Instructions
Adjusting the venturi protein skimmer
Turn on the protein skimmer by plugging the water pump into an electrical outlet. Take care to dry hands thoroughly before handling the electrical cord.
Examine the foam that is being created inside the protein skimmer. A dense, dry foam is desired. If your skimmer is brand new, it will not function properly until a coat of proteins can build up on the inner walls of the skimmer. This can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days.
Locate the venturi valve on the skimmer. It will most likely have an air tube attached to it. At the end of the air tube, there will be an air intake adjustment valve. Turn the air intake valve counter clockwise, to open the valve, allowing more air to enter the protein skimmer. Turn it clockwise, to close the valve, allowing less air to enter the skimmer.
Adjust the air intake valve, open or closed, until a dry foam is created. You will need to make a small adjustment at a time, allowing a few minutes between each, for the skimmer to acclimate.
Examine the foam inside the skimmer. If the foam is dry and slowly crawls up the inner walls of the skimmer, you have successfully adjusted the venturi protein skimmer.
How to Adjust a Venturi Protein Skimmer
Venturi protein skimmers are used to strip waste from saltwater reef aquariums. Unlike the more common air-stone driven skimmer, the venturi protein skimmer uses a venturi valve to inject air into the water column of the skimmer. As water passes the valve, air is drawn in, creating a massive accumulation of fine air bubbles or foam inside the skimmer. As the foam rises, it pushes the waste up and into a collection cup. The venturi protein skimmer functions properly when a dry, dense foam is created. This is done by adjusting the amount of air that enters through the venturi valve.