instead at least half of them spit out of the outlet, coating my fish with bubbles and everything. When I try to control the flow by the valve at the outlet, the water just forces it's way out of the top of the cylinder, using the collection cup as the way out. What can I do?

 

[heavyhitter]

Can you lower your collection cup to get lover to capture the bubbles with out submersing the cup.

I no longer do saltwater tanks but with the experience I have had with cheap skimmers is that they are all a waste of money.

The cheapest one I found that worked was a CPR Bak-pak, and that was only mediocre at best.

 

[micstarz]

No, I can't lower the cup unfortunately...

But I'll try partially blocking the out tube...

 

[heavyhitter]

what size tank? Maybe get a new skimmer. Aqua C Remora's are nice hob units.

 

[micstarz]

Yeah, I might get a new skimmer, definitely a HOB this time...
but I might not need a skimmer...it's a 10gal with 5 fish.
4 of the fish are going except for the puffer...

 

[duanes]

If it's mechanically possible, you could put a valve between the pump and skimmer to throttle the pump power back.
I also find, that where the relationship is, between the tank water surface, and where the skimmer surface is, can have an effect the way it works.
Slowly move the skimmer up and down vertically while it's working, to see if anything changes at different heights.
Mine is a countercurrent venturi model, if I put it too low in relationship to the water surface, it won't foam. If I place it too high above the surface, it spills water instead of foam.
I needed to find the sweet spot and it works perfectly.

 

[heavyhitter]

Yeah, I might get a new skimmer, definitely a HOB this time...
but I might not need a skimmer...it's a 10gal with 5 fish.
4 of the fish are going except for the puffer...

WHOA! 5 fish in a salt water tank

Keeping any SW puffer in a 10gallon

wow.... just wow

 

[micstarz]

If it's mechanically possible, you could put a valve between the pump and skimmer to throttle the pump power back.
I also find, that where the relationship is, between the tank water surface, and where the skimmer surface is, can have an effect the way it works.
Slowly move the skimmer up and down vertically while it's working, to see if anything changes at different heights.
Mine is a countercurrent venturi model, if I put it too low in relationship to the water surface, it won't foam. If I place it too high above the surface, it spills water instead of foam.
I needed to find the sweet spot and it works perfectly.

It's not really practical to add a valve, but I'll try partially blocking the out tube of the pump...thanks for the advice, I'll see if I can find a better spot.
What if I raised the out tube above the water so that the bubbles could surface before the water went back into the tank? Do you reckon it would work?

WHOA! 5 fish in a salt water tank

Keeping any SW puffer in a 10gallon

wow.... just wow

I know...
2 clowns
A yellow fish (flame time)
An electric damsel
A 4 month old molly...
Go easy I just started

The tank is 1 month old :lipsseale
I use direct sunlight