Thoughts on skimmer exhaust.

[mhayes462]

What's everyone's thoughts on where the skimmer should dump clean water in a three chamber sump? I have the skimmer in the first chamber and use to have the exhaust in the same chamber. It wasn't producing a lot of skimmate, so I figured the cleaner water mixing with the dirty water was diluting it a bit and defeating the purpose. So I move the exhaust over to the second chamber. Does it even matter? I have a Vertex IN-80.
Mike Hayes

 

[snakeblitz33]

Skimmers are not 100% efficient, so no matter where you place it, it should be able to get the necessary dissolved organics and proteins in order to function properly.
I think you may find that it is your skimmer - it needs to be cleaned, or taken care of and adjusted differently if you are not satisfied with the skimmate production. Also, consider that the skimmer may be too far overrated for your tank or it may not be producing a lot of skimmate because you put your hands in the tank often or feed oily foods too often.
Anyways, just throwing out some ideas.