Chemi Clean and my Skimmer

[Siberwulf]

So I dosed the recommended amount of Chemiclean 2.5 days ago and ran the skimmer the whole time. It was SO much that I had to end up just recycling it into the tank. It's went absolutely crazy. I'm assuming extended output is normal, but it felt...like a lot. I did my best not to freak out, and just kept things going. I did the 20% WC at the 48 hour mark and frankly, things have not calmed down. My NO3 is reading 9.4 right now, even with recycling back into the tank.

Should I just keep running things like this and let my Chaeto suck up the NO3 as it's generated?

Do I need to do another WC to pull something I'm not testing for out of the tank? The Cynano is mostly gone at this point (thank the Lord) but I just don't want things to swing into another direction.

 

[mta_morrow]

So I dosed the recommended amount of Chemiclean 2.5 days ago and ran the skimmer the whole time. It was SO much that I had to end up just recycling it into the tank. It's went absolutely crazy. I'm assuming extended output is normal, but it felt...like a lot. I did my best not to freak out, and just kept things going. I did the 20% WC at the 48 hour mark and frankly, things have not calmed down. My NO3 is reading 9.4 right now, even with recycling back into the tank.

Should I just keep running things like this and let my Chaeto suck up the NO3 as it's generated?

Do I need to do another WC to pull something I'm not testing for out of the tank? The Cynano is mostly gone at this point (thank the Lord) but I just don't want things to swing into another direction.

I use chemi clean at least twice a year. First time freaked me out as well.

you did the right thing by leaving the skimmer run and drain into the tank.

I will typically back off on feeding for a few days since my skimmer isn’t really working.

I do a 30% wc and add my carbon back in.

it is highly recommended to run carbon after the wc. It will calm your skimmer down much faster.

 

[areefer01]

So I dosed the recommended amount of Chemiclean 2.5 days ago and ran the skimmer the whole time. It was SO much that I had to end up just recycling it into the tank. It's went absolutely crazy. I'm assuming extended output is normal, but it felt...like a lot. I did my best not to freak out, and just kept things going. I did the 20% WC at the 48 hour mark and frankly, things have not calmed down. My NO3 is reading 9.4 right now, even with recycling back into the tank.

Should I just keep running things like this and let my Chaeto suck up the NO3 as it's generated?

Do I need to do another WC to pull something I'm not testing for out of the tank? The Cynano is mostly gone at this point (thank the Lord) but I just don't want things to swing into another direction.

The skimmer working overtime is normal, and expected. Take the lid off and let it run into the sump / overflow. Do another water change in a couple days or let it ride out. If it is a DC pump you can turn it down and manage it that way.

FYI: per their FAQ:
Your skimmer is working overtime to remove the leftover Chemiclean residue left in your system. If this excessive flow is too much you may dilute the Chemiclean remaining in your system by performing additional water changes. The replacement of your chemical filtration will also help. If your protein skimmer is in a sump, remove the collection cup to allow the skimmate to overflow into the sump area. This process will cease in a few hours to a few days.

 

[Siberwulf]

I use chemi clean at least twice a year. First time freaked me out as well.

you did the right thing by leaving the skimmer run and drain into the tank.

I will typically back off on feeding for a few days since my skimmer isn’t really working.

I do a 30% wc and add my carbon back in.

it is highly recommended to run carbon after the wc. It will calm your skimmer down much faster.

I'm going for the full triton method right now, so I'm not actively running any other filtration aside from my fuge and skimmer. Will that carbon pull out something my fuge won't (even though it may take longer). I'm ok to run elevated nitrates for a while, my Zoas would love it.

 

[mta_morrow]

I'm going for the full triton method right now, so I'm not actively running any other filtration aside from my fuge and skimmer. Will that carbon pull out something my fuge won't (even though it may take longer). I'm ok to run elevated nitrates for a while, my Zoas would love it.

The carbon will get the remaining cc out and allow the skimmer to settle.
2 weeks after cc in my tank: