Pam, I agree that you probably don't need to run your
skimmer right now.
Skimmers brands vary in their tuning so I don't have any advice on your Elos. I think the cryptic directions must be consistent from one brand to another because there are always lots of questions about tuning.
IMO, since you have had your rock curing for about 10 days, and started your tank off using some of that water I think I would go ahead and get a baseline set of
NH3,
NO2 &
NO3 tests. This will also help you become familiar with the brand of kits you are using. Be sure to read the directions closely, some are very finicky about the type of light you read them under. I wouldn't worry about
pH right now.
Depending on the type of snail it would not be surprising if it buried itself in the sand. What did it look like?
