established skimmer going crazy

[Tabasco1]

Hopefully someone has a suggestion. I have a RO INT skimmer. It looks like the current Elite model.

Elite Protein Skimmer INT (3 models available) – Reef Octopus​

reefoctopus.com

I've had this skimmer for about 3 years and has operated great. About 3 months ago I had to treat for a bacteria infection using Erythromycin. During course of treatment I needed to turn the skimmer off. After treatment was complete I turned the skimmer back on and the skimmer goes crazy. Fills the cup up in seconds. I've tried water changes, I've tried letting the skimmer run for a couple weeks, I've tried pulling the skimmer, completely disassembling the skimmer and cleaning skimmer and pump. No luck. It is still absolutely foaming like crazy.

Any thoughts about how to get it back under control?

 

[MnFish1]

Hopefully someone has a suggestion. I have a RO INT skimmer. It looks like the current Elite model.

Elite Protein Skimmer INT (3 models available) – Reef Octopus​

reefoctopus.com

I've had this skimmer for about 3 years and has operated great. About 3 months ago I had to treat for a bacteria infection using Erythromycin. During course of treatment I needed to turn the skimmer off. After treatment was complete I turned the skimmer back on and the skimmer goes crazy. Fills the cup up in seconds. I've tried water changes, I've tried letting the skimmer run for a couple weeks, I've tried pulling the skimmer, completely disassembling the skimmer and cleaning skimmer and pump. No luck. It is still absolutely foaming like crazy.

Any thoughts about how to get it back under control?

Yes -

One solution I used in this situation is I drained my skim mate into a 5 gallon bucket - and just replaced it with fresh salt water. when the water level got too low. its kind of like wet-skimming - but it will get rid of it.

Otherwise - 1. I would run the skimmer - with the top off so that the skim mate goes into the sump (I assume you have a sump) as you have already done. 2. At the same time - start carbon (activated) - to adsorb the erythromycin. 3. Water changes - and you may need to do 2-3 30%. If you want you can follow some of the directions for removing Chemiclean (which I believe also contains e-myci)n. My guess is that you used a higher dose.

PS - thats assuming - that as you said - that there are no blockages, etc. You can try raising the skimmer higher in the sump - opening up all the valves (assume you did that already). It may be left over erythromycin - or organics are high from the treatment. Hope this helps.

 

[watdachuck]

Similar to what MnFish1 said, when I want something out of the water I open the drain to my skimmer collection and flood the sump with fresh saltwater. I wet skim heavy a few times and it usually does the trick. Great way to do a water “exchange” in my opinion as well.