Skimmer help please.

[Lurch72]

So my tank has been up and running for over a week, cycling away. This morning I decided to turn on my Octo 110sss skimmer for the first time. No matter where I set the air control tube, my skimmer basket is full within a few minutes. Also, as you can see in the picture, I have micro bubbles spilling out of the control tube. It's in 7 inches of water. It's listed as 7-8". I tried it at 8 and it was only worse. I'm reasonably sure it's assembled correctly. I have it at Max(I assume this is maximum air to water?) If I turn it toward Min I just get a full basket faster. I've never had a skimmer on my other salt tanks and help would be deeply appreciated. Oh, I also dosed ammonia to 1ppm this morning, could this cause it?

 

[Hitman]

They tank a weeks or so to break in. Have the flow wide open and just let it run.

 

[Lurch72]

They tank a weeks or so to break in. Have the flow wide open and just let it run.

So just take the collection cup off and let it go?

 

[Xam]

They tank a weeks or so to break in. Have the flow wide open and just let it run.

^^^that yep. I ran mine with the skimmer cup off... a few hours a day, and then at night when I wasn't near the tank because the fizzy sound was annoying :p It should settle down in time. The time seems varied. Mine took about a week to settle down.

With that said, I also reported the issue to the manufacturer, knowing that they would say what I already knew.... however... now I had a paper trail just in case it turned out to be something wrong with the skimmer.

Hope that helps.

 

[ScottieB]

You are doing everything right. But I would think you may just leave the skimmer off while the tank cycles... it will settle down later and become much easier to dial in after the cycle.

 

[ReefGeezer]

Adding ammonia shouldn't cause any issues. Just take the cup off & let it run. It'll settle down in a week or two. You really don't need it now anyway, but letting in break in is a good idea.

 

[Lurch72]

So I've been running the skimmer full blast without collection cup since the day I made this post. It's still doing the same thing. No matter the setting, the collection cup is full within a few minutes. However after stumbling into a thread about JB waterweld causing skimmers to go crazy, I'm wondering if this is my problem? If so, is their any media I could run that would clear this out of the water? The JB weld has been in the tank since the day it was filled, just over 3 weeks now. I used 4 ounces in the aquascape.

 

[Waynerock]

I ran mine 110ss in old tank water for a week or so when I first got it. You can take some vinegar on a paper towel and rub down the insides that will help eat off the factory oils quick

 

[IslandLifeReef]

Do you still have bubbles coming out of the control tube? That should not ever happen. If there are still bubbles coming out of it, have you checked for blockages?

 

[Lurch72]

Do you still have bubbles coming out of the control tube? That should not ever happen. If there are still bubbles coming out of it, have you checked for blockages?

I'm not sure at the moment. I think it will depending on the setting of the control tube. I just started a 24 hour shift so I will check tomorrow.

 

[theMeat]

It can take a week or three

 

[Lurch72]

Do you still have bubbles coming out of the control tube? That should not ever happen. If there are still bubbles coming out of it, have you checked for blockages?

No, no bubbles out of the pipe. Still overflowing though.

 

[IslandLifeReef]

Ok, just wait for it to break in. I have that same skimmer. You can take the lid off of the cup and just let it overflow back into the tank. I would also set it to max, to keep the water level lower in the chamber.

 

[Lurch72]

Ok, just wait for it to break in. I have that same skimmer. You can take the lid off of the cup and just let it overflow back into the tank. I would also set it to max, to keep the water level lower in the chamber.

Thanks. How long did it take yours to break in? What is your skimmer chamber water level?

 

[IslandLifeReef]

It took about a week.

My water level is up to the top of the big chamber, right at the bottom of the cup gasket. I have mine set a little over 1.