How to Adjust a Gate Valve on a Reef Devil

One of the most important components of any saltwater aquarium is the protein skimmer. Protein skimmers pump air into the aquarium water, creating masses of air bubbles. These air bubbles float to the top of the water and trap excess protein and impurities. The Reef Devil skimmer is a product designed for large, heavily stocked saltwater aquariums. The gate valve adjusts the amount of water contained inside the skimmer, and thus the amount of protein that is collected.

Instructions

    • 1

      Locate the water outlet gate valve, which is a white tube-like projection attached to the bottom of the skimmer.

    • 2

      Turn the small gray knob on the water outlet valve counterclockwise to open it fully. Submerge the Reef Devil skimmer into the aquarium water, if it is not already installed. Attache the skimmer per the manufacturer's instructions.

    • 3

      Place your hand into the aquarium and turn the water valve clockwise until there is only a half-inch of foam in the foam condenser tube.The foam condenser tube is the clear plastic tube on the right side of the skimmer.

    • 4

      Allow the valve to remain in this position for 24 hours, or until foam starts to appear in the disposable waste cup. The waste cup is the clear cup on top of the foam condensing tube.

    • 5

      Reach into the aquarium and turn the knob on the gate valve 1/4 of a turn clockwise. Wait two to three hours and examine the amount of foam in the waste cup. The foam in the cup should be a dry foam with little liquid content. In addition, the top layer of foam will have a light brown color.

    • 6

      Continue adjusting the gate valve knob 1/4 of a turn every several hours until the proper consistency of foam is achieved.