Skimmer question

[DiverGirl82]

I'm cycling my first tank and I just plugged in my skimmer to try it out and I'm realizing I'm not quite sure how it's supposed to work. I see that when I adjust the pipe up the bubbles bubble up over into the cup and when I adjust the pipe down the bubbles go down and hang out just at the top without spilling over into the cup.

So which way is it supposed to be? Do I want the bubbles spilling over into the cup? Or not? TIA

 

[steve&mari]

As nutrients are pulled from water it'll foam up the foam is what you want spilling into cup it's something that you're going to have to learn to adjust as needed by the system as it changes.

 

[Imagndat]

Im new to the hobby so might want another opinion but what I did was adjusted my skimmer so that it's under about 8-9 inches of water, I took the cup off and adjusted the bubbles so it reaches the top without overflowing, after about 15-20min if it stays at that level your good to put cup back in. I get solid green crap into my cup without overflowing.

 

[steve&mari]

New skimmer has a break in period also so you'll be playing with it to begin with to dial it in. Just keep a eye on it so it's not flooding cup as you get it dialed in.

 

[DiverGirl82]

Thank you both. I'll keep an eye on it and adjust as needed.

 

[ReeferBob]

Usually start with the bubbles 1/2 way up the cup. It will take a few weeks to break in (develop a slime coat) and work properly. It might overflow while breaking in btw.