Can't stop my new skimmer from overflowing!

revhtree · Jul 29, 2011

Any ideas?

I got the ATB Elegance Pro 200 and I can't stop it from overflowing for anything! I mean it's not even close. It's all out flooding! LOL! The water is at optimal level from what I am told and the standpipe is opened all the way up.

luke33 · Jul 29, 2011

How big is the foam head? That will tell us if its a chemical or if its not running correctly. If you raise the skimmer it should help lower the water level inside the skimmer.

clowns101 · Jul 29, 2011

Pretty common for new skimmers.

Check and see if there is a clogging in the air intake and check there,when i got my skimmer,there was a piece of plastic in the air intake which caused it to suck in more water and less air,therefor overflowing like you are describing...

Good luck

Reef lvr · Jul 29, 2011

If its brand new i would say take the collection cup off and let it run, it took mine 2 days to settle in.

revhtree · Jul 29, 2011

It has been running for almost 2 weeks. It's not foam it's just too much water. I am thinking that maybe the air line is restricted to much. This is the skimmer.

http://www.reefspecialty.com/virtue...506-atb-elegance-200-pro-protein-skimmer.html

Troylee · Jul 29, 2011

Has it ever ran right?? How deep of water is it setting in??

swannyson7 · Jul 29, 2011

What water level is it sitting in?

revhtree · Jul 29, 2011

It is setting in about 7.5-8 inches of water. Let me snap a pic of something.

Troylee · Jul 29, 2011

has it ever skimmed or has it overflowed from day one???

luke33 · Jul 29, 2011

^^ If its an askoll 1500 motorblock its a powerful pump, raise it an inch at a time and see how it does.

swannyson7 · Jul 29, 2011

When Mojo did his review, he said that although the recomendation was 6-8 inches, he thought 6-7 was the best. He also said that he swapped out the airline because the one that came with it was restrictive. Maybe try putting the skimmer on a stand to decrease the water level a bit and swap out the airline for something slightly larger?

revhtree · Jul 29, 2011

The pump is an airstar 1300. Here is something I found when I removed the skimmer. The place where the pump fits into the outside area where water is drawn in is loose. There is a little rubber seal but it does not want to stay. I am wondering if I put this together right. Took this with my ipad so forgive me. Oh yea and also I raised the skimmer all the way up almost out of the water and it still was overflowing. Been messing with it for days!

revhtree · Jul 29, 2011

Think I might could add a ball valve on the intake there on the outside?

Troylee · Jul 29, 2011

no you don't want to restrict the intake.... really need a video of it running that would make it so much easier.... are you running carbon on your tank yet??? maybe all that silicone isn't cured and making it over flow for now???? hang a bag of carbon inside the skimmer body and see if it helps....

revhtree · Jul 29, 2011

You think that could be the problem even after 2 weeks of running the skimmer and letting it overflow. Yes I am going to get the airline tube that mojo recommended. Just trying to get it working better until I can swap it out. Also I have put it on a stand and played with a bunch of spots.

revhtree · Jul 29, 2011

No carbon, I never run carbon.

revhtree · Jul 29, 2011

Could it be that gap that is causing the main issue?

Troylee · Jul 29, 2011

i would put some carbon online man i bet that skimmer starts working with in 24 hrs..... im sure with it being a completely new system, silicone, pvc glue, etc etc etc something has contaminated the water and with out carbon nothing is gonna remove it....

Troylee · Jul 29, 2011

btw that was my last exp with my new cube.... after a week of the skimmer not running i got very frustrated never has it took more than 48hrs for me to get a skimmer to start performing.... i was really stumped i put a carbon reactor online with high flow and with in 4 hrs i had a skimmer that was doing what it was meant to.....