Bak Pak Skimmer Problems

Just bought a Bak pak skimmer a couple days ago and it is my first skimmer. The tank is fairly new being set up a couple weeks however the water and live rock came out of a well established tank. I am not getting hardly any skimate only about a 1/2 inch a day and it is wet just like colored water. Is there anything I can do to improve this set up? Also there was no o ring on the collection cup so it is sitting down on top of the input tube so it is pretty deep in the water. Any suggestions?
Thanks Justin

 

The usually need to "break in" before the really start working. Give it a couple of weeks then re adjust the cup. Also the bakpaks are sensitive to stuff you put in the tank. Stuff like water conditioners increase the surface tension of water, which will cause micro bubbles. As for the O-ring it should have one, if the cup sits to low you'll get a lot of water in the cup.

 

From what I have heard, they pretty much wont ever work properly without doing the skimmer box, bubble trap, and maxi-jet mods. So you might want to look in to those. Also, skimmers need a little bit to break in. How long has it been running?
Or you can do the best mod, and replace it with an Octopus

 

It has only been running for about a day and a half probably.

 

Tell everyone what type of skimmer it is. If its a floating type of cup (slides up and down) than yes you need a seal to keep it in place. Most bakpaks that I have had dont work real great. I never could get a dry skim. What are your tank sizes and such?

 

Its on a 55 gallon I only bought it because I am in college and needed something to use for just a few weeks until I get enough money to buy a better one but was hoping it would work some. It is the slide up and down type collection cup.

 

If it's wet skimming, your going to need to raise the cup a little.

 

Im sure you can find a rubberband or something that will fit snug and be able to slide on it.