skimmer problems

[donduncan]

I have a precision skimmer in my sump. I am having trouble getting it to skim consistenly. It either skims very watery or not at all. It seems as my water level drops the colum of water drops. It has its own pump and is not dependant on water level. I seem to always have to adjust the water gate. Any suggestions? I was thinking of getting or building a top off system to keep the water level constant.

[Texreefer]

not too familiar with precision skimmers but if it has just one pump that feeds it water and creates bubbles it is probably an in sump only skimmer, which by your desription is where you have it. in order for it to function properly it MUST have a constant water level. many people have a seperate chamber made for this. depending on your sump size you can just add a baffle to create a constant level compartment for the skimmer.. adding a top off system will help but will not be ideal

[RayAllen]

The water level must stay constant in order for it to function correctly. My skimmer is in the first chamber of the sump where the water enters and never faulters. Make your adjustments to make it constant and it will help solve your problem.

[jrsatx20]

ray is right the skimmer must always have the same amount of water where it is placed. if too much water it will skim wet if water to low it will skim dry or not at all