I just bought a Sea Life 75 skimmer, and for the life of me have no idea how to set it up correctly. It's in my sump, but keeps overflowing quickly, and sending way too many bubbles through my return and into my tank. I know I need to get some sort of valve to restrict something, but no idea what or where to put it. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

I just bought a Sea Life 75 skimmer, and for the life of me have no idea how to set it up correctly. It's in my sump, but keeps overflowing quickly, and sending way too many bubbles through my return and into my tank. I know I need to get some sort of valve to restrict something, but no idea what or where to put it. Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

The outlet is adjustable in some way. Just looked at the product. Your water level is to high in the skimmer. So the outlet need to be shorter. Will it slide down? I am not familiar with this brand of skimmer. What lead you into this purchase if you dont mind me asking?

The outlet is the PVC like pipe where the water spits back out right? I don't think it can slide down. I only bought it bc it came with sump, mag, and overflow box I bought for an extra 20 from a local craigslist buy. Any idea what I can adjust to slow down the flow? I'm not even sure what the valve is...

Take some pics of it so we can see how it's put together and operating.

I found a really nice close up of it on line. From the description that outlet pipe has to adjust some how some way.

2 things come to mind for me.

1 - as stated above the outlet probably slides up n down . If it is getting too much water adjust it so that the bubbles reach the cup.

2 - your sump water level may be too high. This will also cause it to overflow. check and see what water lvl u should be at where the skimmer sits. MOST skimmers are 7-10 inches or so.

B

Thanks all. The water level is a good 4 to 5 inches above the factory marked line, but that's only based on the advice the guy I bought from gave me. I will try to slide the tube up or down, and drain some water when i get home and see if that fixes the problem. Thanks everyone!

In the meantime, here is a link to the skimmer if anyone else has any ideas.

http://www.sealifesystems.com/product_info.php?products_id=1170&osCsid=54892061605ed82793c94b02936e8993

Ok everyone.

So the pipe does slide down a little, and I lowered it all the way and still had the cup fill up way too quickly. Same thing with the water level decrease. I let the skimmer run for about an hour and a half and it kept filling up the cup every 5-10 mins. Any other suggestions?

I've included some pictures of the skimmer in the sump, so you can see the water level and the set up. Let me know if you need better pics, I took these in a hurry.

Ok everyone.

So the pipe does slide down a little, and I lowered it all the way and still had the cup fill up way too quickly. Same thing with the water level decrease. I let the skimmer run for about an hour and a half and it kept filling up the cup every 5-10 mins. Any other suggestions?

I've included some pictures of the skimmer in the sump, so you can see the water level and the set up. Let me know if you need better pics, I took these in a hurry.

Is the outlet under water or is the water spilling out on top of the water? If its under water that can cause an issue. I know my octopus acted all kinds of crazy when I first bought it. It all changes once they break in. Are you adding anything to the water? There is something going on here that we are missing or the skimmer is really touchy. Another thing to try is setting the skimmer on something to where its in just enough water for the pump to work.

Its probably skimming any kind of fine waste out and will settle in once it runs enough to break in..

I have a couple of those. Very under-appreciated little skimmers.

That looks like an older one, the output tube is not adjustable.

The water level in your sump is too high for it, the outlet being under water is causing back-pressure which is causing the water to have to go someplace - up overflow the cup.

If keeping less water in the sump is not a practical option, raise up the skimmer a bit (put an inverted plastic container underneath it or something - cut holes in the container so water can flow through it.)

What size system is it on?

Also, you might find that you get microbubbles going back up to the tank from it. I put a filter sock on the outlet of mine, and that works like a charm - just be sure to change/clean the sock regularly.

HTH

Jenn