okay, i finally have a chance to update everyone. it is an in-sump skimmer and it does drain into a container. the pump is an air pump. i haven't been running it at all. based on what everyone has said so far, i think that the pump is too powerful. my problem sounded similar to reefguy, but the second problem is that the pump doesn't turn down any lower. i get it as low as it will go and it is still pumping too hard, then i try a little lower and it cuts off. i don't thing anything i do is going to make it efficent so i will probably just buy a new one. any suggestions on brand, what do you all prefer as far as HOB or in sump?