- A protein skimmer is one of the most important pieces
of a successful reef system.
But sometimes it can be a bit tough to find space for one,
especially if you don't have a sump.
One great solution to this problem
is the HOB-1.5 hang-on-back protein skimmer from AquaMaxx.
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Although it is possible to run a reef tank without a skimmer
a protein skimmer is a key piece of filtration equipment
that will make your life much easier in the long run.
The protein skimmer functions by drawing both air and water
through the pump inlet.
Then the protein skimmer uses a needle wheel impeller
to chop and mix the water and air together.
The bubbles in the heavily aerated water then travel up
through the chamber, stripping the water
of both dissolved organic waste
and inorganic waste, as well.
Once they've reached the top,
the bubbles then dissipate in the collection cup,
leaving only the dissolved waste,
which can then easily be removed.
Because this process is a major way that biological waste
is removed from a tank
before it can break down into pollutants,
having a protein skimmer is the best way to insure
that your tank parameters stay in check.
The issue is that most protein skimmers can be very large
and often require a sump to have enough space to house one.
The Aqua Maxx HOB-1.5
allows sump-less tanks the luxury of having a skimmer
without needing the additional investment of a sump
and the work that goes along with it.
Out of the box there's a bit of assembly required,
but that's why we're here to help.
First things first.
We need to put together the internal plumbing.
Locate the inlet pipe and attach it to the downtube
at the elbow.
Then take the red O-ring from the parts bag
and slide it over the shorter tube.
Once that's secured,
attach the elbow of the other inlet tube to the other side.
Next, locate the pump
and secure the bubble plate to its outlet
using the plastic screw to secure it in its place
until it's finger-tight.
Find the yellow air line
and attach it to the venturi inlet on the pipe as well.
Take the inlet assembly that we initially put together
and fit it into the pump inlet.
Once those are together,
remove the clear divider from the skimmer body.
Slide that pump assembly into it
with the bubble plate resting on the brackets
in the pump chamber.
On the inlet, make sure that the O-ring
is on the inside of the skimmer body
to help keep the plumbing in place
and reduce vibrations from the pump.
Find the loose end on the yellow tube
and attach it to the shorter tube
on the lid-mounted silencer.
The last step is just to add the outer assembly
to the opening, right at the bracket.
This is also the place
where the optional bubble stopper can be installed.
Next, grab the collection cup, lid and large O-ring.
Slide the O-ring around the collection cup.
Insert the cup into the opening
on the top left side of the skimmer
and place the lid onto the cup.
Lastly, attach a white silicon emergency drain
to the outlet on the cup.
Now you're all set to put the skimmer on your tank.
Hang your skimmer on the rim of your tank
with a bracket inlet assembly
and outer assembly on the inside.
Use the screws and the bracket
to position the skimmer vertically.
Please keep in mind that these screws
are only for adjusting the angle of the skimmer
and not for securing it to the tank,
so take it easy on them.
Once the skimmer is mounted on your tank,
fill the body with water.
Disconnect the air line from the silencer
and submerge it in water to purge the air from it.
Plug the power cord in and wait for the pump to prime
but keep in mind this can take a few minutes.
You will know that the pump is fully primed
once the skimmer is actively taking in water
and you can see it coming out of the outlet.
At this point, you can take the air line out of the water
and re-attach it to the silencer.
Now you should be seeing the skimmer pulling air in
and bubbling up.
Adjusting the collection cup to achieve wet or dry skimming
is pretty simple.
Just remove the collection cup and adjust the O-ring
to the desired level.
Raising the collection cup will allow for dryer,
more concentrated skimming,
whereas lowering the cup
will allow for less concentrated skimming.
Both type of skimming, wet or dry, have their benefits.
Be patient, as this can take some trial and error
to get dialed in.
As skimmers tend to be a bit erratic
until they're broken in,
we would recommend keeping your cup at the highest level
for a couple weeks to accommodate the changes
that your skimmer may be initially going through.
As with most equipment, regular maintenance is required
to keep the skimmer running optimally.
I would recommend taking out most of the removable parts
such as air line tubing and the silencer
and soaking them in a solution that is half white vinegar
and half fresh water for a few hours,
or even overnight.
This will loosen up any salt or calcium that has accumulated
and will allow you to easily rinse or scrub it away.
Once the debris and precipitate is removed
give the parts a thorough rinse
and replace them in the skimmer body.
Performing this type of maintenance
is especially important for the pump,
as the pump is the heart of your skimmer.
To clean the pump,
carefully turn the faceplate counterclockwise.
Once it's free, the inlet will pull out relatively easily
and reveal the impeller.
Remove the impeller
and make sure that the chamber is free of debris.
Soak the pieces in a vinegar solution with the others
and scrub and rinse them once everything is loose.
To put the pump back together, reinsert the impeller,
making sure that it is resting in the cavity
in the back of the chamber.
Replace the inlet and carefully rotate the faceplate
clockwise until it is locked.
And then you're all set.
As always, if you're still having trouble with your skimmer,
feel free to give us a call or shoot us an email
and we'll be happy to lend you a hand.
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Until next time, take care and happy reef keeping.
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