Adjusting MR2 skimmer

[Derek03]

I think I may have some trouble adjusting the skimmer. I never get any skimmate except clean water in the container. I get a little green buildup on the sides of the riser and some at the bottom of the collection cup but that is it. I have a 1 gal bottle set up as the catch can but all I ever get in that is clear water. I did everything like the instructions said and I get a ton of the tiny bubbles but there is hardley ever any foam buildup. I have a genX pcx55 powering the skimmer.

I started the tank in mid November with rocks only. I added the skimmer at the beginning of December. I added 4 fish on 12/21. Since then to current date I have added.

Corals:
1-Alveopora 1-Trumpet candycane 1-BTA 2-Zoos
1-Hammer 1-Xenia 1-Clam
1-Pipe organ 1-Welsophellia 1-Torch

Fish:
2- Ocelaris clowns 1-Cardinal 1-Carribean pigmy angel(original 4 fish)
1-Black hat basslet(New addition)

Inverts:
60-Blue leg hermits 15-Margarita snails 1-Skunk cleaner
1-Peppermint shrimp 1-Blood shrimp 2-Sand sifter stars 2-Brittle stars

I change a little more than 10 gal of water a week and it passes through a carbon bag, phosphate sponge and 2 blue floss filters before it gets to the sump where the skimmer is. Since I have C/C substrate I vacume it once a week to remove the water for the W/C.

I add 25cc of ESV B-ionic in the morning before the lights come on but still trying to find the balance for my tank. Once a week I add 2 cap fulls of DT's phytoplankton. I also add purple up if the Ca gets low. I feed the fish about every other day and I make sure there is no extra food left over.

The tank is an 80 gal w/ a 20 gal sump. Everything seems to be doing fine so I guess I shouldnt be to concerned.

Wow since I have typed all that out it makes me realize how fast I have been adding things to my tank. I should probably slow down a little.

[Fly Guy]

I have had my mr-2 for about 3 weeks now. I just in the last week think i figured it out.

Here is what you have to do.

1. Be patient. What i mean by that is DO NOT go and try and adjust your water level AND mess with the needle valve in the same instance.....EVER. You will just have to start over. Get your water right and let it stay there for long enough to be confident that it is where it needs to be before you even think about making bubbles. I have tried everything to be sure, but the needle valve setting recommendations in the directions are pretty much where you want them.

2. You must have your system plumbed so that there are zero variables in water flow on both ends. I had to redo my drain because it just ever so slightly was affected by the water level in my sump.

3. If it gets mucked up very much it will not work, be prepared to clean often. They know this though which is why they made it so easy to clean.

4. Get a bigger container than a gallon unless you never leave your tank for more than a day or you will eventually wish you did.

hth