Protein Skimmer Help!

[dellinwood]

I’m having trouble getting my protein skimmer to function. I have a Eshopps S200 skimmer in a trigger sump. It just overflows instantly. Let it run for 10 days to break in, tried 7”, 9”, low air, high air, ect but the only way to keep it from over foaming instantly is to have it at 3” of water. What am I missing??

For what it’s worth phosphate is only at .25 and the tank is 4.5months old

 

[The_Paradox]

Do you have the water gate all the way open?

 

[doubleshot00]

Mine took 3 weeks to break in so maybe just be patient.

 

[Doctorgori]

whatI do when my skimmer is overflowing like crazy is just let it go. In fact it’s happening right now and poses a water change opportunity …I just output the overflow into a bucket

 

[doubleshot00]

whatI do when my skimmer is overflowing like crazy is just let it go. In fact it’s happening right now and poses a water change opportunity …I just output the overflow into a bucket

This. For example last night i was removing zoas from my tank. Skimmer overflowed for over 2 hours.

 

[dellinwood]

Do you have the water gate all the way open?

Yes I do

 

[dellinwood]

Mine took 3 weeks to break in so maybe just be patient.

10 days was the longest I let it go for with the water gate open at 7” sump level. Didn’t know it could take that long! The salt mist gets annoying

 

[The_Paradox]

Yes I do

If the water gate is all the way open and air is turned down, I would raise it. 5-6” is more the norm over 8-9”.

 

[dellinwood]

If the water gate is all the way open and air is turned down, I would raise it. 5-6” is more the norm over 8-9”.

The sump is currently 9” so I’ll lower it back to 7” then put it up on the diy stand and let it run for several days. Thanks for the help!