How my skimmer sabotaged my system...

[Akwarius]

Today was the closest I've ever been to throwing in the towel. My wife called me at work in a panic, and told me that there was an electrical fire because the skimmer shot water everywhere. I rushed home to find two electrical strips blown and covered with water. The strips are elevated and about 18 inches away from the skimmer/sump. I havent had time to assess the damage, but it looks like I lost at least one vortech controller and power supply and my reefkeeper power strip. The ironic thing is that I was planning on installing a float valve in my skimmer cup next week because its been acting really erratic lately. I've had a couple of random over-skimming events, but nothing powerful enough to shoot water 12-18 inches out of my sump! What the heck am I doing wrong here? (Besides not having my outlets farther away-duh) More background- SWC 220 cone, I dose 2 part and vinegar automatically 8 times per day, params are normal, no bacterial or algae blooms- just a little cyano. Some kind of crucial skimmer maintenance that I am neglecting? I clean the cup and neck every week. Could something have gotten stuck in the air inlet?

 

[VegasRick]

Only two reasons I can think of for skimmer over flow is airway blocked or water level in the sump too high. About every 3 months my skimmer pump gets a good cleaning and every 6 months the skimmer gets totally take apart and cleaned.

 

[Akwarius]

The swc is only 4-5 months old. As it has "matured" Ive had to raise it on a platform in my sump from about 9 inches to 6 inches. I usually keep the air intake wide open.