Help, Skimmer went crazy

[Ernie C]

I would say it’s over a year old. I did turn it off for a day cause I wanted to see if it would affect PH and my nutrients had slightly dropped and didn’t want them to decline any more. Turned it on via Apex this morning and got home to it going berserk. Already has dumped out about a gallon of clear skimate. Not sure if it is slowing down.

 

[JasonK84]

How new is the skimmer?

That’s what I was about to ask! If it’s brand new (less than 2 weeks running then you could be dealing with the break in. Raise the skimmer up out of the water a couple inches and just let it run until the micro bubbles stop. Then you can start fine tuning.

 

[DarthSimon]

Void anything being wrong with hardware, something must have gotten in your water to make the skimmer go nuts. Lot's of reasons skimmers act up. I have had a few Reef Octo's do this to me after the skimmer was broken in. Usually, these issues subside after a few hours. You said it was getting thicker up top? If you let the skim line drain into a bucket, does the water accumulate fast?? It can look like a lot coming over the cup, but if you really measure in the bucket, it's usually not that much.

Other questions, is the height of the water line on skimmer correct? Usually the manufactured states a set line where it needs to be. Has that changed? Did your auto top off change in any way??? That would also throw skimmer off....

 

[Ernie C]

I think it’s slowing down. At about a gallon and a half so far. I opened a bottle of wine and watching it lol. Worse case I’ll make a little salt water to replace it. Should I replace at regular salt level? This hobby is driving me to drink.

 

[Ernie C]

Void anything being wrong with hardware, something must have gotten in your water to make the skimmer go nuts. Lot's of reasons skimmers act up. I have had a few Reef Octo's do this to me after the skimmer was broken in. Usually, these issues subside after a few hours. You said it was getting thicker up top? If you let the skim line drain into a bucket, does the water accumulate fast?? It can look like a lot coming over the cup, but if you really measure in the bucket, it's usually not that much.

Other questions, is the height of the water line on skimmer correct? Usually the manufactured states a set line where it needs to be. Has that changed? Did your auto top off change in any way??? That would also throw skimmer off....

I have it elevated so water line is at the level of the gate. Don’t see a line but it’s at the base of the neck if that makes any sense.

 

[DarthSimon]

What model Reef Octo is that again?

 

[Ernie C]

Not sure. Maybe 150?

Thank you all for jumping on my crazy train! You all are the best!

 

[DarthSimon]

It’s a Classic 110 int. ;)

Is the water line 7-8 inches from base of skimmer?

 

[Ernie C]

It’s a Classic 110 int. ;)

Is the water line 7-8 inches from base of skimmer?

So is the water level in the right place? I mean it’s been working fine until today but seems it is doing its job. I must have had something on my skin or something cause as I’ve been dumping the skimate it seems to be slowing down. It was going back into the tank all day so I’m thinking it’s removing something?

 

[DarthSimon]

I’m only asking because if the water line in your Sump was to change where the skimmer is in the water, it could throw off the skimmer.

 

[Ernie C]

Oh. Yeah that didn’t change.

 

[DarthSimon]

I had the Regal SS 150 Reef Octo which is similar to yours, had 2 overflows just like yours. You will be fine. Sounds like it’s slowing down.

Have some tequila next... Just don’t throw any in your water.... Your next post would be you have a bacterial bloom :p

 

[Ernie C]

I have a bazooka pond UV I used for dinos. I’m ready!!!!

 

[cracker]

Ernie ! I would think you could just dump the water in cup back into the tank At this point. hang in there.

 

[High ICP]

Sounds like something is in the water

Pull the skimmer out

Put it in a bucket of fresh salt water. Run it.

See what happens

 

[Ernie C]

It’s still pretty foamy so I’m just gonna wait a bit. I made two gallons of salt water to replace what I’ve taken out. It’s definitely starting to subside. Never a dull moment. Lord knows what caused it. I do stick my hands in there all the time not thinking what I’ve been doing around the house. :-/

 

[Bpainter3]

Something definitely got stirred up or into the tank. It will go back to normal eventually maybe run some carbon. If you don’t want to turn it off you can try to raise it up with a couple pieces of pvc and egg crate

 

[DarthSimon]

It’s still pretty foamy so I’m just gonna wait a bit. I made two gallons of salt water to replace what I’ve taken out. It’s definitely starting to subside. Never a dull moment. Lord knows what caused it. I do stick my hands in there all the time not thinking what I’ve been doing around the house. :-/

Yep, always good practice give hands and arms a rinse before hand ;Stop

 

[DarthSimon]

Foamy is fine, and long as it’s not accumulating in bucket any longer , you should be out of the woods.... Goodnight buddy.

 

[vetteguy53081]

I never turn off but factors will be sediment at the bottom rising, water level in sump and amount of waste to be broken down