salt placement

[molotov]

without much of a bioload your skimmer probably won't produce much skimmate. It's also strange your salinity is dropping. Not that it matters much but out of curiosity, what salt brand are you using.

Also mix your saltwater solution in a different container/bucket/reservoir and add it after it's had a chance to fully dissolve. Place a maxijet in your bucket to do the mixing for you.