I believe it’s a skimmer….

[Maximus146]

The instructions said it was optional to use it, this skimmer I believe, but other than make noise like it’s sucking air every once in a while; is there really any need for it? The red piece sticking out of the top must be some sort of adjustment but I always have it in the same position because if I turn it, it just sounds like it’s sucking air and the filter doesn’t expel any water. Please don’t mind the algae on it….

 

[Rocksor]

It looks like it's doing its job of skimming the surface of debris and oil (from food). It's only the past year that I started using one for freshwater, but I only have it on 2 hours after feeding and 3 hours before a water change, no all day.

Does it still make the air noise when none of the plant stuff is around the top?

 

[Maximus146]

It looks like it's doing its job of skimming the surface of debris and oil (from food). It's only the past year that I started using one for freshwater, but I only have it on 2 hours after feeding and 3 hours before a water change, no all day.

Does it still make the air noise when none of the plant stuff is around the top?

Ok when you say you have it on, do you mean physically connected or is there a way you start / stop it from skimming without disconnecting it?
To be honest, I haven’t really noticed when it’s making noise with it without debris at the top but I’ll start checking ??

 

[Rocksor]

My skimmer is not attached to a canister, which is what yours looks like. It's an in tank skimmer that I plug in. The white plastic part is a separate piece that floats depending on the water line. I suspect you need to raise the waterline a little bit more or lower the skimmer so that the top grate is less than 1/8" above the waterline. When I look down at my skimmer the water isn't pouring in and down the spout like yours, it's more of a tornado because the water is higher than a funnel.

The first thing I would do is remove the debris, and then raise the waterline.

 

[duanes]

Yes a "surface" skimmer (not a protein skimmer/fractionator).
If you clean off the plant pieces it may make less sucking noise, or as Rocksor suggested raise the water line, or lower the skimmer.
I would personally run it constantly.
The water surface (air water interface) tends collect a lot of deleterious stuff like semi soluble proteins, and other pollutents, which IMO are almost worse that the stuff that falls on the substrate (those floating substances inhibit oxygen exchange, and are more or less invisible)). That stuff that can be broken down by biological media when inside a filter.
Your skimmer also tends to keep larger particles out of the filter, and gunking it up.

 

[Maximus146]

My skimmer is not attached to a canister, which is what yours looks like. It's an in tank skimmer that I plug in. The white plastic part is a separate piece that floats depending on the water line. I suspect you need to raise the waterline a little bit more or lower the skimmer so that the top grate is less than 1/8" above the waterline. When I look down at my skimmer the water isn't pouring in and down the spout like yours, it's more of a tornado because the water is higher than a funnel.

The first thing I would do is remove the debris, and then raise the waterline.

Cleared out the debris and the noise stopped. My piranha rip through the plastic plants like it’s their job….lol. Thanks for the help!

 

[Maximus146]

Yes a "surface" skimmer (not a protein skimmer/fractionator).
If you clean off the plant pieces it may make less sucking noise, or as Rocksor suggested raise the water line, or lower the skimmer.
I would personally run it constantly.
The water surface (air water interface) tends collect a lot of deleterious stuff like semi soluble proteins, and other pollutents, which IMO are almost worse that the stuff that falls on the substrate (those floating substances inhibit oxygen exchange, and are more or less invisible)). That stuff that can be broken down by biological media when inside a filter.
Your skimmer also tends to keep larger particles out of the filter, and gunking it up.

Yeah mine is running all the time and usually when it starts making that sucking noise, I add a gallon of water to the tank. But now that I know clearing out the debris is also a factor, I’ll keep an eye on it more often.
Thanks!