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I just comppleted build a counter-current air driven skimmer. I recieved my pump today from Foster and Smith and I decided to test the skimmer out. The pump is a Maxi-Jet 900 rated for 230 gph. The skimmer will be used on my 15g high now, but when I swith to my new 50g, it will be used there.

Well, the skimmer test failed. From the attached photo, you can see that I partially filled an old (cracked) 10g tank. I hung the skimmer on the tank and put the Maxi-Jet into the water. When I plugged the pump in, water began to flow out of the 1/2" PVC pipe back into the tank, but at the same time, the water level was climbing in the skimmer column. It actually overflowed into the 4" dia. collection cup at the top of the skimmer. The skimmer column is 3.5" dia. and 18" long. In the photo, the unit is not running.

Does anyone have any idea why the skimmer overflowed? What can I do to make this work. I'm I pumping too much water into the skimmer? To I need a valve in the water supply line? Any ideas would be helpful.

Thanks.