Air inlet tube spitting out water on powerhead

I am trying to setup a protein skimmer given to me and don't have any instructions. The power head has the air inlet tube with the adjustment on the end. I hooked it up like the pictures that I have seen online but the air inlet tube it spitting out water. I can hook up an aerator to it and it will push air in, but without that water comes out. What am I doing wrong?

 

What kind of PH and skimmer? The airline to the nozzle ontop of the PH should never spit out water, its an intake. Sometimes theres a plastic piece that can fit into the hole if you were useing no air tube in it, sure thats removed? Cleaned the PH out good before useing? No blockage anywhere? Didnt reverese your plug when plugging it in?

 

Is it a Hang on or in-sump model/type skimmer what pump is on it ? see a name on the pump or skimmer anywere ?

 

It's a Rio 1100 powerhead a seaclone 100 skimmer, I know crappy skimmer but was free so thought I would try it out. I took the plug out and attached to black tube with the screw adjustment on the end. Plugged the PH in and PH shot water into the skimmer and out the tube. Then tried forcing air into it and that worked but don’t believe I should have to do that. Don't believe there are any blockages b/c air will flow through when forced but won't do it on its own.

Rob

 

Pump is far to large a Rio 1100 all it takes is a maxi Jet 600 or 900 I think the 100 uses ? I rio 800 is what you'd need not the air mixing impeller one just the straight one. Sounds like you are forcing in more water then the little feed tube handle creating a back pressure .. I have a couple in the garage I could look But I no a RIO 1100 is way to much do have the air inlet fitting on and in the correct place ?

 

yep it takes the maxijet 900, buddy gave me the same skimmer, it sits in my basement and the PH is in my tank, should be able to get one for about 34 bucks, get the 900 not the 600 though. Mine as well get some new seals to while your at it if it doesnt sit in a sump. You can pick them up at any hardware store, just gotta match them up. Trust me, the thing will leak around those seals, so its good to have extra on hand.

 

The skimmer didn't come with a pump so had the rio laying around and thought i'd try it. The SC100 comes with the maxijet 1200 which puskes 295 GPH and the rio1100 pushes 300 GPH so thought it might work, but makes sense about the back pressure.

 

Well Try a 12 ? I have a one here that a guy had a friend of amcarrigs was doing the very same thing it came with a M/J 12 last yr or so . I told him I thought all i had ever seen came with a 900 . I put a old Rio 800 had here on it and it worked like a charm . he ran if until I gave him a better skimmer. A RIO 1100 is a lot more water then a Maxi 1200 .. you really can't go by the GPH info. the pressure difference is larger . A RIO 1100 is upward 350 I think it is ? But I know its to much pump or you would not be having this problem . I myself would drop to a 900. or the RIO 800