Epoxy Skimmer Overflow - Omega 150

[alten78]

Hello All,

I absolutely cringe anytime I have to use a 2 part epoxy in the tank. Usually im using JB's Water Weld but when I do, my Vertex Omega 150 loses its mind for a few weeks. This skimmer has been the finickiest things I've ever owned but when its working as it should it is awesome.

Typically I will try to coordinate a water change and GAC change right after I know that I will be using epoxy, but even that doesn't appear to help too much so I'll leave the top off and drain plug open but waiting a week or longer is getting old. I believe it is sitting in 8.5" of water, raising it sometimes appears to help but once it settles down it doesn't perform as well plus its not exactly easy to constantly be moving it up and down.

Any other tips to calm this thing down?

 

[don_chuwish]

I have the same skimmer but haven't used any epoxy with it running. Tunze Coral gum doesn't seem to make skimmers go nuts. Same with moldable plastic beads.
My skimmer has been going nuts for a week now because of a tank restart, including a complete skimmer cleaning. Behaving just like it was new. Getting old though!

 

[MaddyP]

I have the same skimmer but haven't used any epoxy with it running. Tunze Coral gum doesn't seem to make skimmers go nuts. Same with moldable plastic beads.
My skimmer has been going nuts for a week now because of a tank restart, including a complete skimmer cleaning. Behaving just like it was new. Getting old though!

I have moved to using moldable plastic for all corals (Instamorph from Amazon). Holds corals well and doesn't affect skimming, also a Omega 150.

https://www.amazon.com/InstaMorph-M...TF8&qid=1491425718&sr=8-6&keywords=instamorph

 

[GoVols]

Putty's effect all skimmer brands but only for a couple of days.
The V-150 is well known to be finicky all by itself and they don't stay dialed in, not counting the putty residue.
Have you tried GAC to absorb the residue?

Regards, GoVols

 

[Jisko]

I don't know if it helps but I run carbon when I'm adding new corals because of the epoxy making my skimmer for crazy... last a few hours then back to normal

 

[alten78]

Thanks all.

Yes, I make it a point to change out to fresh GAC every time i know I will be using epoxy. Definitely will be checking out the Instamorph!

 

[BlueZreef]

What always seems to do the trick for me is a "wet skim water change". It's simple, all I do is put my skimmer drain in a new 5 gal bucket and let it go nuts overflowing in the bucket (usually turn it up to help it along).

Then use your ATO with freshly mixed saltwater to replenish. After 5 gals most all overflow fiesta issues are gone.

 

[alten78]

What always seems to do the trick for me is a "wet skim water change". It's simple, all I do is put my skimmer drain in a new 5 gal bucket and let it go nuts overflowing in the bucket (usually turn it up to help it along).

Then use your ATO with freshly mixed saltwater to replenish. After 5 gals most all overflow fiesta issues are gone.

Interesting, i will give this a shot too. Does it typically take an entire 5 gallons or more?

 

[BlueZreef]

It's going to depend on water volume and how much of whatever is causing the overflow is in the water column. Typically 5 gals would resolve it 99% of the time for me on both my 210 and my smaller 45.

 

[BlueZreef]

Also you'll notice it going nuts for the first gallon or so then slowing down gallon by gallon. I use 5 gal jugs for mixing anyways so I will either close the skimmer outlet or turn up my DC pump to finish off the 5 gals. Typically after returning the skimmer to normal after doing this the foam level will stay down for a few hours before resuming normal skimming again.