Skimmer Help Please

yannifish

yannifish

Active Member
Hello, everyone.
I have had a Reef Octopus 4 in sump skimmer, and I have a few questions about it. I have had it for around three months now.
I can either set it so it skims very watery, yellow skimmate, or so thick brown gunk forms around the inside of the neck, just below the top of the reaction chamber.
So, my question is, how do I get it so skim that thick, dark brown skimmate, but get it into the collection cup?
I don't have a very heavy bioload (just two clownfish), so is it possible there just isn't much for the skimmer to skim?
By the way, I have a 55 gallon tank.
 
2quills

2quills

Well-Known Member
Sounds like you may have to raise the skimmer up a little bit. What is the water depth that it is sitting in right now?
 
yannifish

yannifish

Active Member
It is in six inches of water.
The manufacturer doesn't specify the water level, just saying the pump need to be covered, the output needs to be above the water level.
Also, reviews I've read indicate that as long as the water level is in the range, it will work very well.
 
yannifish

yannifish

Active Member
Watched the video, and I have the skimmer pushing the water way higher into the collection cup than the bottom edge. Could this possibly be my problem?
 
yannifish

yannifish

Active Member
Well after making a major adjustment to the water level in the skimmer, adjusting it so the bubbles pop at the bottom of the collection cup, instead of at the top, it's skimming dry, white foam, with solid, dark chunks in it. So hopefully I'm good to go now.
 
yannifish

yannifish

Active Member
I had the water level way to high. The bubbles were popping right at the top of the collection cup, giving me super watery, yellowish skimmate.
I moved the water level way down, so now I'm getting foam.
So I'm much happier.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top