Do all venturi skimmer overflow?

laguest · Nov 3, 2019

Hi,

I have a SCA-302 that we bought used when we started our tank (2 years ago). I hate this thing, it always overflows, I can never get a good skim, when I turn it up to get the foam in the neck I come back a day later and its overflowing. I am thinking on buying a new skimmer (maybe Red Sea RSK-300 since it will fit). I just did a deep clean so maybe that will help, but I wonder if I get a new skimmer with a good pump it will help this problem.

Or, it does not matter, in the end any skimmer will overflow?

I have the skimmer in the 1st chamber so the water level really never changes, if it does it only by 1/4 in. Now the filter sock is in the same chamber and that can get backed up up, but the water level still does not change.

Thanks

Dragon52 · Nov 3, 2019

It took me the better part of a year to get my Nyos 160 where it finally skims pretty good now. It really came down to getting the water level correct & setting it up so that the bubbles hit in the right spot with the cup off. I also have mine in the 1st chamber of the sump, Trigger Systems Sapphire 34.

Water Dog · Nov 4, 2019

Technically, you’re using a needlewheel skimmer, not a venturi driven skimmer. But semantics aside, how big is your tank and what do you have for livestock? How are you cleaning and rinsing your filter socks? Is the volute clear of salt creep (where the airline hose connects to the skimmer pump)? All of these things will factor into skimmer performance and consistency.

reeftivo · Nov 4, 2019

overflows can happen but usually can be remedied by routine maintenance and keeping the volute and air intake clean. Obviously, there are some caveat's like an unexpected die off etc..

just keep up on maintenance

a couple skimmers come to mind that have engineered overflow prevention designs.

they are the tunze hydrofoamer series 9410++ and the new Deltecs

jda · Nov 4, 2019

All skimmers can overflow. It is in the cup design to shut down if you use a skimmate locker. None of them have to if you design them correctly.

My lifereefs are pretty good, but they would overflow if I put something in there to make them mad (like a med or ChemiClean).

laguest · Nov 4, 2019

Dragon52 said:
It took me the better part of a year to get my Nyos 160 where it finally skims pretty good now. It really came down to getting the water level correct & setting it up so that the bubbles hit in the right spot with the cup off. I also have mine in the 1st chamber of the sump, Trigger Systems Sapphire 34.

Wow a year, that seems like a long time. I was just looking at the Nyos 120 and it seemed to be built very well.

laguest · Nov 4, 2019

jda said:
All skimmers can overflow. It is in the cup design to shut down if you use a skimmate locker. None of them have to if you design them correctly.

My lifereefs are pretty good, but they would overflow if I put something in there to make them mad (like a med or ChemiClean).

My friend says I should just save up my money and go with a lifereef

Mical · Nov 4, 2019

I have a bubble magus curve 5 and it took about 2 hours to settle down and the only time it overflows when I dose meds or heavily overfeed.

Barnabie Mejia · Nov 4, 2019

laguest said:
My friend says I should just save up my money and go with a lifereef

I went with a reef octopus, and its working good. pretty easy to dial in, it doesn't have the cool factor that Nyos and other brands do, but it barely fit my budget (just don't tell my wife what I really paid for it! haha) (no really don't.)

Dragon52 · Nov 4, 2019

laguest said:
Wow a year, that seems like a long time. I was just looking at the Nyos 120 and it seemed to be built very well.

They are & CS is great to, they've had to replace the pump 4 times, after some time running & I clean it , when I plug it back in the pump will run but wont pull any air in until I start raising & lowering the whole skimmer a few times.
It's a known issue & why I haven't recommended it as a result.