Things You'll Need
- ASM G6 protein skimmer
- Sump
- Aquarium cabined, over 55-inches tall
- 15-gallon plastic bucket
- Two cups of table salt
- Clean sponge
- Long handled plastic aquarium tongs
Instructions
Rinse the skimmer under warm running water to remove any oily residue from the manufacturing process.
Rinse your hands under warm water to remove any soap residue and natural body oils, both of which are detrimental in saltwater aquariums.
Place the skimmer in a clean, plastic 15-gallon bucket. Fill the bucket with warm water, and add two cups of table salt.
Use a clean sponge, and wash the skimmer to remove any oily film on the inside of the reaction chamber, as oils will prevent correct skimming. Use a long-handled plastic aquarium tong to push the sponge into the skimmer and to clean it thoroughly.
Remove the skimmer and give it a final rinse under a running tap.
Open the covers to the pump wells. Remove the needle wheels, and wash the insides of the wells with salt water. Rinse under warm running water, and reassemble the pumps.
Attach each pump to the body of the skimmer, and place it in the sump.
Ensure sufficient water is in the sump to cover the Sedra pumps, with an additional 2.5 to 3 inches of water above each.
Ensure that the pumps do not touch the walls of the sump, to prevent a vibrating sound.
Position the riser pipe at its lowest possible setting, and run the skimmer for at least six hours to allow it to produce skimmate, which is dirty foam.
Adjust the riser pipe until the skimmate is an inch from the top edge of the skimmer neck, which is visible within the collection cup.
Extend the riser pipe to obtain a wet skimmate, and lower the riser pipe to obtain a dry skimmate.