Wet Foam vs. Dry Foam

tankgirl · 12-05-2003, 10:59 PM

I've heard that different people like different kinds of foam production in their skimmers. I'd like to hear why some people prefer dry foam and some like wet foam!!!
Thanks!!!

RanRoc · 12-05-2003, 11:08 PM

I think that the more dry, the more unwanted stuff, and less of the valueable water is taken out. Therefore, I like the dry stuff, and set the collection cup on my AquaC Urchin a bit higher.
-RY

mojoreef · 12-05-2003, 11:10 PM

For me its wet, really wet....the reson is to get as much as I can out, wetter also allows for larger particles to be removed.

Mike

NaH2O · 12-05-2003, 11:14 PM

When researching protein skimmers I ran across this statement on Euro Reef's Website

Quote:

Want wet foam because you just cleaned the algae off the glass?? Raise the pipe up a bit.. Adding new water, food, live rock, resins etc., which often make a protein skimmer go nuts!!?? Just lower the pipe a bit.... THAT'S IT!!

So, in other words you change the foam according to what's happening in the tank???

reefrunner · 12-05-2003, 11:33 PM

A few years ago I read an article in Marine Fish and Reef USA annual by Richard Harker in which he stated that a lighter colored wetter skimmate actually had a higher percentage of waste than the dry foam. I tend to go for a wetter foam, basically for the same reason Mike does, to get as much out as possible

Dennis7 · 12-06-2003, 02:23 AM

I vary mine, sometimes dry and sometimes wet. Wetter when I stir things up in the tank.

jks1 · 12-06-2003, 07:24 AM

i try and find the happy medium, somewhere between having to empty the collection cup once a day or two

wooddood · 12-06-2003, 07:52 AM

wet hear too,seems to do a better polishing job on the water.

tankgirl · 12-06-2003, 09:34 AM

Hey, wooddood! Happy Birthday!!!

Thanks, everyone!!! Good info!

ScottT1980 · 12-06-2003, 10:33 AM

I have to take the wet foam because the dry stuff enver really makes it out of the skimmer, no matter how I tweak it.

One question that I know has been answered before but I will ask again, the water being removed from the skimmer is SW correct? I am assuming it is because skimmers really only work well with SW but I just thought I would ask to make sure. The wet foam, I think, is what caused my salinity to lower so much at one point.

Take er easy
Scott T.

mojoreef · 12-06-2003, 11:45 AM

Scott skimmers can take a bit of your sodium out of the water. So yes you are corect your salinity will take a bit of a hit.

Mike

tankgirl · 12-06-2003, 09:50 PM

Mike, if a skimmer takes sodium out of the water, what happens to the chloride?

mojoreef · 12-06-2003, 11:01 PM

sorry sodium chloride, lol man you folks are keeping me on my toes

Mike

Mebigloser · 12-06-2003, 11:10 PM

Dry, I perfer if very dry.....removes more junk...the waste should be dark tar like substance...not watery...

dgasmd · 12-07-2003, 11:48 AM

I actually do a combo of both. It is a bit of work, but I feel it works better for me. No data really to back it up.
I run my skimmer very dry. There is about 18" in the main chamber to dry up plus the riser tube. Everyday in the AM before I leave for work, I do a 10 sec cisual check of things. Then, I give the gate valve a big turn making the water in the chamber raise all the way to the top leaving the last 2" or so in the riser tube only. It flushes out all the super dry stuff. Then, after 20-30 sec there, I turn it back to where it will dry the hell out of it again.

12-05-2003, 10:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
tankgirl Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: So. Ca Posts: 1,476 View Gallery Karma Komment	Wet Foam vs. Dry Foam I've heard that different people like different kinds of foam production in their skimmers. I'd like to hear why some people prefer dry foam and some like wet foam!!! Thanks!!!

12-05-2003, 11:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
RanRoc Scopas Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central Florida: GO KNIGHTS!!! Posts: 443 View Gallery Karma Komment	I think that the more dry, the more unwanted stuff, and less of the valueable water is taken out. Therefore, I like the dry stuff, and set the collection cup on my AquaC Urchin a bit higher. -RY __________________ My Disclaimer for any Advice I Give: I Could Be Wrong... Randy's Rockin' Reef MANGROVE ROOT GANG

12-05-2003, 11:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
mojoreef Just a reefer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,176 View Gallery Karma Komment	For me its wet, really wet....the reson is to get as much as I can out, wetter also allows for larger particles to be removed. Mike __________________ Make sure you check out The Fish Gallery The Coral Gallery The Equipment Gallery

12-05-2003, 11:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
reefrunner Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Cedar Key, FL Posts: 1,069 View Gallery Karma Komment	A few years ago I read an article in Marine Fish and Reef USA annual by Richard Harker in which he stated that a lighter colored wetter skimmate actually had a higher percentage of waste than the dry foam. I tend to go for a wetter foam, basically for the same reason Mike does, to get as much out as possible __________________ Kevin Check out my gallery!

12-06-2003, 02:23 AM	#6 (permalink)
Dennis7 Ricordea Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 190 View Gallery Karma Komment	I vary mine, sometimes dry and sometimes wet. Wetter when I stir things up in the tank. __________________ Dennis 120 gal/tank, custom overflow in center, closed-loop on a Squid, custom sump,Reef Concepts skimmer, CA reactor, Refugium gravity feed into tank, Lighting: 2 - 250 watt MH's, 4- 55 watt PC's, and 110 watt VHO. 12 gal NanoCube, with 2-32 watt PC's and a 13 watt PC, in a custom hood.

12-06-2003, 07:24 AM	#7 (permalink)
jks1 Achilles Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Jacksonville, Fl Posts: 876 View Gallery Karma Komment	i try and find the happy medium, somewhere between having to empty the collection cup once a day or two __________________ John Tank: 29g glass Pumps: Mag5.0 return - (3) rio 100 PHs Lighting: (1) 150w XM 10K/(2) 30W actinics Equipment: Aqua C Urchin skimmer- CPR Fuge, Titanium Heater -Red Sea wavemaster Pro Tank: 210g 1/2" Acrylic, dual overflows, 75g glass sump w/ 20g fuge. Pumps: Mag24 return - (2) MAG24s running 2 closed loop systems. Lighting: (3) 400w XM 10K/(2) Custom Sealife 96w PC - 25w dimmable incandescent Moonlight Equipment: Aqua C EV180 skimmer - CR500 calc reactor - Titanium Heater - AquaLogic single Stage Temp Controller - Aquanetics 1/5Hp Chiller - Neptune sys aquacontroller

12-06-2003, 07:52 AM	#8 (permalink)
wooddood the wood dude Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: CARMEL. INDIANA Posts: 3,450 View Gallery Karma Komment	wet hear too,seems to do a better polishing job on the water. __________________ 120 gal/in wall tank/starboard substraight/2 250 watt 10k xm metal halides/ 4 55watt 03 actinics/150lbs lr/scwd on return/scwd on a closed loop/aquaclear aquatics 200 pro wetdry w/skimmer. ask all the questions you have if we cant answer it we'll make up some thing. remember patience is the key to a kick ass reef. dave.

12-06-2003, 09:34 AM	#9 (permalink)
tankgirl Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: So. Ca Posts: 1,476 View Gallery Karma Komment	Hey, wooddood! Happy Birthday!!! Thanks, everyone!!! Good info!

12-06-2003, 10:33 AM	#10 (permalink)
ScottT1980 Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 1,484 View Gallery Karma Komment	I have to take the wet foam because the dry stuff enver really makes it out of the skimmer, no matter how I tweak it. One question that I know has been answered before but I will ask again, the water being removed from the skimmer is SW correct? I am assuming it is because skimmers really only work well with SW but I just thought I would ask to make sure. The wet foam, I think, is what caused my salinity to lower so much at one point. Take er easy Scott T. __________________ My Tank

12-06-2003, 11:45 AM	#11 (permalink)
mojoreef Just a reefer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,176 View Gallery Karma Komment	Scott skimmers can take a bit of your sodium out of the water. So yes you are corect your salinity will take a bit of a hit. Mike __________________ Make sure you check out The Fish Gallery The Coral Gallery The Equipment Gallery

12-06-2003, 09:50 PM	#12 (permalink)
tankgirl Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: So. Ca Posts: 1,476 View Gallery Karma Komment	Mike, if a skimmer takes sodium out of the water, what happens to the chloride?

12-06-2003, 11:01 PM	#13 (permalink)
mojoreef Just a reefer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 1,176 View Gallery Karma Komment	sorry sodium chloride, lol man you folks are keeping me on my toes Mike __________________ Make sure you check out The Fish Gallery The Coral Gallery The Equipment Gallery

12-07-2003, 11:48 AM	#15 (permalink)
dgasmd Scopas Tang Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Royal Palm Beach, FL Posts: 466 View Gallery Karma Komment	I actually do a combo of both. It is a bit of work, but I feel it works better for me. No data really to back it up. I run my skimmer very dry. There is about 18" in the main chamber to dry up plus the riser tube. Everyday in the AM before I leave for work, I do a 10 sec cisual check of things. Then, I give the gate valve a big turn making the water in the chamber raise all the way to the top leaving the last 2" or so in the riser tube only. It flushes out all the super dry stuff. Then, after 20-30 sec there, I turn it back to where it will dry the hell out of it again. __________________ Water is what keeps a ship floating, but it is also what sinks it.

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