Skimmer question

that guy · Jun 2, 2026

I bought a skimmer on sunday. Kind of an impulse buy but just wanted to make sure i got a good one and not an overpriced one. The one on my current tank has proven to be the latter. The new tank is a reef octo. It will replace my red sea 900. I cant get get the red sea to operate correctly. Ive taken it out and started all over again multiple times. Just feel like i get it to working great and exactly where I want it to be then like magic it takes that dark half cup of thick skimmate and magically it over flows the cup like some magic self clean function that i unlocked without knowing it.

JumboShrimp · Jun 3, 2026

Generally speaking, (and not knowing your specific skimmer model number, etc.), would think in terms of making 'micro adjustments' to your adjustment wheel. Sometimes we monkey with the dial until things "look" good, only to walk away and have happen what is happening to you. Instead, fall all the way back to where there is just about no skimmate being produced... then 'up' the output by a small 1/16th turn of the dial. See what happens after 6-8 hours and repeat with another micro-adjustment. I hope this makes sense.

PS: if you happened to buy a "recirculating" skimmer, you will be far less a victim of changes in your sump's water level. They are the best (least frustrating) skimmers for ease-of-use, in my opinion.

that guy · Jun 3, 2026

JumboShrimp said:
Generally speaking, (and not knowing your specific skimmer model number, etc.), would think in terms of making 'micro adjustments' to your adjustment wheel. Sometimes we monkey with the dial until things "look" good, only to walk away and have happen what is happening to you. Instead, fall all the way back to where there is just about no skimmate being produced... then 'up' the output by a small 1/16th turn of the dial. See what happens after 6-8 hours and repeat with another micro-adjustment. I hope this makes sense.

PS: if you happened to buy a "recirculating" skimmer, you will be far less a victim of changes in your sump's water level. They are the best (least frustrating) skimmers for ease-of-use, in my opinion.

My issue with the red sea seemed to be the auto level feature. It was making a good waste then seemed to just freak out. And just speed itself to max. Only to come home to 3 inches of foam covering the whole sump water. I have also had it off and needing to be cleaned and come home to it back on and overflowing. I had to resort to literally unplugging the pump from the reef control. I have a redsea dc reefer 900. It is very frustrating to say the least. I am going from a proclear 200 to a 440 display and since my 2 lionfish and panther grouper are getting too big im upgrading. I know they maoe some waste so i bought a octo 300 int.