Another overflowing skimmer post...

[PatD]

Sooo....I was reluctant to post this because there are SO many existing posts, videos, topics on the subject BUT I just cannot get my Bubble Magus Curve Elite to stop overflowing.
Did the vinegar bath, has been in sump for over 4 weeks - mind you its a new tank so that was only cycling with no livestock - fishless cycle with live sand and Dr Tim's.

I have raised and lowered the skimmer level, adjusted the gate valve to each end and everywhere in between. Nothing much changes and TBH I have little faith this will somehow resolve my overflow issue following more time, more organics or just letting it 'break in' any longer because it has not changed a lick since day 1.

I have broken in several skimmers before and never had this much trouble. One of my last resorts is to add a ball valve to the air intake line but it just seems this should be so unnecessary - plus I know many others run it without any such valve added.

One question....there is water 'trapped' inside the hollow water output adjustment tube. I cant really see how it gets in or out of that tube and I'm not sure this is relevant at all to the issue?
Thoughts?

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

I've ran a curve 5 and 7 before. Not the newer ones or dc or elites... how deep water are you in?
D

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Post pics?
D

 

[PatD]

I've ran a curve 5 and 7 before. Not the newer ones or dc or elites... how deep water are you in?
D

I've had it everywhere from 10" down to 4". Sits naturally at around 9"

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Ya I prob had mine in 7 or 8"... on a stand in a 29g tall sump.
Have you taken it apart and reassembled it correctly? Maybe u did it wrong or maybe something is wrong when u got it... ?
D

 

[PatD]

Ya I prob had mine in 7 or 8"... on a stand in a 29g tall sump.
Have you taken it apart and reassembled it correctly? Maybe u did it wrong or maybe something is wrong when u got it... ?
D

About a dozen times....and watched every video and tip out there
I get the least overflow the higher I raise it....like if I put it at about 4" water it will only trickle out of the overflow tube but that's obviously kind of ridiculous.

 

[PatD]

Post pics?
D

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Ya all you can do is have the outflow pipe full open and raise it up. Id put it up like 4".
D

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Open and closed can not get swapped around on the outpipe? Mine was a lot more simple with out the knob. Just a white tube basically you turned left or right to open and close the opening.
Lol. Hope im not beating u to.death.
D

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

I built mine with pvc.couplings and a piece of glass.
D

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Maybe after break in and running awhile your nutrients will go down and you can lower the skimmer and remove the stand. Idk. My guess.
D

 

[PatD]

Open and closed can not get swapped around on the outpipe? Mine was a lot more simple with out the knob. Just a white tube basically you turned left or right to open and close the opening.
Lol. Hope im not beating u to.death.
D

The gate valve turns 360 from fully open to fully closed....and it doesnt seem to make much difference what position I put it in.
I can pinch off the line from the venturi and it will stop the overflow so I know if I put a ball valve on it I will be able to control it....just not sure why I should have to do this.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Take skimmer out. Turn knob. See where "open" is.
Replace skimmer. Raise skimmer. Turn skimmer on. Lol.
Wait.
D

 

[PatD]

Take skimmer out. Turn knob. See where "open" is.
Replace skimmer. Raise skimmer. Turn skimmer on. Lol.
Wait.
D

I know where full open is....but setting it there doesnt seem to help change the overflow issue much.
Anyhow - I appreciate your input.
Raise and wait it till be.
Without livestock or organics I have no urgency at all....and it will be at least another 2-3 weeks before I put anything in.

 

[Djhype97]

Just put in a regular BM7 in my tank after it cycled. I had the same problem with it overflowing in my sump. My sumos water level is about 9 1/2 inches. I let it run for a day with the knob at MAX. Then today I raised it up 2 inches with some pvc. It’s working good today and moved the setting to a 3. I hope you figured yours out