Protein Skimmer Settings?

[GMGQ]

Hi Everyone,

I've never really had consistent skimmate production from my Euroreef RS-135 (nor with my old skimmer for that matter). I did the gate valve mod on the outlet, with a long 1.5" riser pipe. I took out the airline valve, so the venturi gets all the air it wants.

I constantly have to tweak the outlet gate valve to raise or lower the level to get the foam to go into the cup. It skims very wet.

I find a lot of gunk just lines the top of the inner tube and the lid, before it goes into the cup. Most of the foam will barely overflow into the cup, but I dont usually get the kinda thick foam inside the cup that I see other people get.

I was wondering if the flow into the skimmer section of the sump makes a difference with the skimmer's efficiency? I have noticed that when I increase or decrease the flow, the bubbles inside the skimmer would subside for a while as it adjusts to the flow, then the bubbles will rise up again.

Thoughts??

Thanks.