Fluval PS2 Protein Skimmer Water Control Valve

[Diver4242]

I just bought this Fluval PS2 Protein Skimmer for my Fluval Eval 13.5g tank. I know, I saw all the reviews saying it sucks, but Dr. Tim said it's needed for the prescription to fight the dinoflagellates in my tank, and I think I also don't have enough oxygenation.

Anyway, after one day I see the clear collection cup is filled with water more than it should be (should be at the top of the lower neck thing). There's a water control valve but turning that (even radically) either clockwise or counter clockwise doesn't seem to do anything. My tank water level is about half way up the lattice area at the top of the tank, so I think it's correct.

Any help on this thing? The doc/manual of course doesn't say which direction to turn the water control valve to raise or lower the water level in the skimmer! TIA

 

[Eagle_Steve]

I had this skimmer and once broken on and setup right, they work well.

For the water adjustment, the knob is a pain, slide some old hose over it to make it easier to get to.

Also, if you can remove to look at it this will make sense.

There is a “gate” that the knob controls. Turning the knob either opens (lowers water level) or closes (raises water level). You probably need to make sure the gate is all the way open and raise the skimmer up for break in. This skimmer MUST have slime in it to work right. This can take a week or more to do.

Once that is accomplished, you should be able to lower it down to where the output (where the “gate” is) to just at water level. Like the bottom of the “gate” is right at the top of the water. You will then need to adjust the knob so that the bubbles in the skimmer are just at where the plastic body starts to narrow for where the cup goes. This will give you a “wet skim”. About 1/2”” below that for the water level will produce a “dry skim”. You may have to move the skimmer up some to do that, even with the gate all the way open.

Hope that made sense. If not, let me know and I will dig my skimmer out and get you some pics if I can find what box it is in lol.