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Installation and Operation Manual
For Red Sea's
Prizm Pro Skimmer
1. Introduction to Protein Skimming
Protein skimming removes suspended or dissolved organic materials from the
aquarium water by a mechanical process called foam fractionation. These
materials consist of protein fragments and other waste, produced by the living
organisms in the marine aquarium. Since these are potentially harmful to the
aquarium inhabitants, rapid removal is essential.
The waste products are surface-active substances (surfactants), which assemble
at air/water surfaces in a one molecule thick layer. Inside a good Protein
Skimmer a very large air-water contact area is created by blowing numerous
fine air bubbles into the seawater. Protein molecules and other organic matter
assemble on the surface of these bubbles. As the protein covered bubbles rise
to the water surface of the Skimmer, a protein-rich foam is formed, which is
pushed into the collection cup, by the constantly administered air.
The great advantage of Protein skimming lies in the fact that as waste material
is removed, it is separated from the water flow. In contrast, the particulate
matter collected in a mechanical filter, stays in contact with the water flow
and if not removed breaks down, increasing the organic loading of the aquarium.
2. The Prizm Principle of Operation
The Prizm Pro Skimmer consists of
4 basic components; Main Body,
Collection Cup, Inlet Pipe and Pump.
It is designed to either hang-on the
aquarium or to be installed next to
or inside a sump.
The Prizm Pro
combines an efficient 18 blade
Turbo air/water injector together
with Red Sea's Patented
convergent-divergent flow technology
Reaction Chamber. Water and air are
sucked into the skimmer through the
Inlet Pipe by the 18 blade air/water
mixer, which has been designed to
generate the optimum ratio between
the water/air flow rates, producing a
constant stream of superfine air
bubbles in a homogenous air/water
mixture.
The unique reaction chamber is divided
into 2 compartments consisting of a
Due to various aquarium conditions the above setting may produce a wet instead
of dry foam causing "Over skimming", wasting a lot of seawater.
The performance of skimmers are affected by changes in the aquarium water
chemistry, which occurs regularly due to feeding, addition of supplements,
changes in salinity due to evaporation, changes in the bio-load and general tank
maintenance.
Monitor the performance of the Prizm, making small adjustments to the flow as
necessary. During approximately the first three days after installation, the Prizm
may remove a lot of relatively light colored waste. As the Prizm cleans up your
tank, less, but more concentrated material will be skimmed off. The daily amount
removed will generally stabilize and the ideal flow setting for your aquarium will
be established.
9. Maintenance
To ensure a high skimming efficiency the following maintenance should be carried
out on a regular basis:
The collection cup, especially the part through which the foam rises should be
cleaned, since settling organic matter prevents new foam from rising into the
cup. Before removing the Collection Cup reduce the flow to minimum or switch
off the pump. In conjunction with cleaning the Collection Cup, wipe the Throat
of the Reaction Chamber with a tissue to remove settled organic matter.
Cleaning Inlet Pipe:
Disassemble the Inlet Pipe by removing the Air Tube and Flow Regulator as
described below and clean thoroughly with a bottle brush.
To Disassemble:
a. To remove the Flow Regulator rotate and pull the Regulator out of
the Inlet Pipe.
b. To remove the Air Tube, first disconnect the Air Tube from the Air
Injector nozzle, thereafter remove the Air Tube connector (with Air Tube
attached) by rotating and pulling the connector out of the Inlet Pipe.
To assemble:
a. Insert the Regulator into the Inlet Pipe by rotating and pushing inward.
After inserting check that the o-ring is seated correctly i.e. in a straight
line and in contact with the Inlet Pipe.
b. To replace the Air Tube; attach it to the underside of the Connector,
thread the Air Tube into the Inlet Pipe, push and rotate the connector
into position within its housing. After inserting check that the o-ring
is seated correctly i.e. in a straight line and in contact with the Inlet
Pipe. Connect the Air Tube to the Injector Nozzle.
All other parts of the Prizm should be cleaned periodically to remove
settled organic matter that will decompose and pollute the aquarium,
this will also prevent clogging and a loss of water pressure.
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