Things to add to a 20G and algae/sludge questions

[rocketlily]

I used the Rio Nano Skimmer on my 20 gal for 6 months and I will agree that it is a very finiky piece of equipment. All I can say, is what I did was adjust it until it worked, carefully back away, and pray it would keep working. The next time I came into the room and it wasn't running, I did the same thing. Eventually, over time, it did work until the next water change, then I started all over again.