Am I Doing Something Wrong???

Hi Guys,

I am hoping that someone can offer a little help here on the forum. I am running at my wits end over my protein skimmer. I originally bought a AquaMedic Turbo Flotor Multi 1000 and had it hanging on my sump. The collection cup kept running over so I let it sit in my sump for a week to get it broken it. It never stopped over flowing, so I contacted AquaMedic and they were very quick and nice. The problem was that we could never get it to stop. I decided to try a different skimmer and have had a little better experience but it is still finicky. I bought the Marineland Pro 300 in sump protein skimmer. The footprint was right to fit in my sump with little extra work. The skimmer works fine but I am always having to adjust it. Also, I add top off water about every other day and when I do the added water makes the cup fill up. It is very sensitive to the amount of water that it is sitting in. My tank is still new (no fish) so I may be shooting myself in the foot. If I am, please let me know. Is there something else that I can do to make it work better? This is the first aquarium I have used a protein skimmer on and things aren't looking good Thanks in advance for any insight or help.

Regards,
Ivy

 

I am not a protein skimmer expert either.. someone will definately help you.

Couple questions.. is it overflowing with water or bubbly gunk?
I am assuming water since you dont have fish and shouldnt have too much waste to skim as of yet. Sounds like just needs fine tuned.

Are you cycling your tank right now? if so.. probably dont want to run the skimmer

 

Thanks for the quick reply. The stuff that over flows is very fine clear bubbles that turn to water when the hit the bottom of the cup. My tank has just finished cycling and I am waiting an extra couple of weeks before I add any fish. Thanks!!!!

 

Well sounds like you are on your way.. just sounds like it is a little wet skimming.
How quickly does it overflow? Like a day... or?
Someone with this skimmer will have to help you.. sounds just like an adjustment.. nothing major.

 

It just seems like it is very sensitive and I have to adjust it daily. It seems as the water evaporates out I have to adjust it so more water is in the skimmer. When I add the top off, it starts to over flow and I have to adjust it back down. I am just wondering if there is a happy medium. Also, where should the top of the bubbles be? At the top of the skimmer body or within the cup spout? Thanks!!!