Protein skimmer tuning question

[Lilbitreefer]

So I have had this new skimmer up and running for 11 days now. I understand It can take up to two weeks to break in. I have never used one before and this is all a learning experience. I have trying tuning it so many times that either it over flows or skim mate collects on the inside of the column and does not make it into the cup. I have gotten it to work only a handful of time before it goes crazy. I am getting tea colored skim mate. which I know is good but it only last for a little while. I am also having a problem with my socks clogging to easily which may be part of the problem. Any tips or trips would help.

 

[BrokenSpoke]

Best place to look is in the manual that came with it. Most skimmers are designed to sit in a certain water level. If that level is to high, or too shallow, tuning the skimmer can be a *****. My skimmer, for example, is designed to sit in 7" of water.

 

[Lilbitreefer]

It is at the proper height 7.5". The manual is not really that great.

 

[BrokenSpoke]

Who makes the skimmer and what model is it?

 

[Lilbitreefer]

vertex 180I

 

[thegrun]

It's possible that there is so much protein in the water that it will run crazy for awhile. I would try turning off your ato and let the skimmer run crazy for a couple of hours, replacing the used water with new saltwater. After a couple of hours you may be able to fine tune it. As posted above be sure the skimmer is in the correct water depth. You should post the skimmers make and model, others who have the same skimmer may be able to help

 

[Lilbitreefer]

I am not sure the skimmer tank is the same age as the skimmer

 

[BrokenSpoke]

Found this thread that might help:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2481852

This guy posted a video on setting up his Vertex 180I and a second follow up video:

Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5JGyr5TzP0
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gH8yrURaUtI

 

[Brisk]

break in with vinegar and water

 

[Lilbitreefer]

I am using the reef pro mature kit and don't want to mess up the cycle. Everything seems to be going awesome...except the skimmer.
Does anyone have any experiences on how their first skimmer reacted and maybe what phases go through.

 

[Lilbitreefer]

Next tuning question

Next tuning question

Ok came home found the skimmer working beautifully 1/4" of dark tea colored skim in the cup. Changed the filter sock out and my awesome foam head disappeared. I panicked and adjust the air intake only to get micro bubbles....Did I just screw my self over should I have let it be? Any thoughts?

 

[PatW]

Skimmers can get goofy about changes. If I turn off my skimmer for say 20 minutes, it has a tendency to over flow on restart. So I have to adjust the skimmate down. Then it settles down and I have to readjust it to the original level. Yours might be doing something similar. It is a good chance that it will settle down.

 

[thegrun]

The skimmate level will change for maybe 15 minutes after you change your filter sock, then it should end up at the original setting