Need serious help with my skimmer plz

[furball504]

I got a PM skimmer RL series rated 150-200 G in a rubber maid container below my 90 G tank. From day one I have to dial it in every single day. THe water line inside the skimmer always drop below where I wanted it to be. It used to be in the sump with a baffle but that too didn't help. I hate having to mess with it on a daily basis. Someone plz helpppp

 

[reeftivo]

How long has the skimmer been running?

Is the water level in the skimmer chamber constant?

Do you have an ATO (auto top off)?

If you have a constant level I would suggest running the skimmer wide open (output & air) and do not touch it for a couple days (no fiddling).

With a constant water level and "no fiddling", it should start to build a consistent foam head in the body of the skimmer. If/when it does you should then slowly adjust the skimmer in increments to raise the water level in the body. Each time I adjust only once, then monitor it for an hour before I adjust again. Remember, skimmers are hyper sensitive to any adjustments that affect the slime coat developing in the body of the skimmer. So each time you adjust a skimmer, it will take time before the adjustment can truly be confirmed as effective or ineffective.

Tivo

 

[furball504]

The water inside the skimmer stay constant, it's just go down overnite or in a few hours time. I dont have an ATO. Does the water level in my sump has to be steady too?

 

[HV1990]

The water inside the skimmer stay constant, it's just go down overnite or in a few hours time. I dont have an ATO. Does the water level in my sump has to be steady too?

Yes it does for in sump skimmers. Otherwise your changing the water level in your skimmer when you lose water due to evap.

 

[reeftivo]

+1

You must have a steady sump level for an in-sump skimmer to function properly.

If there is not a fixed baffle and you have to rely on an ATO then 1/4 inch or less of evap before the ATO kicks in is preferable.

If there are fluctuations in water level then the head pressure on the skimmer pump will always be changing and the skimmer will not perform well.

Invest in an ATO and your skimmer will thank you!

Tivo

 

[furball504]

it's odd because I previously put the skimmer in the fuge with a fixed baffle. Same old problem with the water level inside the skimmer. I hate having to tweak it everyday

 

[wildman926]

it's odd because I previously put the skimmer in the fuge with a fixed baffle. Same old problem with the water level inside the skimmer. I hate having to tweak it everyday

Whatever space you place the skimmer in, it has to have a stable, constant water level. Or else you will have to adjust it as your water level changes.