Skimmer question. I need some help.

Hey guys, I was just wondering what's the norm for having to empty the skimmer out?
I just got it yesterday so I am trying to figure out how to set it up correctly.

So far I have emptied the cup twice. ( It's a light green color). I know it's supposed to take longer for the cup to fill up.

I have the reef octo 200 rated for a 250G in my 150G tank.

I am pretty new skimmers so I'm not good with the terminology. Please bear with me.

There is this pipe that throws out water. when I pull this pipe up, the bubbles rise. When I pull it down, they lower. I have the bubbles just high enough so that they barely spill. Not sure if this is how it's supposed to be. Ill post a video in a minute to show you guys.

There is also this tube connected to the pump. ( It's the air thing I think). Not sure what that does though.

I just need help adjusting it please.

 

Lower the pipe so that the bubbles just reach the bottom of the tube inside the cup as the slime develops on this tube the skimmate will form and eventually it will burp into the cup. It really depends on how much waste you have as to how often you will need to clean it. I average about once a week. The higher you run the pipe the lighter the skimate will be. Most people like fairly dark skimmate.The air tube is what feeds air to the venturi which mixes the air with the water giving you the bubbles. You will need to clean it once in a while.

 

this is how i have it right now. It's higher than it used to be, but I have been trying to adjust it.
You mean lower the bubbles all the way down where it barely get's into that tube where they are coming out of?

 

Turn the skimmer off. Wait a couple of minutes. Turn the skimmer back on. The level of bubbles should be about an inch above the bottom of the cup.

 

Yeah, there's too much water going into the cup relative to the amount of waste you would be taking out. I agree with Vinnyboombatsz in saying that you should lower the water height in the cup.

 

Ah, I see. So the bubbles don't need to be that high in order to get the waste over to the cup?
how does the waste make it all the way up? ( just build up or something?)

 

Yes as the proteins gather at the head of the bubbles it will get thicker and thicker eventually reaching the cup. Then plug your nose.lol

 

Oh, now it makes sense. Thanks!;D