Skimmer overflowing

[Scrappy and Happy]

I'm at wits end, my new 150 gallon tankcycled a week ago and since then the filter sock box and skimmer are both foaming heavily. That's to say the box has skimate build up on top of the socks and the skimmer is overflowing like crazy. I've tried water changes but it did not help. Before the cycle completed the skimmer was working fine and there was no foam buildup in the box with the socks. From my research, this has something todo with water tension but I can't find a way to reduce it. The water was all from an RO/DI and I'm using Red Sea salt. Parms are 0/0/3 with salinity at 1.025.

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Sounds like you have lots of organic load and your skimmer trying to catch up. I'd remove all organic debris (assuming you're using live rock) and maybe run some activated carbon.

 

[Scrappy and Happy]

So, should I do daily water changes? I'm running carbon but was thinking of ordering ROX .08 instead if using the Marineland stuff.

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Water changes may help, but you need to find the source of the foaming. Do you have a lot of organic debris on the tank? Are you washing your filter socks with detergent? Are you washing any wetted parts with soap at all?

 

[Scrappy and Happy]

No soap, I do have diatoms right now, I just assumed that was from the recent end of the cycle.

 

[abinder]

Supposedly, some filter socks when they are new can cause a skimmer to go crazy with foam. Rinse the new filter sock(s) under tap water really well and then rinse it with RO water before using it. It's possible that may be your problem.

 

[Scrappy and Happy]

I have two sets of socks, they are run through the washer without soap and then rinsed again with ro before using them.

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

If it's the filter sock, run it in your washing machine on the most aggressive cycle without soap, then rinse with RO water.

 

[reef lover]

Every time I change my socks it does that. Also when I use two part epoxy.

 

[Scrappy and Happy]

I have a bottle of Dr. Tims waste away. It's supposed to remove organics. Should I go that route?

 

[Waboss]

Have you tried pulling your filter socks out and let the skimmer run for a little while without them? That's the first thing I would try.

 

[Scrappy and Happy]

I'll try that.

 

[aaron23]

two part epoxy or filter socks cause it to overflow. each time this happens are you putting your hands in the tank?

 

[Scrappy and Happy]

No. It's been constant for slightly over a week now. Same socks and no epoxy.

 

[abinder]

Scrappy and Happy, did you ever solve your foaming problem?

 

[Jimbo662]

What type of skimmer do you have and how long has it been running? Some skimmers are recommended to overflow for a while till they break in.

 

[Scrappy and Happy]

Scrappy and Happy, did you ever solve your foaming problem?

A friend suggested ozone. I hooked it up to the skimmer and 24 hours later, it's all good.

 

[abinder]

Nice.
Thanks for the update.