Protein skimmer overflow, NEED HELP PLZ??

[Xerxes_Zoanthids444]

Hey guys,

My protein skimmer overflows not matter where I put the dial and I don't know what to do and need your help? I have a Reef octopus 110 int


Thank you

 

[moseley75]

How deep is the water it is sitting in?

 

[Zero Nitrates]

How new is it?

 

[Coronus]

Soooo many things could be causing this. Questions above are good ones!

 

[5altkreep]

My 110 acted crazy for the first week or two, but once broke in it settled down. Water depth should be 7-8"
Start with valve all the way closed, and open in very small amounts. Let run a couple hours between adjustments. Check the venturi and make sure its clean and clear. Also, do you use an ATO? They are very sensitive to fluctuations in water level. Hth, good luck!

 

[Xerxes_Zoanthids444]

How deep is the water it is sitting in?

It's 6-6.5

 

[Xerxes_Zoanthids444]

My 110 acted crazy for the first week or two, but once broke in it settled down. Water depth should be 7-8"
Start with valve all the way closed, and open in very small amounts. Let run a couple hours between adjustments. Check the venturi and make sure its clean and clear. Also, do you use an ATO? They are very sensitive to fluctuations in water level. Hth, good luck!

Well I just cleaned the whole thing with white vinegar, I don't have a ATO. What do you think I should do? Should I just run it with the top collecting cup off?

 

[Xerxes_Zoanthids444]

How new is it?

I have had it for awhile but I just cleaned it completely with white vinegar, should I just run it with the collection cup off?

 

[jmt1030]

Raise it up. I just has the same issue with my skimmer. Raised mine up a little and now it's running like a champ.

 

[Holy_makerel]

Might have to raise the skimmer itself. I use a bubble magus curve 5 and had to make a platform out of diffuser that raised the unit about 1.5". It would overflow like crazy even at the lowest setting. Now it is pulling gunk like a champ

 

[5altkreep]

Now that it's all clean, it will definitely have to "break in" again. I would turn it all the way down and let it go nuts for awhile. Hopefully it will calm down for you. Is your skimmer section a fixed depth, or does it fluctuate with evap/topoff?

 

[Xerxes_Zoanthids444]

Now that it's all clean, it will definitely have to "break in" again. I would turn it all the way down and let it go nuts for awhile. Hopefully it will calm down for you. Is your skimmer section a fixed depth, or does it fluctuate with evap/topoff?

I have it at the appropriate depth from reef octopus website! Should I just run it until it calms down with the collection cup off?

 

[Xerxes_Zoanthids444]

Might have to raise the skimmer itself. I use a bubble magus curve 5 and had to make a platform out of diffuser that raised the unit about 1.5". It would overflow like crazy even at the lowest setting. Now it is pulling gunk like a champ

I raised it where it needs to be, it might just have to break in again!

 

[jmt1030]

I raised it where it needs to be, it might just have to break in again!

Wait a couple days and see. I had to raise my sump above the recommended levels set by the manufacturer.

 

[Treasure Coast]

You might want to try letting it run with the emptying hose open and flowing back into the sump until it settles down.

 

[Xerxes_Zoanthids444]

You might want to try letting it run with the emptying hose open and flowing back into the sump until it settles down.

Ok I think it has to break in again so that's what I did! Thanks

 

[Xerxes_Zoanthids444]

Wait a couple days and see. I had to raise my sump above the recommended levels set by the manufacturer.

I think it has to break in again, but thanks for your help

 

[GoVols]

I think it has to break in again, but thanks for your help

If you don't mind.
How old is your tank and have you been using coral putty or Chemiclean?

Regards, GoVols

 

[Xerxes_Zoanthids444]

If you don't mind.
How old is your tank and have you been using coral putty or Chemiclean?

Regards, GoVols

Yea recently I put in coral putty to bind some rocks? Why?

 

[GoVols]

Yea recently I put in coral putty to bind some rocks? Why?

Coral putty residue makes a protein skimmer go nutz. :)

Breaking in a new skimmer is hard to get any consistent skimmate during the break in period.

Hope that helps you out.