Never used skimmer before...need HELP!!

[llowwelll]

First, thanks to all who helped me solve my DIY skimmer's air problem. It is now producing lots of foam using a TetraTec DW 96-2 and DW 96.
I now have the skimmer set up and running. I have never actually seen a skimmer in operation before so I don't know if what I'm seeing on my skimmer is what I should be seeing. I have placed the skimmer in a plastic tub beside my tank with a pump supplying water to the skimmer and a pump returning water from the tub. I have an overflow port drilled into the skimmer's collection cup with a tube running from it into the tub. Right now, the foam (it appears to be a pretty "dry" foam) is bubbling up over the top of the skimmer's main riser and flowing into the collection cup just like it should (I think). However, after the foam settles into the collection cup, some of it is transforming back into liquid water. So what I'm seeing in the collection cup is a layer of water (below the bottom of the overflow port) covered with foam. All of it (both the foam and water) is simply flowing back through the overflow port and into the tub. I don't really have a buidup of "scummate" in the collection cup although a very small amount has accumulated on a couple of surface irregularities in the collection cup. So my question is, is what I'm seeing normal? If no, what can I do to correct it? Why am I not seeing a buildup of scummate and gunk? Should I have the plastic line from the collection cup flowing into a separate container to be disposed of? If yes, how do I maintain a water balance between the tank and the tub without constantly replenishing the water? BTW, the skimmer has been operating now for about 24 hours and details on the skimmer I built can be found at: http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1998/feb/features/2/default.asp
Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all in advance!

 

[Anonymous]

That sounds perfectly normal. Bear in mind the first few days of skimmer operation usually aren't typical, as it's got a much bigger concentration of junk in the water to work on (and it's breaking itself in).

As long as it appears to be pulling junk out, but not so fast as to be overflowing, then you're fine.

 

[Sniper308]

You need to connect some type of hose to the overflow fitting on the collection cup and drain the skimmate to a waste bin. If it is returning to your sump, you arent removing anything. I use a 1gallon plastic mayonaise jar to catch run off from mine. As long as the foam is dry when it comes out of the skimmer chamber and into the collection cup your skimmer is adjusted properly. If it seems a little wet, lower the water level in your skimmer or adjust the air input.