Skimmer problem Help please!

[bangoo]

I just came back from out of town trip last night, and found out that my skimmer collection cup was overflowing with bubbles and it got all over my back wall and etc. As soon as I plug the skimmer in, then the bubbles will start to overflow as if the skimmer is out of control. I checked the skimmer out but could not find anything unusual. Anybody have any ideas? Suprisingly, there is not much bubbles coming in to my tank.

 

[Murfman]

Has your water level changed since you left? What about something that might have accidentally been added to the water? Something via air?

 

[cmcneil]

What kind of skimmer is it?what depth water is it sitting in?also as asked above any new additives added?Is the airline/venturi clear?

 

[bangoo]

Thanks for the input. Nothing has changed, same water level, no additives. I took the skimmer out and did couple of runs in the bucket using my spare pump and same results. The water was just overflowing all over the skimmer. So I gave up and just put the skimmer back in to the tank for now. I decided to start the skimmer one last time just to see, and now its working as if nothing ever happened. That was strange.

 

[Murfman]

Sounds like the salt may be encrusting inside the air line of the volute. I have to clean mine out weekly.

 

[Troylee]

When in doubt give it a vinegar bath it seems to cure over half the problems with skimmer lol.... It sounds like you had some thing clogging the airline or stuck to the impeller etc....

 

[bangoo]

Thanks for all the inputs. I'll try to see if anything is stuck.

 

[cmcneil]

What skimmer is it?it helps to know since every skimmer has it's own quirks or issues.