Skimmer Tuning, need help

[Jeremy Luke]

The skimmer on my new build was working perfect (Icecap K-160). It's sitting in just over 9" of water currently. The manufacturer recommends 7-10". Over the past month the skimmer produces a lot of airy foam in the cup such that it creeps through the vents. This happens even when the level of actual skimmate in the cup is extremely low. If I adjust for very very dark skimmate I can keep the foam in the cup. Before (first two months) I could wet skim without any issue and it seemed to work flawlessly. Any thoughts or suggestions?

My PO4 last night measured .03 (10ppb Hanna ULR)
Nitrates were undetectable

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[bif24701]

Raise the water level in the skimmer. Your skim is just really dry and that's why it builds up and seeps up through the holes.

Mine does it too, I just adjust the water level.

 

[Jeremy Luke]

Raise the water level in the skimmer. Your skim is just really dry and that's why it builds up and seeps up through the holes.

Mine does it too, I just adjust the water level.

Thanks for the response. By that do you mean close the opening on the bottom of the skimmer more (it's currently at 60%) or do you mean raise the water level in the sump? The sump water level is already about as I high as I can adjust it.

 

[bif24701]

Thanks for the response. By that do you mean close the opening on the bottom of the skimmer more (it's currently at 60%) or do you mean raise the water level in the sump? The sump water level is already about as I high as I can adjust it.

Don't adjust water level in sump, you don't want to do that, can cause a flood. Adjust the valve on the skimmer, close it a tiny tiny amount until you get the skimm you want. Wait several hours between adjustments.

 

[Jeremy Luke]

Thanks again. I'll give it a try.