skimmer setup secrets?

[FishyFishy!]

I hate to say it, but Eshopps skimmers are extremely tempermental like that, and are well known for the wet skim. I have owned 2 in my days, and neither of them ever stayed consistant.

As far as filling a 5G bucket..... I would rather see the thing overflow back into the tank than have that much salinity swing. Ditch the bucket and let if overflow into the sump.

AND... look for a better skimmer. Dosn't have to be soon, but lerk on the F/S forum and you'll eventually find a better deal.