Skimmer help!!!!!

[dndbenson]

Ok, I have had my skimmer for about 3 monnths, its an octopus needle wheel in sump skimmer not to sure of the exact nomenclature. This is my problem and has more than anything else in my system driven me crazy. I cannot for the life of me get this POS adjusted properly. If I raise the water output tube on it to where the skimmer is working good the second I put in food the thing goes friggen crazy pumping out tons of water. If I adjust it to when I feed it skims OK the I dont get a damn thing the rest of the day. I have tried to unplug it during feedings and for about two hours afterwords and as soon as I plug it back in whamo; overflow. I have adjusted the water level in my tank, regulated the air into the pump, adjusted the output tube. I have started getting cyno and I have to directly put some fault on my inability to skim. And if it does turn out that I need to skim a gallon a day and that is normal the comes the question of salinity levels in the tank during the week between water changes. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Dean

 

[RichConley]

Is the skimmer in a compartment that has a constant stable water level?

 

[jdieck]

Yes, changes in the water level on the input of the skimmer will afect the way it skims.
If the level is maintained constant then check that there is not back pressure created in the skimmer outlet (usually when it is under water).
Ife everything else fails then adjust it for feeding time. There is always the chance that there is little to skim until you feed.

 

[dndbenson]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8001397#post8001397 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RichConley
Is the skimmer in a compartment that has a constant stable water level?

Yes, I have auto top off that keeps my sump at a constant level, and I have adjusted this level in the sump to try to improve my results and nothing changes.

 

[steve the plumb]

I have the 350 model and I leave the exit pipe under water because I can't stand the splashing.My skimmer goes nuts aswell but I shut it off for 20 min when I feed frozen foods.I lower the water volume and then readjust it everytime I feed.It takes 2 minutes for thr skimmer to calm down.It is better to leave the exit pipe above the water level but its to much splashing.Your skimmer is still pretty new.Once its starts to get crude inside I found as time goes by the skimmer becomes adjusted to the system.I find mine goes more ballistic after water changes.It takes a longer time to adjust then I have to make more than one adjustment.Its not so bad If your around but if there is a power failure and the system restarts there might be a chance of overflow.I found the skimmer has gotten better with time.

 

[dndbenson]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8002777#post8002777 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by steve the plumb
I have the 350 model and I leave the exit pipe under water because I can't stand the splashing.My skimmer goes nuts aswell but I shut it off for 20 min when I feed frozen foods.I lower the water volume and then readjust it everytime I feed.It takes 2 minutes for thr skimmer to calm down.It is better to leave the exit pipe above the water level but its to much splashing.Your skimmer is still pretty new.Once its starts to get crude inside I found as time goes by the skimmer becomes adjusted to the system.I find mine goes more ballistic after water changes.It takes a longer time to adjust then I have to make more than one adjustment.Its not so bad If your around but if there is a power failure and the system restarts there might be a chance of overflow.I found the skimmer has gotten better with time.

Is this typical for most skimmers, if it is OK but I feed twice a day and to have to constantly mess with the skimmer after every feeding id driving me crazy. Do other really good skimmers need this much attention throughout the day.

 

[RichConley]

It all depends on what you feed too.

I could drop hikari mysis in all day, and the skimmer would just keep skimming fine. The second I drop some prime reef flake in there though, it just goes nuts.