Skimmer randomly overflows

[LagunaGlide]

I have en eshoppa s300 newer gen. Works great normally, but randomly it just overflows. A friend suggested maybe it was due me putting in a soapy hand or something of the sort, but I have not had my hands in the tank in days. I plan to tear it down and give it a thorough cleaning, but I can’t help but wonder what is actually causing this overflowing so often. I have about 15 pieces of coral that are ready to go into the tank, but now I think I should wait until I get the skimmer running and the water cleaned up a bit more. Any thoughts on all this appreciated.

 

[Reeferdood]

What is the depth it is sitting in? Sometimes when a skimmer is not setup correctly it will over skim.
Is it in a sump with an ATO? Water level fluctuations are critical to performance of submersible skimmers.

 

[Retro Reefer]

As was pointed out stable water level is critical to consistent skimming also feeding certain foods, some additives and filter media changes can sometimes cause temporary skimmer overflows.

 

[LagunaGlide]

In a sump with an ATO I have it set to skim slightly wet when topped off and gets dryer as it goes down

 

[LagunaGlide]

Nothing has changed from the normal in several days. Same food, no hands in tank etc

 

[Reeferdood]

Is it in a sump with baffles? If not, how much does the level go up and down between cycles of the ato?
I would set it to skim a little drier too.

 

[LagunaGlide]

There are no baffles. My sump is a large Rubbermaid tub. The change in water height is less than half an inch. I could set it dryer for sure and see how it goes. At one point I had it so dry that it wouldn’t even skim when level dropped. I guess that is better than overflowing.

 

[Retro Reefer]

There are no baffles. My sump is a large Rubbermaid tub. The change in water height is less than half an inch. I could set it dryer for sure and see how it goes. At one point I had it so dry that it wouldn’t even skim when level dropped. I guess that is better than overflowing.

That little bit of change could be causing your issues.. a baffled skimmer section doesn’t fluctuate at all

 

[Fin]

Personally, I don't think I have ever owned a skimmer that did not occasionally go crazy. A couple of things that you can do to cope: set up a float switch inside the skimmer cup and use it with a controller to shut the skimmer off when the cup is full, or get one of these - Avast Marine Davy Jones Locker skimmate collector. When the collector fills up, it will shut off the skimmer and prevent it overflowing into the sump (or floor with an external skimmer).

 

[MJNTWise]

My skimmer used to go crazy sometimes....Then I raised it up 1 inch out of water and hasn't went crazy since....try raising it up a inch and see if that helps...

 

[theMeat]

Most common cause is restricted air flow, which allows more water to be pushed through and wahlaa
Give the skimmer a vinegar bath over night and see what ya got

FWIW, omega skimmers are the most steady imo

 

[sawdonkey]

I agree on skimming drier. When skimming wet, the bubbles are so far up the neck that it just takes a little fluctuation in the water from feeding, additives, or water level, and you’re overflowing the cup.

Plus, with a drier skim, you get the good black stuff that really makes you want to puke.

Is your skimmer building up a thick foam in the neck? I find that after cleaning or adjusting the air or water flow into the skimmer, it’s best to leave the water level in the skimmer a little lower. After a day or so, the skimmer builds ups some thick foam, then I adjust a little to help push it into the cup....but not too much.

 

[Reeferdood]

If the skimmer is already set on the deep side of the recommended depth (8-9 inches) and you are having a 1/2 in fluctuation between fills of the ATO, this alone will cause issues.
Exactly how deep is the water that it is sitting in?

 

[Kegel70]

Great info here, guys! Thanks!

 

[LagunaGlide]

9 inches at highest

 

[Reeferdood]

9 inches at highest

So that is at the max depth set by the manufacturer, try to raise it up an inch and see if that helps with consistency.

 

[Dburr1014]

I had problems with my aquamaxx for a few months and couldn't figure it out. Once a month it would just overflow for no reason. What I did was adjust the air inlet down a tad and the water inlet down also. Everyday I adjusted the water up a bit until it was where I wanted. I left the air inlet alone. Been working fine since. Now once a month I just have to clean the air inlet hose from calcification.