Need help with skimmer adjustments

So I have had this reef octopus 1000int for a few months now, and it has been nothing but trouble. I cannot get this thing dialed in. It is in about 6.5 inches of water atm, and it creates a ton of foam, however, the bubbles are always so big that they pop themselves at the neck.

Basically what happens is this. I adjust it really low, it creates 0 foam. I up it half a turn, and it starts to foam but the bubbles are pretty large, it can only push up the neck about an inch or two. Up it a bit higher, and they flood the cup. Drop it back down a little and the foam gets right up to the tip of the cup, but huge bubbles end up popping the skimmate, thus you collect basically nothing.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks

 

Check with the manufacturer on the recommended water height.

 

"Water level in sump should be 6”-10” as long as it is not covering the water outlet"
http://www.aquacave.com/Manuals/CORALVUE-SRO1000I-instruction-manual.pdf

 

I would check the depth as 2in10 has said. And have you had a look at the impeller? Wondering if it may have something caught in it or maybe its damaged? I'd check the water depth first though.

 

Have you tried raising the water level to see if it helps? You'd be surprised how much of a difference even 1/2 inch can make.

 

I have not looked at the impeller, I will go look at that now.

Making it deeper in the water? It seems most people online were saying you need even less water to make it foam finer, however any lower and the pump cannot be submerged. Maybe I am totally wrong, I just wanted to verify that is what you are saying before I rebuild my stand for it. LOL

Thanks!

 

I would see if having it any deeper helps, I wouldn't rebuild a stand just yet until we see if it works. maybe you can use some tupperware or something temporarily until you can determine the best hieght. If you have any light diffuser (egg crate) you could cut squares the size of the skimmer base and that would allow you to move the skimmer up and down a half inch at a time.

 

Okay, so verified the impeller is clean and in good shape. Pump runs flawlessly. No obstructions or kinks in the air line in.

 

Cool, thanks. Ill try something to get it at various depths. I am assuming I can tell pretty fast what the bubble size will be like? Irregardless of if the "tuning" of the skimmer is going on?

 

Dropped it down to 7 inches, well see what happens. Thanks for the prompt response all.