Return Pump too big?

[Where'sWally]

I just got my Red Sea Reefer 170 filled yesterday.  I've had to remove the surface skimmer combs from the top of the return column to keep the return pump from sucking the pump section of the sump dry.  I think that this means that the return pump is too large :-).  I'm able to run with the surface skimmer combs removed, and the Red Sea manual mentions that if higher rated pumps are used a modification of the surface skimmer may be required.

 

Pump is a Sicce Syncra 3.5

Tank is a Red Sea Reefer 170

 

Have others had this issue?  What's the best solution?

 

[This guy is extra salty]

Add more saltwater 

[Where'sWally]

Extra Salty Guy -

 

Thanks, several others suggested the same thing.  Which did fix my issue.....feeling like such a newbie!

 

Thanks again!