Rio600 setup help

Okay, I got a free skimmer and it says in the paperwork either a rio600 or rio800 would come with it. Well I found a rio600 for $5. I can get bubbles from the rio in a tub of water with nothing connected to the output (output tube has little venturi opening) When I hook the pump to my skimmer however it wont suck air into the venturi and to keep water from coming out the air line (hooked to the venturi) I have to have the airline about 5 feet above the pump (have to hold it over my head) otherwise water comes out. It'll even pump water thru the venturi to my DT (from the sump) so something's off. I've played with the little valve but what gives me good bubbles not hooked to the skimmer gives me nothing and water spraying out the venturi. Is there an adjustment I can make or do I need the rejuvinating venturi add on?

 

Interesting issue. Can you post any pics?? How large is the skimmer, cause a Rio 600 sounds really small for a skimmer

 

Skimmer is an aquatic life support 22V, its got a 22" riser tube, 4" wide. air/water enters at the top of the riser in a way that makes it spin, water goes out the bottom into an acrylic box, goes up a pipe that is used to set the water level and then out. Rio600 pumps just shy of 200 gph. The manual says rio800 preferred, 600 optional (lowers the rated size to 125 gallon tank from 150) or a genx1000 needle pump for a 200 gallon tank.

 

Just a minute, I am doing some research

 

How deep in the water is your skimmer??

 

My sump water runs about 6 to 8 inches deep depending on where I am on my top off schedule. I was trying to get it running with the return pump off, I need to find one more outlet yet again... so the water was probably 12" deep at the time. Someone told me on my local reef club that the only way to make that pump work without the RVT kit is to hook an airpump to the ventri input... Then i hear "rios suck" and all that I'm just about done with the reef club....

 

I have heard that Rio Pumps suck too, but I have been running 3 of them in my tank with no issues. However, on the negative side, I researched that skimmer, and it sucks (No Offense) Before you spend any more money. Look at a Coralife, or something comparable. A Coralife 65 is around 85.00 on the internet. I run a Coralife 65 on my 150 with no issues. It pulls out more junk than alot of the big name brand skimmers. Don't listen to all the hoopla about buying these Beast skimmers. They only skim if there is something there to skim. Otherwise they idle. (just sit there and bubble when there is nothing there) Alot of people will debate me on this...but I have 0 nitrates and a very healthy tank. BTW the Coralife's come with a Rio!!;D

 

Where did you find info on this skimmer. I couldnt find any reviews whatsoever. Thanks in advance