Is my skimmer skimming?

[Chrille26]

Hello! Im halfway through week 2 of cycling my new 35 gallon with a mix of 17 pounds live rock and 11 pounds dry.
I have kept my skimmer running through the whole time and Ive had some issues with overflowing, not enough air to form bubbles etc. A few days ago I thought I got it dialed in, but now when I check the sump the skimmer cup looks like the photos added.

My last tank just used a HOB filter so Im new to sump and skimmer. Does it look like my skimmer is working as intended or is it too wet foam or something?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[AZMSGT]

First of all a new tank doesn't need a skimmer till after the first fish go in. A skimmer is there to help remove waste from the tank and oxygenate the water. I would run the tank without the skimmer till the cycle is finished. You could be pulling bactiera from the tank that could slow your cycle. I say pour the contents of the cup back into the tank and let the cycle finish. Shut the skimmer off for now.

Yes, your skimmer looks to have some brown stuff in it likely from the live rock and it looks pretty wet. Meaning that more water than waste.

New Skimmers will need a break in period of a couple days to a few weeks depending on how the manufacture treated them.

 

[ScottR]

I typically wouldn’t run a skimmer when cycling. Once you add fish and other livestock, that’s when you need to dial it in.

 

[Chrille26]

Thanks for the replies! I will shut the skimmer down until I start to add more bioload to the tank!