Home >> Science & Nature >> Animals & Science

How to Adjust a Rio Nano Skimmer

The Rio Nano skimmer works on aquariums up to 20 gallons, recycling the water more than five times an hour. Its adjustable-intake Venturi tubing enables fine tuning that allows you to set up sensitive environments such as a reef aquarium. Learning how to adjust the Nano skimmer takes a little practice to get the water flow and foaming you desire in the rear collection bin. Be patient; make small adjustments and return later to readjust.

Instructions

- 1
  Clean your Rio Nano skimmer before placing it on the side of your tank, to remove unwanted oils or dust from manufacturing.
- 2
  Turn the leveling knob on the back of the skimmer to optimize its effectiveness. Plug it in.
- 3
  Prime your skimmer, with the water level in your aquarium at about the bottom of the black base, by pressing and holding your finger on top of the Venturi tube, located on the top right of the intake tube. Water should fill the intake tube and begin to cascade from your skimmer at the bottom left outflow.
- 4
  Make slight adjustments to the skimmer flow by turning the knob at the top of the intake in small increments clockwise (about one-half inch every few hours).
- 5
  To reduce bubbling in the rear collection bin, pop out the plastic barrier at the outflow where the water begins cascading into the aquarium.
- 6
  Increase bubbling in the bin by slightly loosening the nut at the bottom of the Venturi tube and gently pulling up on the tube about one-quarter inch and waiting for at least an hour to gauge for changes. Continue to adjust the height of the Venturi tube until you get the foaming you desire. Tighten the Venturi tube nut when your foaming is optimal.

Animals & Science