Aqua Medic Eco Runner 3700 Mode D'emploi page 22

5.2. Theory
Protein skimming is a method of physical water treatment. It uses a phenomenon known from our
daily experience: the adhesion of surface active substances to air water layers. If we add a drop of
oil to a water surface, a thin film is produced with a thickness of only one molecule. Surface active
compounds like proteins behave in the same way. The Turboflotor Blue 3000 uses its air bubbles to
create a large water surface for the waste substances to attach themselves to. These air bubbles
are forced into the reactor-pipe in a such a way that they undergo a long contact time within the
counter-current. Enriched with organic substances, they rise to the top and form a firm foam that
is dehydrated and pushed into the collection cup. This method removes organic wastes from the
aquarium water before they become part of the biological waste treatment cycle.
The Turboflotor Blue 3000 venturi pump draws the water out of the filter chamber directly, mixes it
in the pump housing with air which is then cut into small air bubbles by the Aqua Medic needle
wheel. This water/air mixture is pumped into the reaction pipe where the organic substances are
taken up by air bubbles. Foam is formed and pushed into the foam cup. The purified water leaves
the skimmer via the outlet (Fig. 7, No. 12) and is directed by gravity back to the biofilter.
5.3. Starting/Performance
The system can be started when the Turboflotor is correctly installed. After switching the pump on,
air is automatically drawn into the skimmer. To minimize the noise level, connect the air inlet tube
with the blue connecting piece of the silencer supplied. Fix the silencer with the holding device on
the aquarium or the filter system.
The needle wheel breaks the air into small bubbles. This method eliminates the greater proportion
of the noise. After the initial start, some hours may pass before the first foam is pushed into the
collection cup. This is due to a reaction between the surface of the acrylic glass and aquarium
water. Equilibrium of electrical charges takes place. After a maximum of 24 hours, the foam should
be pushed evenly into the collection cup. The quantity of liquid and organic substances is
dependent on the pollution of the aquarium.
Reduction: When restarting an aquarium, an increased foam production is possible. The
foam cup flows over. In this case, the suction pipe of the pump can be reduced. There
are 2 different sizes of this pipe included. The larger pipe is for normal operation, the
smaller one has to be used for increased foam production.
5.4. Problems
Adjustment: The skimmer is adjusted using the flow control tap (5) so it works to the optimum.
This adjusts the water level in the reaction chamber. If the foam is too wet, even when the flow
control tap is fully open, the neck extension (9) can be mounted to adjust the foam production.
Air bubbles: Reduce the length of the hose between pump and skimmer. The pump should be
placed close to the surface otherwise more air and less water will be sucked in because of the
increasing water pressure. Result: Many air bubbles are leaving the skimmer, wet foam will fill the
foam cup in a very short time.
If the skimmer is added to an existing aquarium, there may be a high concentration of organic
substances already dissolved in the water. This results in very tiny bubbles in the skimmer. These
tiny bubbles remove the organic substances effectively, however, it may be that some of these
bubbles are drawn back into the aquarium. After a few days, the concentration of organic
substances will have decreased to such low levels that this effect will have gone and the water flow
is free of air bubbles.
Some types of frozen food may have the same effects. It is best to thaw and wash the food prior to
feeding it to the fish. The air bubbles will stop after a short period by themselves.
Wet foam: With freshly prepared sea water, after using water conditioners or at extremely high
loading, excessive wet foam may be produced. This wet foam is forced into the cup, requiring more
frequent emptying than normal. After approx. one day, the aquarium load will be normal and the
skimmer will produce the correct foam.
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