API MelaFix Skimmer problem

Neo Jeo · Jun 30, 2018

I used melafix marine to solve a bacterial problem on my fish . I stopped using the product two weeks ago and have done two water changes and replace the carbon let the carbon run for a few days but my skimmer still goes crazy I understand that that is a side effect of the product and it also says that on a bottle but seriously how long will it last I cannot get my skimmer into check after I use the product. my tank still has a slight smell of that medication so I’m assuming it’s still in the water somewhere .

Any suggestion ?

EmdeReef · Jun 30, 2018

The main ingredient of melafix, tea tree oil, is insoluble in water so may take a while.

I’d go with more water changes, increasing GAC contact time and emptying your skimmer cup often.

Neo Jeo · Jun 30, 2018

EmdeReef said:
The main ingredient of melafix, tea tree oil, is insoluble in water so may take a while.

I’d go with more water changes, increasing GAC contact time and emptying your skimmer cup often.

GAC?

EmdeReef · Jun 30, 2018

Neo Jeo said:
GAC?

Carbon

Neo Jeo · Jun 30, 2018

Cool. I guess it will take time lol. Doing water change again.

EmdeReef · Jun 30, 2018

Good luck! Going forward always best to treat outside your display tank - though we all know that's often easier said than done...

Neo Jeo · Jun 30, 2018

EmdeReef said:
Good luck! Going forward always best to treat outside your display tank - though we all know that's often easier said than done...

True.. it was a natural so I figured it wasn’t too bad

Neo Jeo · Jul 8, 2018

I’m on my 3rd water change and I have replaced the carbon. I let my skimmer run and I keep getting crazy bubbles. It will not skim.

Any advice? Do I need to clean the skimmer? It’s only been in the tank little over a month

Neo Jeo · Jul 8, 2018

I just added 2 cups more of carbon and put it on a bag under my filter shock

EmdeReef · Jul 8, 2018

are you emptying the skimmer cup or letting it overfill in the tank? Also was the skimmer broken down?

Do you have a carbon reactor or add in bags?

I’d take out the skimmer for a couple days and let carbon work, you can clean the skimmer in the meantime. Perhaps increase flow a bit to compensate for aeration loss.

Neo Jeo · Jul 8, 2018

EmdeReef said:
are you emptying the skimmer cup or letting it overfill in the tank? Also was the skimmer broken down?

Do you have a carbon reactor or add in bags?

I’d take out the skimmer for a couple days and let carbon work, you can clean the skimmer in the meantime. Perhaps increase flow a bit to compensate for aeration loss.

I’m letting the skimmer overflow and it drains back into the sump. I have a reactor with gfo and I just addded and extra bad to my shock area. The skimmer was broken in if that’s what you’re asking. It was skimming great until I added that med.

EmdeReef · Jul 8, 2018

I think your skimmer picks up the oily residue and then dumps it back in the sump. If you can try putting the cup on and emptying it that would help remove it. If the cup would be overflowing too much I’d go without skimmer for a few days.

Neo Jeo · Jul 8, 2018

EmdeReef said:
I think your skimmer picks up the oily residue and then dumps it back in the sump. If you can try putting the cup on and emptying it that would help remove it. If the cup would be overflowing too much I’d go without skimmer for a few days.

Ya it’s overflowing like crazy. Fills the cup in seconds. I have waited 3 weeks lol

Neo Jeo · Jul 13, 2018

Seems like that extra bag of carbon worked. I ran my skimmer and let it drain back into the tank. Now it's finally acting normal. It already has a 1" of dark green slime and my algae that was growing on my sand bed is gone lol. Skimmers really do work!

Thanks for the help

XLOR8T · Jul 29, 2018

Neo Jeo said:
Seems like that extra bag of carbon worked. I ran my skimmer and let it drain back into the tank. Now it's finally acting normal. It already has a 1" of dark green slime and my algae that was growing on my sand bed is gone lol. Skimmers really do work!

Thanks for the help

Hey I just starting treating with Melafix too. Cloudy eye on new fish after I picked it up from qt guy. Unfortunately notice after he was in the display and didn’t want stress them all trying to catch the sick fish.

How long did you treat for ? Did you run carbon in a reactor or just in bags? I have a carbon reactor that I turned off as per instructions.

I took gfo off too not sure if I can run it. My phosphates are still high. 0.84.

Neo Jeo · Jul 29, 2018

XLOR8T said:
Hey I just starting treating with Melafix too. Cloudy eye on new fish after I picked it up from qt guy. Unfortunately notice after he was in the display and didn’t want stress them all trying to catch the sick fish.

How long did you treat for ? Did you run carbon in a reactor or just in bags? I have a carbon reactor that I turned off as per instructions.

I took gfo off too not sure if I can run it. My phosphates are still high. 0.84.

You can’t run carbon or gfo when using that product. I had to turn my protine skimmer for like 3 weeks . I used it for 7 days I don’t know about your situation tho. After I did many water changes and ran extra carbon to get it out.

XLOR8T · Jul 30, 2018

Neo Jeo said:
You can’t run carbon or gfo when using that product. I had to turn my protine skimmer for like 3 weeks . I used it for 7 days I don’t know about your situation tho. After I did many water changes and ran extra carbon to get it out.

Did you run carbon in media bags or reactor?

Neo Jeo · Jul 30, 2018

XLOR8T said:
Did you run carbon in media bags or reactor?

After I was done with the meds I did both but normally I just do refractor

TeresaRN · Mar 22, 2019

Thanks for asking that question! I did the same you did and now I know I need to:
-frequent water changes
-empty the skimmer (oily water)
-add extra carbon in bags and reactor

Never doing this again!