What's going on with my skimmer?

[gar732]

Ok, about a week and a half ago I got my DIY skimmer going, here is a link for the skimmer https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/do-yourself-diy/50938-my-diy-skimmer-so-far-some.html. I've had some work done to my house so I had the entire tank with covered with plastic for about 4 or 5 hrs at a time for two days so that nothing would get inside it. All the fish and coral look fine but my skimmer is going crazy. The collection cup was about 1/4-1/3 full this morning and when I got home from work the cup was full. I did have an aquac remora running on the tank until this morning but it wasn't really skimming much anyway so I took it off line. Anyone have any ideas why it might be over skimming so much? It's currently not running because at the rate that it is going the cup will be full again in about an hour or so. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[gar732]

I just tried plugging it in again and its foaming so much that the foam is coming out of the outlet. The skimmer has been running fine till today. I'm not sure what to do, anyone please HELP!

 

[nixer]

was the plastic airtight? perhaps something got through or a big drop in O2 levels
is the tank cloudy at all?

 

[gar732]

I don't think anything could have gotten in, I think a drop in O2 would be more likely since it was wrapped up tight. It's been opened up since about 1 or 2pm, if O2 is an issue how long will it take to get back to normal? The tank is clear and all fish and coral seem fine.

 

[xmetalfan99]

I would say something got in to the water to mess with the tensio n of the water causing it to overflow. Have you checked ot see if there is anything messing with the impellor?

 

[gar732]

No I didn't think to since the pump is running and sounds fine. I had the entire tank and stand from top to bottom wrapped up so that nothing would get inside.

 

[xmetalfan99]

No I didn't think to since the pump is running and sounds fine. I had the entire tank and stand from top to bottom wrapped up so that nothing would get inside.

I've had my pump running and sounding fine with my skimmer going nuts before. Just to find a bristle work or hair wrapped in the impeller. Its worth looking in to to rule things out.

 

[gar732]

Well, I've figured it out thanks to some trouble shooting with a buddy. Despite how tightly I wrapped up everything some drywall dust seems to have gotten in. I'm running carbon and I'm mixing up some water for a water change. Hopefully that takes care of it.

 

[nixer]

i figured as much. that stuff gets into everything i dont care what you tape over it.

 

[xmetalfan99]

At least you know what caused it now. Hopefully it won't do anything besides annoy your skimmer for a bit.

 

[gar732]

Everything still looks OK. You should have seen how this thing was wrapped up it looked like it was shrink wrapped but it still found its way in.

 

[nixer]

i dont think the dust contains anything seriously harmful, but some of the mold guard stuff does.

 

[gar732]

It was actually the taping compound dust but the dry way wasn't the mold guard stuff.

 

[nixer]

ive got that stuff in my tank and never had any issues with it killing anything, but i also run carbon all the time.

 

[mojo]

Gar sounds like you are on the right track. its crazy the thing around the house that cause the skimmer to go nuts. but basically if its in the air the skimmer will pull it into your tank. especially those who paint. I have even seen people what the heck cats who have the litter box close have ammonia issues

 

[nixer]

Gar sounds like you are on the right track. its crazy the thing around the house that cause the skimmer to go nuts. but basically if its in the air the skimmer will pull it into your tank. especially those who paint. I have even seen people what the heck cats who have the litter box close have ammonia issues

wow thats a good one i wouldnt of thought about that one being an issue. i would think the dust from the litter causing a problem

 

[swannyson7]

Well, I've figured it out thanks to some trouble shooting with a buddy. Despite how tightly I wrapped up everything some drywall dust seems to have gotten in. I'm running carbon and I'm mixing up some water for a water change. Hopefully that takes care of it.

Glad I could help bud! Does it seem to be running correctly now? The dust will be airborne and keep settling for a couple days so you might want to swap out your carbon again in 4 or 5 days. Give me a call if you run into more problems!

 

[gar732]

No this morning it was no better. I will do a water change as soon as I get home from work and get some more water mixing. I'll be giving you a call as I get closer to plumbing the frag tank as I'm sure I'll need some advise.

Mojo you bring up a good point, I'll have to remind the wifey to be careful when spraying stuff in the house.