Overskimming on New Protein Skimmer

[SFMAquariums]

I just got my first ever saltwater mixed reef tank filled & am beginning the cycle process. Despite multiple setbacks, I finally seem to have everything flowing through the tank/sump as I think it should?

I just started running my protein skimmer this morning (Red Sea DC 600) & it’s producing a ton of watery liquid & the collection cup is filling quite quickly. It sounds like this is a common problem when running a new skimmer/new tank & they recommended turning off the self-leveling feature (which I’ve done).

My main question is regarding the liquid produced in the collection cup. I am having to empty it very frequently. Initially I was emptying it into a bucket but then I was having issues with maintaining water levels in my system. I then read something on the Red Sea website about just draining this water back into the sump, which I am now currently doing… but something about this feels wrong since shouldn’t I want to be getting rid of whatever it is skimming, even if it’s over producing?

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

Edit: Also, had 3 other smaller questions:
1) A very small amount of sand got in my sump during the tank fill. Issue or not?
2) There seems to be a small amount of bubbling inside my ReefMatt system but it otherwise seems to be functioning fine. Not sure if this is normal or something to be concerned about?
3) It looks like I kinda messed up my sump baffles & the refugium section has water going about 1 cm over the top of the last baffle. Will this allow things to escape from it & mess with the equipment that comes after?

Any help would be awesome! Thanks!

 

[kharmaguru]

I would just run the skimmer with the adjustment valve wide open ( water as low as it will go in the skimmer body) in a brand new system. It will primarily be an oxygenator at this stage and if there's anything to skim, it will still make real foam and not just bubbles when needed even at the low water setting. If you are constantly removing watery cups of skimmate and then your system is topping off with fresh water, your salinity will be dropping which is not what you want.

 

[wvned]

to lazy to type

The break-in period for a new protein skimmer typically lasts 1 to 2 weeks, though some sources note it can range from a few days to up to 4 weeks. During this time, the skimmer may produce watery foam, microbubbles, inconsistent bubbles, or overflow due to residual manufacturing oils and the establishment of a stabilizing biofilm inside the skimmer body.

This is normal for a short period. Let it run and don't bother trying to stop it. Just let it drain back into the sump.