How do I get the most from my skimmer?

[quality_reefer]

Hi everyone, I just bought my first skimmer and I've had it running for a little over 24 hours. All I have noticed it doing is just bringing water into the waste cup. The water is a bit discolored so I think it's doing something but it's nothing near what I've seen pictures to be. The directions told me to turn the dial down if it's too watery but then I don't see anything being collected within the cup. I guess I just can't find that happy medium.

Any tips out there? I also read that it takes about a week to break in the skimmer before it starts to really collect gunk.

 

[Washburn82]

Not a pro at this by any means, but i found with mine the lower the water level going into the cup produced a drier skim. The bubbles in the nozzle of the cup will build up with time and overflow, giving you that oh sweet smelling gunk. Less watery as well.

 

[Bifferwine]

You are right. It usually takes a new skimmer a week or two to "break in". During that time, it will appear to just collect water. I'd turn it down so it doesn't fill the cup, let it run for a week, then adjust it. If you are using a tap water conditioner additive, that can also cause skimmers to pull water.

 

[quality_reefer]

Ahh ok, great advice! I'll turn it down and give it some time.