Do you block the venturi when starting a protein skimmer?

[ClaptonsGhost]

My protein skimmer (Eshopps PSK-200) came with no instructions other than assembly, and there's NOTHING on the internet about it. Ridiculous. Anyway, it was operating fine until I did a(n unnecessary) water change. I shut off all filtration, then when I was done, flipped the power switch to turn everything back on. Since then the skimmer doesn't skim much, and the water level continuously varies, even to the point of being 3" below where I had set it earlier today. I saw a video for an older skimmer from 4 years ago where the guy says to block the air intake (the venturi?) while plugging in the skimmer. I just tried it and the water level is holding steady at just below the collection cup.

Anybody got any better advice? As I said I know this skimmer works great when it's tuned but I seem to be having a hell of a time re-tuning it since I turned it off and back on. Advice, please.

 

[RobP]

Is your protien skimmer inside your sump? Most protien skimmers have a perferred water depth that you should maintain in order for you protien skimmer to most it's best. Since you don't have a manual you won't know what that is. The bottom line to your question is no, you shouldn't need to plus the air intake when starting it up. The grey pipe on the opposite side of your air intake regulates the amount of water that is let out. Turn this to regulate the level of water inside the protien skimmer.