Wet or dry skimmate?

[DerekL]

I bought a JNS cone skimmer about a month and a half ago and I can't seem to dial it in to get a dryer skimmate as I did with my ASM skimmer. It's not like pure water it is I would kinda say a wet sludge like skimmate it stinks just as bad. I am just curious if it matters if you skim dry or wet? My water clairity has really improved my nitrates and phosphates are low not zero yet but I have been  watching my nitrates drop so I think my bio pellets are starting to do there job.

 

[KBennett]

Did you try lifting the skimmer out of the water more?  An eggcrate box works well.

 

[Boga]

I think, overall, "wet" removes more nutrients from the water column compared to "dry", but you loose more water and needs to be topped. Salinity may drop little bit if you add RODI water only.

I keep my skimmer on the wet side. I drain daily 1-2" of skimmate tea. Also easier to clean up the cup.

+1 to what KBennett said about the water level.

 

[DerekL]

Yes I did try different water depths. I am running it right in the middle of the recommended water depths right now and gives me the best results. I also have an ATO so as for water levels I am ok there.