Protein Skimmer Problem

[Chris444]

Hi, I have brought a used protein skimmer(UFO 180) that is running for over a month now and since I got it is collecting most of the things inside the neck only. The only thing that is going in the cup is slightly yellow water. I have tried to adjust the skimmer for over a week but it is either collecting only in neck or putting lots of very wet skim in the cup(mostly water). Does anyone have an idea what could be wrong with it? As it has never put dirty skim in the cup. The neck gets really dirty quickly (about 5mm of crap) in few days.
The picture was taken about 1 hour after cleaning the cup.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Looks like simple adjust may be all it needs

Can you take pix of whole thing. May just need to sit differently at water line

 

[11cmortarman]

Sounds like a water depth issue.

 

[Chris444]

Sure, the water level is 10.5inch(27cm)
Does anyone have an idea what is the ideal water level for this skimmer as I have looked everywhere on the internet but couldnt find anything.

 

[Retro Reefer]

Looks like water level is to high.. try 7-8”

 

[Duffer]

Raise it to 7-8 jnches and that may do the trick

 

[Duffer]

I also noticed you have the drain line connected.. sometimes that acts like a siphon and causes wet skim

 

[Chris444]

I also noticed you have the drain line connected.. sometimes that acts like a siphon and causes wet skim

I will get some egg crate tommorrow and raise it up. Should I also take the drain line off and block the exit at the bottom? Thanks.

 

[dwest]

Hi, I have brought a used protein skimmer(UFO 180) that is running for over a month now and since I got it is collecting most of the things inside the neck only. The only thing that is going in the cup is slightly yellow water. I have tried to adjust the skimmer for over a week but it is either collecting only in neck or putting lots of very wet skim in the cup(mostly water). Does anyone have an idea what could be wrong with it? As it has never put dirty skim in the cup. The neck gets really dirty quickly (about 5mm of crap) in few days.
The picture was taken about 1 hour after cleaning the cup.

It might be adjusted correctly in the second picture, but not enough organics to foam yet. Is your tank very new?

 

[Duffer]

I will get some egg crate tommorrow and raise it up. Should I also take the drain line off and block the exit at the bottom? Thanks.

My opinion would be yes

 

[LilElroyJetson]

Welcome to R2R!! ;Bookworm I agree with everyone else, it’s likely the skimmer height. Try placing egg crate or something underneath it to raise the height and see if that helps. If you keep a steady enough hand, you may be able to just hold it an inch or two higher for long enough to see where the most desirable water depth is, and then find a way to keep that water level. Remember, skimmers take a second to respond to changes, so make a very small adjustment, then wait 10-15 seconds or so to see how it responds. You want the bubbles to be settling just at the beginning of the neck at the bottom of the collection cup. Another thing to consider, your water may just not have much to skim out yet if the tank is new and you haven’t been feeding heavily. Also, be careful with that drain tube running out of the tank without a switch to automatically shut the skimmer off. Not only can it create a siphon but if something causes your skimmer start acting up, you risk draining a bunch of water out of your tank.

 

[Chris444]

It might be adjusted correctly in the second picture, but not enough organics to foam yet. Is your tank very new?

Yeah, the tank is very new. It has been just 2 weeks after it finished cycling. I have about 10 snails, 2 hermit crabs and 1 clownfish
I have forgot to mention in the description.

 

[Randyp79]

There may not be anything in the water to skim?