Skimmer after water change.

[AdamK1]

So my 700l system gets a 100l water change every 2 weeks or just less. Avarages out to about 10% per week. I'm using red sea blue bucket, and run a deltec 1000i skimmer.

Every time I do a water change my skimmer goes nuts afterwards, pulls loads of clean water, and fills the skimmer chamber with microbubbles.

I know this is normal as the new water has more surface tension, which needs to "age" in order for the skimmer to work properly, but it's very annoying. My skimmer is currently at its lowest setting, both manually and electronically, and I'm looking at another cup full of clean water. I just let it drain back into the sump, and gradually increase the level/power over the next few days, but it is frustrating, and I'm essentially without a skimmer until it settles again.

Any solutions?

 

[zusima]

Curiosity, are you changing your sock every change? Anything else during change or just the water?

 

[edsbeaker]

I have not ever experienced my skimmer going crazy from a water change…unless, are you turning the skimmer back on before your water level in the skimmer compartment has a chance to go back down to its normal operating level after the water charge? That higher water level would cause an overflow.
Seems like water level or as zusima said, changing filter socks or foam would be the logical culprits.

 

[Uncle99]

Never had that happen.
I doubt it’s water related.
I can make mine do that if the water level it sits in is to high.

 

[zusima]

The only times my skimmer explodes are changing sock (fix by rinsing new sock with ro) or placing too many frags with epoxy (still haven't found cure) l. Are you shutting off your skimmer and pumps for change or is it automatic? Even water level would balance out unless your skimmer is just sucking stuff up during this process and it's reacting odd. Last time you removed and cleaned skimmer/pump?

 

[AdamK1]

Running a roll mat, so not that. Skimmer is the last thing that goes back on so not level. Often I don't even disturb substrate etc. Just water out, water in. That's it.

 

[cloak]

This used to happen to me as well. I would just unplug the skimmer before a water change and then plug it in maybe 12 hours later. No problem.
If all is well the tank will be OK without the bubbles for a day or so. GL.