Alpha 170 acting up

[Reefobsession]

It's only been a day since it has been running but it has been acting like no skimmer before. It will be acting normal creating a normal foam head. The only thing wierd is that the valve is almost all the way closed. Then all of the sudden it will freak out like no other. Overflowing sometimes, sometimes not. It is like I threw a buch of epoxy in the tank. Is this a normal break in? The only thing I can contribute it to is that I am dosing vodka. Maybe I should stop. Sump level is at 8.5" and the venturi is 3 to 4 turns out.
Here are some pics of it acting up last night. It is doing the same thing this morning. Could it be that there is no more protein to skim? This picture looks almost identical to what it looks like this morning but the valve is almost all the way closed, and the water level is at the grey collar.

Neck

collection cup

 

[gkimble]

You know what, I talked to Jeremy and I just need to be patient is all. I really should just set it and not mess with it for a couple of weeks. Can't help myself, I just get so excited. haha

 

[Jeremy B.]

Be patient, the skimmer has only been running for 24hrs. Make sure you're at 8.5" - 9.5" sump depth, 2-4 turns out on the white nozzle, and the water level inside the skimmer set between the collar and the bottom of the collection cup. Also make sure your sump compartment where the skimmer is does not fluctuate. Leave it like this for the first 3-5 days and let the skimmer work to break in. Make small adjustments infrequently with the wedge pipe as well.

 

[Reefobsession]

Thanks Jeremy, and thanks gkimble, thst is good advice. I will do the same.