Am I missing a part from my skimmer?

[DD0513]

I am trying to get my skimmer to run consistently. It has been running for months now. I can get it where it will barely bubble at the top, but over the course of days hardly puts anything into the skim cup. But if I turn the adjustment knob just one eighth of a turn, I will come home to overflowing wet skim. So my question is, do I need something on the air inlet? See pic below. Could that be the real issue and not my setting on the knob? It is a Reef Octo 110 I believe, it is sitting in 7-8 inches of water which is what is recommended.

Thanks!

 

[exnisstech]

I have two RO skimmers purchased new and there is nothing that goes there. I can't help with tuning it but this'll get you a bump.

 

[BryanM]

"I believe" is subject to maybe it is possibly sitting in 6" of water, or 9". I would measure that to make sure its sitting in 7-8" of water as the instructions state.

This is the most missed thing when setting up skimmers.

I do see a little plastic cap in the instructions, I have no idea what its use is.

 

[JumboShrimp]

Is yours a recirculating skimmer? My Reef Octo is, and it's great because it makes water level pretty much a non-factor. But generally speaking, if I ever (rarely) have to adjust things, I do about a 1/16th of a turn or less at a time; then I see how things are looking after a couple of hours.

 

[Jamie814]

Does your sump water level where the skimmer sits stay consistent throughout the day?

Are you using an ATO? for example if your water level goes up by say 1/4" the foam head will go up a 1/4" as well and if you're running it right at the top this will cause it to overflow.

Some foods also can kill the foam head, and some can make it foam over. High fat foods like PE mysis can cause excessive foaming.

 

[PapaBeepBeep]

I am trying to get my skimmer to run consistently. It has been running for months now. I can get it where it will barely bubble at the top, but over the course of days hardly puts anything into the skim cup. But if I turn the adjustment knob just one eighth of a turn, I will come home to overflowing wet skim. So my question is, do I need something on the air inlet? See pic below. Could that be the real issue and not my setting on the knob? It is a Reef Octo 110 I believe, it is sitting in 7-8 inches of water which is what is recommended.

Thanks!

I have a Classic 152-S and there is a cap on the inlet pipe. I just had a similar issue to what you are experiencing and my cap was missing. Replacing the cap, cleaning the pump and micro-fiddling with the adjustment knob seemed to do the trick.

 

[theMeat]

How big is your tank and bioload?
How do you clean your skimmer?

 

[DD0513]

How big is your tank and bioload?
How do you clean your skimmer?

90 gallon, 20 gallon sump.

Small sailfin tang
Two oscellaris clowns
Three chromis
Two zebra gobies
Diamond watchman
Six line wrasse
Midas Blenny
Royal Gramma

Cleaned with R/O really well when I set it up, I have only cleaned the cup out with RO and a scrub brush since setting it up three months ago

 

[theMeat]

90 gallon, 20 gallon sump.

Small sailfin tang
Two oscellaris clowns
Three chromis
Two zebra gobies
Diamond watchman
Six line wrasse
Midas Blenny
Royal Gramma

Cleaned with R/O really well when I set it up, I have only cleaned the cup out with RO and a scrub brush since setting it up three months ago

You have enough bio for that size neck.
Would take pump and place it in bucket with a 50/50 solution white vinegar/water. Let run overnight. Next day take out impeller and inspect/ clean. Clean out small hole where air hose attaches to pump (Venturi). Rinse, put it back together.
My bet is you will have a lot more bubbles and be aye ok.
This is practice you should do a few times a year.
Let us know how you make out