Is my skimmer working properly?

[kevvin27]

I've had my tank set up for 4 or 5 months now and I'm using an Aquatic Life internal mini skimmer 115. I always see these skimmer cups filled with thick black or dark brown skimmet inside but I have never had that in mine. The worst it gets is a somewhat dark yellowish brown colour and it also never smells like I've heard people describe how it should. I've tried adjusting it but it doesn't really change anything except for how long it takes to fill it up. Is it really supposed to be taking in the black smelly crap I always see?

 

[reeffreak]

Here's my personal take on nano(especially internal) protein skimmers.They just don't work very well.They best you can do is to make sure they pull water from the surface,not near the surface but from the surface.That is where the water is the most dirtiest.I say,if the water in the cllection cup is dark(not able to see though the liquid),regardless if it smells bad then it has to be working somewhat.