Sump foam (not slimmer)

[FishGuyBri]

Ok so my tank is up and running, starting to do its thing. I have two questions. First- here's my background. I'm new to the hobbit. Taking my sweet time. Finally filled yesterday. SG 1.025. Used 80# live sand and 50# reef rock 2.1. Sump is Eshopps R-200 and skimmer is Reef Octopus INT-150. Here are the two questions:

1) skimmer is off- if I turn it on, it overfills in less than a minute even with the gate all the way open. It's at 7.75" and I even tried 6" with no luck. I'm assuming I should just leave it off for now. I think it may be due to the live sand. Does this sound ok?
2) my sump in the drain section is making so much foam it's coming back out the lid! This is with skimmer off. The foam literally comes right out the top. Does this sound weird? I'm hoping that it goes away or is there something I should/could be doing?

 

[KJAG]

New skimmers will have a break in period before they settle down so that is to be expected. The sumo foam thing is another story though and perhaps someone else can comment.

 

[FishGuyBri]

New skimmers will have a break in period before they settle down so that is to be expected. The sumo foam thing is another story though and perhaps someone else can comment.

So for the skimmer issue, should I just let it run and overflow back into the sump? Or leave it off a while?

 

[KJAG]

Yes I would just let it run as long as it's not overflowing onto your floor of course. I understand your skimmer is turned off but is it still in the sump? If so I'd be willing to wager the reason for the sump foam is the same culprit as to why your skimmer is behaving like it is: remnant oils, films etc secondary to the manufacturing process that have yet to be removed from the system.
You could attempt a vinegar soak for the skimmer which would strip these films, however they're still likely to be present in the system since the skimmer has already been introduced out-of-the-box.

 

[FishGuyBri]

Yes I would just let it run as long as it's not overflowing onto your floor of course. I understand your skimmer is turned off but is it still in the sump? If so I'd be willing to wager the reason for the sump foam is the same culprit as to why your skimmer is behaving like it is: remnant oils, films etc secondary to the manufacturing process that have yet to be removed from the system.
You could attempt a vinegar soak for the skimmer which would strip these films, however they're still likely to be present in the system since the skimmer has already been introduced out-of-the-box.

I think I should have soaked it overnight? I read after I did it to use full strength vinegar. I used half strength and wiped it down. Next time, lol. Will it eventually clear up?

 

[4FordFamily]

That much foam in sump indicates to me that you need the skimmer badly, unless you've added some meds to the tank

 

[KJAG]

That much foam in sump indicates to me that you need the skimmer badly, unless you've added some meds to the tank

It's a brand new build

 

[4FordFamily]

It's a brand new build

Sometimes when you add new rock and sand there's dieoff that creates the immense need for skimming and lots of such foam.

 

[KJAG]

Sometimes when you add new rock and sand there's dieoff that creates the immense need for skimming and lots of such foam.

Right. Just thought you might've missed the new build portion since you mentioned Meds. ;)

 

[FishGuyBri]

Thanks to both of you for replying! It is a brand new system, no meds, I used Reef Rock 2.1 and live sand. If I turn the skimmer on, I will run out of water fast! It's literally overflowing in about 30 seconds. I'm afraid if I leave the skimmer on and it overflows, I'll get foam everywhere.

The interesting thing is that right now, with skimmer off, the drain section (with filter sock) is full of foam, but it is leveled off. It's almost like turbulence bubbles. I can stir it and it will go down, then the sock will fill back up with foam. Once full, it stops making more (except like a thumb sized amount that squeezes out the drain section lid). The display is clearing up nicely but this foam is weird.

 

[FishGuyBri]

This is after 30 seconds

 

[4FordFamily]

Right. Just thought you might've missed the new build portion since you mentioned Meds. ;)

Some people start off tanks with prazi, but yes if you don't have fish that's a little premature :D

 

[4FordFamily]

Thanks to both of you for replying! It is a brand new system, no meds, I used Reef Rock 2.1 and live sand. If I turn the skimmer on, I will run out of water fast! It's literally overflowing in about 30 seconds. I'm afraid if I leave the skimmer on and it overflows, I'll get foam everywhere.

The interesting thing is that right now, with skimmer off, the drain section (with filter sock) is full of foam, but it is leveled off. It's almost like turbulence bubbles. I can stir it and it will go down, then the sock will fill back up with foam. Once full, it stops making more (except like a thumb sized amount that squeezes out the drain section lid). The display is clearing up nicely but this foam is weird.

Turn the red dial counter clockwise to turn it "down" to make it more manageable. :)

 

[FishGuyBri]

This is after 30 seconds.

Turn the red dial counter clockwise to turn it "down" to make it more manageable. :)

It's all the way down. I've been playing with it since last night, I tried multiple different water levels and have the dial as low as possible. It's nuts! hahaha.

 

[FishGuyBri]

Would running a small bag of carbon help?

 

[4FordFamily]

This is after 30 seconds.


It's all the way down. I've been playing with it since last night, I tried multiple different water levels and have the dial as low as possible. It's nuts! hahaha.

Hmmm... I'd let it remove what it needs to and replace the water. I wouldn't worry about the skimmer overflowing it'll just overflow in to the sump. :)

 

[4FordFamily]

Would running a small bag of carbon help?

Probably wouldn't hurt

 

[FishGuyBri]

Probably wouldn't hurt

Ok so i put a teeny bag of carbon that i got with an aquaclear 30. The sump bubbles are completely gone, almost immediately. I am going to let it run a few hours and try the skimmer again. Since I'm new, i'm trying to figure this out. If the carbon made such an immediate, drastic change, that must mean it's chemical related, right?

 

[4FordFamily]

Ok so i put a teeny bag of carbon that i got with an aquaclear 30. The sump bubbles are completely gone, almost immediately. I am going to let it run a few hours and try the skimmer again. Since I'm new, i'm trying to figure this out. If the carbon made such an immediate, drastic change, that must mean it's chemical related, right?

This is over my head, this is not my highest competency-- I know carbon removes things in the water, that's about the extent of it! Haha

Now if we talk about keeping fish, particularly tangs, angels, and wrasse -- I have a lot to add :D

I'll tag in some experts #reefsquad -- can any of you answer his question above (last post)

 

[twilliard]

Carbon itself will change the surface tension of the water.
Let the skimmer do its job and pull out what is causing the water to "bubble". Eventually it will remove it all and things will run normally.
We can not define what is causing it but we can say that it will be removed.