a dumb skimmer question

[princess8077]

I know this is a stupid thing to ask.....I have a reason for asking....I really do.
Unless the skimmer is perfectly level, it causes this huge gurgling (an explosive type) every 5 mins or so from the bubble trap that leads into the trickle tray over the bio balls.
So what is the purpose of the skimmer anyway? skims the top water off of nasties?
Is it suppose to flow into the box on the inside of the tank smoothly and then create bubbles that flow thru the U-tube or should it be smooth sailing all the way thru?

 

[scsinet]

I don't really understand most of your question.. but to answer what I do understand...
A skimmer's purpose is to take advantage of organic waste's tendency to cling to the surface tension of saltwater by creating bubbles to skim the wastes out of the water. It is the primary mechanical filter in a saltwater system.
Most skimmers have to be level to operate properly.

 

[srfisher17]

Also, IMO, most skimmers need some fine tuning, and a few days, before they start pulling gunk out. Everything you see in the skimmer's waste cup is gunk that your good bacteria don't have to handle for you.

 

[florida joe]

can you post a pic of your skimmer and the return lines to your sump

 

[princess8077]

I'll try to take pics Monday...but I'm talking about the skimmer that hangs inside your tank, that water flows into, gets siphoned up a U-tube and into another chamber...then gravity pulls the water downward thru a long tube and into the wet/dry system I have....
Thats the skimmer that hangs inside your tank..right?
My question has to do with that - should the water flow into that part that has one side of the U-tube ...OOOPS!! Now I realize maybe I'm suppose to be talking abut the OVERFLOW BOX with prefilter sponge!!!
Sorry!
Let me rephrase my question -
The water into the over flow box....bubbles or no bubbles?
Smooth entry all the way down the tube into my wet/dry?
Here's the Pro 150 wet/dry I have http://www.proclearaquatics.com/pro_wetdry.htm
fig1 if you click on it...that's the part I'm talkng about
then figure 2 shows the 2 90degree angles, to the bubble trap - the bubble trap is was gives this explosive gurgle about every 5 mins or so.

 

[scsinet]

Ahhh an overflow box... also called a Continous Siphon Overflow, CSO, or HOB Overflow.
Bubbles are okay, and bubbles where it enters your sump are normal and expected. Water should not completely fill the drain pipe at all... there needs to be some air in the line for gravity to drain the water properly.
And they need to be perfectly level both side to side and front to back to work properly.