Skimmer blowing it's top

[SaltontheBrain]

Hello this is my first post. Thanks to everyone that takes the time to post there ideals and comments. I've learned a ton about my new marine tank adventure reading these discussions.

I've got a 30gl/10gl sump that's had SW circulating for 8 weeks. With a 32 for Salinity
Tanked is filled and Topped of with Tap water and API stress coat/tap water conditioner. @1/2gl top of per day.
14lbs of LR
40lbs of LS were added 4 weeks ago.
My API SW Test kit last readings:
PH 8.1
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 20
I started trying my New BH50 reef octopus skimmer and can't get it to do anything but fill the collection cup to the top with bubble overflow. It sets in the sump. It doesn't over fill but fills the entire unit with tons of bubbles overfills the cup to the top and then makes a head and the bubbles pop. It overfilled for the first 48 hrs. of use into the sump. Figured this was normal break in. Been running for 7 days. I've made sure nothing is obstructing any entry or exit. I've tried adjustments of raising so high the pump is out of water to shorting the air line for more air. It does the same. There's no adjustment on the pump there's a dampening plug on the end of the air line. I've tried it in and out. The water exit tube is as low as it goes if it's raised it immediately overflows. I may be too early in break in period just wondering if this is normal. Or is there a problem. My tank has been FW tank for years. New to salt. Sump is new. No other filtrations in tanks besides LR/LS. Attached pict of skimmer in its best action so far. Thanks.

[Tshaisvang]

Originally Posted by SaltontheBrain

Hello this is my first post. Thanks to everyone that takes the time to post there ideals and comments. I've learned a ton about my new marine tank adventure reading these discussions.

I've got a 30gl/10gl sump that's had SW circulating for 8 weeks. With a 32 for Salinity
Tanked is filled and Topped of with Tap water and API stress coat/tap water conditioner. @1/2gl top of per day.
14lbs of LR
40lbs of LS were added 4 weeks ago.
My API SW Test kit last readings:
PH 8.1
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 20
I started trying my New BH50 reef octopus skimmer and can't get it to do anything but fill the collection cup to the top with bubble overflow. It sets in the sump. It doesn't over fill but fills the entire unit with tons of bubbles overfills the cup to the top and then makes a head and the bubbles pop. It overfilled for the first 48 hrs. of use into the sump. Figured this was normal break in. Been running for 7 days. I've made sure nothing is obstructing any entry or exit. I've tried adjustments of raising so high the pump is out of water to shorting the air line for more air. It does the same. There's no adjustment on the pump there's a dampening plug on the end of the air line. I've tried it in and out. The water exit tube is as low as it goes if it's raised it immediately overflows. I may be too early in break in period just wondering if this is normal. Or is there a problem. My tank has been FW tank for years. New to salt. Sump is new. No other filtrations in tanks besides LR/LS. Attached pict of skimmer in its best action so far. Thanks.

I don't know much about skimmer but it seem like your skimmer are a little too low try put it higher and i think you can adjust the skimmer by turning the pipe you may want to check your skimmer manual how to use it, for my recommend no use the skimmer for now you don't need to use it while you recycling tank. I hope other people will check out your post and give you a better understand about how skimmer work.

[slief]

The skimmer will take several days to break in. During the first couple days, the foam head may run really high and overflow. This skimmer appears to have a standpipe on the exit line. Before you do anything, make sure that pipe is in the lowest position as that will have a direct impact on the issue you are experiencing. Raising that pipe raises the water level in the skimmer where as lowering it lowers the water level. If that pipe is in the lowest position, raising the skimmer up or lowering the water level in the sump will lower the water level in the skimmer which will help. If it's hanging on the back of the tank, just raise it 1/2" and see if that helps. If it's still overflowing raise it a bit more until the issue stops. After a week or so, it should be mostly broken in and you can start lowering if needed to get it skimming wetter if needed.