Finally added water!!! Have questions

[mpjmeyer]

First question is the protein skimmer. Shouldn't more foam be climbing the neck? If I close the red valve, water travels up it, not so much foam. Should I leave it or adjust the valve?



Also I have water coming down my secondary drain pipe from my shadow. Should I make the tube a tad higher in the overflow? I have the gate valve on main drain all the way open

 

[Frop]

I don't have a skimmer on my current setup. But is there a min water level it needs to sit in?

 

[mpjmeyer]

I adjusted the valve and have the foam right under the first black piece

 

[bif24701]

I adjusted the valve and have the foam right under the first black piece

Keep the water level right there for a week, don't TOUCH it. This is the break in period and you don't want a flood. Make adjustments after the week.

Your main drain, adjust the valve until it has a full siphon. If it is already great. A little water down the second is ideal. This will account for fluctuations in flow and prevent the main from sucking air or water level changing dramatically and causing noise or imbalance flow to the drain.

 

[Lonny]

You said just added water, the advice bif24701 is spot on and every time you clean the cup you'll have to go through something similar to break in do watch your skimmer after you clean it! But if your starting a new tank you don't need to run a skimmer until it cycles and you out a bio load on it. I have a bean animal overflow to and if I open the gate valve all the way it'll drain the box and suck air. But when you dial it in, it's quiet and the secondary trickles a little water. How big is your tank and what size return pump are you using?