39
User Manual
If this occurs, you should do the following:
1. Test the ammonia level and pH.
2. Change up to 50% of the water volume.
3. Look for dead animals.
4. Replace any carbon filter in use for more than two months.
Yellow water: This usually indicates that the carbon needs
replacing. The yellow color results from the buildup of humic
acids from decomposed algae and other substances.
Green water: This indicates an algae outbreak; it rarely occurs
in marine aquaria.
Milky water from air bubbles: See the Technical section in
Troubleshooting, chapter 7, for more information on micro-
bubbles.
Circulation
Maintain adequate water circulation by checking that both
circulation pumps are working well and are pointed in the right
directions. If you notice any regression in currents, check the inlet
pipes at the bottom of each pump and the outlet nozzles for any
obstructions (snails, crabs, carbon chips, etc.). To do so, follow
this procedure:
1. Turn the pumps off at the power center.
2. Lift the hood and secure the supports.
3. Remove the cable channel cover.
4. Remove the outlet nozzles from the pumps and examine
each one for blockage.
5. Remove the pumps from the filter chamber.
6. Examine the inlet pipes and the impeller chamber.
7. Return the pumps to their original positions and secure the
nozzles in place.
8. Turn the pumps on at the power center.
Protein skimmer functioning
Check the foam production in the collection cup and adjust the
height of the foam adjuster and the air flow valve as required
to get stable dry foam. As a general rule, opening the air flow
valve produces more bubbles; closing it produces less bubbles.
Opening the air valve all the way may cause the skimmer to
over-skim, producing a lot of watery foam.
See the Technical section in Troubleshooting, chapter 7, for more
information on skimmer adjustment and fine tuning.
Proper skimmer functioning should be among your chief reef
care concerns. Therefore, get into the habit of emptying the
collection cup daily. The skimmer chamber should have a constant
movement of air bubbles throughout. If the water in the chamber
becomes clear and the skimmed material production decreases
over time (i.e. more than a week with regular feeding), first
check the setting of the foam adjuster and the air valve flow and