Having trouble dialing in my skimmer

[brianjfinn]

I have an MRC MR-1 skimmer that I'm having trouble finding the right setting for the height of the water level in the column. I have it setup in-sump and have noticed that if the water level outside the skimmer changes, that has an effect on the water level within the skimmer. However, that's not the problem.

Last night I set the level so that the bubbles were only coming about half way up the column, not even reaching the collection cup. This morning, the bubbles were all the way at the top of the collection cup and the waste collector was completely full. The water level in the sump hadn't changed, and there weren't any other changes that I know of that would have an effect on the skimmer.

I just can't seem to find that sweet spot. Either I'm skimming too dry where I'm not really skimming at all, or I'm skimming too wet and removing a gallon of water per day. Anyone have some advice?

 

[crewdawg1981]

I've been running into the same issue with my SRO XP3000Int.

How new is the system that its running in or is the system established? Have you looked online to see what the optimal depth is? Mayhaps the skimmer is too big for the tank and being finicky because of it?!

 

[brianjfinn]

Crewdawg1981;596261 wrote: I've been running into the same issue with my SRO XP3000Int.

How new is the system that its running in or is the system established? Have you looked online to see what the optimal depth is? Mayhaps the skimmer is too big for the tank and being finicky because of it?!

The system is brand new, only set up for about two months, so I'm sure that has an effect on it. I need to double check, but I'm pretty sure the water level is right where it should be. The total system volume should be around 90 gallons, so the skimmer is rated for more, but I'm not sure to what extent that would have an effect on the skimmer.

 

[gmpolan]

Mine changes alot to brian (MR 2) esp when i engage standby (all pumps off) for feeding or the ato runs dry while im traveling. You ll find it but it does fluctuate with the system. I guess ,y only advice isthe water should be about 2 inches above the box give or take and clean the beckett/cup every couple weeks as i notice this helps alot.

 

[gnashty]

dial it in low in the riser tube and walk away, check on it later but never touch the water with your hands, only adjust your air (doesnt need much) and gate valve for adjustment. each time you check on it. Mine took several days to dial in. The key is to not touch the water before you make an adjustment, at least it was for me - I overskimmed and flooded many times before I figured that out.

 

[jennm]

gnashty;596352 wrote: dial it in low in the riser tube and walk away, check on it later but never touch the water with your hands...

Putting hands, food or certain chemicals in the tank will temporarily stop the skimmer from fractionating, so avoid trying to tweak the skimmer if any of these activities has happened within a few hours before you try to dial it in.

FWIW, epoxy and products with polymers can have the opposite effect, and cause the skimmer to go nuts.

Jenn

 

[brianjfinn]

Thanks for the input everyone! I looked on the MRC website, too, and it pretty much agrees with all of you. I just opened completely both the gate valve and the air thingy (yes, that's the technical term) and slowly raised the bubble level low into the riser tube. I'll leave it there for a day and make small adjustments over the next few days.

Thanks again!