Skimmer on the wack

Meeetch · Apr 22, 2020

So recently I added a couple fish and a little more cured dry rock to my 3yr old 120g tank. The next day I notice my skimmer overflowing like crazy. I tried opening up the water level, decreasing it, nothing would slow the rate of the bubbles. I pulled the skimmer and did a full vinegar bath and cleaned all the parts. Next I raised the skimmer an inch higher in the sump. STILL foaming like crazy so I've been running carbon in a reactor for 5 days now and I am still getting the same issue. I haven't added any new chemicals, medicines, foods, etc. What am I missing here????

watdachuck · Apr 23, 2020

How long have you been using the skimmer? Are the bubbles still normal in consistency as far as size?

Sounds like there is something in the water (not necessarily dangerous) but causing a reaction in the skimmer. One thing you might try is to just let it over-skim for 24 hours and see if that helps. I am in the wet-skim water change club. Just turn off your ATO and and raise the water level in your sump, while keeping an eye on salinity. If there are smaller particulates causing the recent reaction this could help quickly remove them.

Meeetch · Apr 23, 2020

watdachuck said:
How long have you been using the skimmer? Are the bubbles still normal in consistency as far as size?

Sounds like there is something in the water (not necessarily dangerous) but causing a reaction in the skimmer. One thing you might try is to just let it over-skim for 24 hours and see if that helps. I am in the wet-skim water change club. Just turn off your ATO and and raise the water level in your sump, while keeping an eye on salinity. If there are smaller particulates causing the recent reaction this could help quickly remove them.

Skimmer has been running 3 years, not issues. Bubbles seem the same size, just way more foam overflowing. It only takes about 5 seconds to reach the top and fill the cup quickly.

Water Dog · Apr 23, 2020

Did you use epoxy to glue the new rock in place? Epoxy is notorious for making skimmers go nuts for a few days after use.

Meeetch · Apr 23, 2020

Water Dog said:
Did you use epoxy to glue the new rock in place? Epoxy is notorious for making skimmers go nuts for a few days after use.

I used the JB Welder 2 part, like half a stick

Water Dog · Apr 23, 2020

Yup, that’ll do it. Give it a few days, it’ll eventually settle down.

vetteguy53081 · Apr 23, 2020

I had the same issue yesterday with BM curve 5 and the tube that runs down to the pump was clogged although it controls air and the impeller had muck and snails shells within. Cleaned it up and runs like a charm.

Meeetch · Apr 23, 2020

Water Dog said:
Yup, that’ll do it. Give it a few days, it’ll eventually settle down.

So just keep running my carbon? I emptied about 4 skimmer cups very quickly. Should I keep just skimming a few cups and new water, skim, add water you think?

Water Dog · Apr 23, 2020

I would adjust it so that the output flow is wide open, dropping the water level in the skimmer so it doesn’t overflow the cup as fast. Let it run for a few days. It will settle down once the epoxy cures. Then slowly adjust to previous levels to get skimming again.

See post #3 in this thread for an explanation of what is happening with the epoxy.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/skimmer-going-crazy-for-days-is-epoxy-this-dirty.580331/