What am I doing wrong?

[Fish Finder]

Fish Finder mentioned leaving the skimmer off before, but I thought that was just for the fishless cycle. Misinterpretation.

What should this thing be acting like when it's on, though?

just keep it off till the cycle is compleated. Once it is compleated it would depend on how many fish you have in it but on average once a day to once every few day's.

 

[spryandspringy]

i hate to say it dude but you need to do some more research. In runing the skimmer your removing proteen that is needed to make your cycle happen. With out it you will never do a full cycle and the system will crash.

EEP! IT'S OFF! IT'S OFF!!!!


And, in Degado's defense, I was getting some conflicting information, which I was I turned the damn thing back on in the first place.

 

[spryandspringy]

just keep it off till the cycle is compleated. Once it is compleated it would depend on how many fish you have in it but on average once a day to once every few day's.

What "once a day to once every few day's [sic]"? Turn it on? Empty it? Post a question about it?

 

[Zoodiver]

Cleaning it will be variable depending on the bio-load you have in the tank. More fish means you'll have to clean it more. As far as your "what should it act like" question, you should be seeing a foam build up. Not enough that it is continually flowing up to the top, though. Maybe I missed it, but what type of skimmer is it? I keep mine running strong enough so if foams about half way to two thirds up the column.