Skimmer Collection Cup Filling Fast

[rosealeedawn]

My Protein Skimmer collection cup is filling in less that 5 minutes. Can anyone advise me on why this might be? Upon its first operation, waste collected in skimmer did have a smell similar to detergent. The smell is less pronounced now. No detergent was used to clean tank or equipment. Only vinegar, and bleach on dead corals.

 

[KahluaZzZ]

is it a dark, almost black skimmate or more clear, light brown ?
If it's clear, you may have to ajust the air intake

 

[wayne]

Or turn down the intensity of the water supply to the skimmer

 

[rosealeedawn]

It's clear and foamy. I think in all likelyhood too much water is being supplied to the skimmer. I'm using the powerhead that came with the skimmer but I cannot see anything that adjusts its output. Will have a closer inspection and get back.

 

[rosealeedawn]

I cannot see the dial that I hoped to find which would control the powerheads output. There is a small outlet hole on the side of the main outlet pipe and I did have an air line tube connecting this hole to one of the input points. Removing this line has reduced the water supply rate to the skimmer, but has also resulted in a jet of fine bubbles squirting through the small outlet hole.

 

[JustinP]

Also make sure the lip of the cup is positioned about 1/8" above the water line. If the cup is too low too much water will get in.