Frustrating maintenance issues

[AquaFlow]

Maintenance Issues and other frustrations! Everytime I do water change, I have to adjust my in-sump skimmer so it won't overflow. Once I get it set right again, it will work fine until my next water change. Any idea what I'm doing wrong? Also noticed today that one of big flat-sided rocks that I attached with aquarium silicone back in Feb. has come off and another one is starting to come loose. Should I just leave them off ( and have a big blank spot on the back (inside) of my tank or try to reattach? i do have some lifestock in my tank.

 

[P-Dub]

Maintenance Issues and other frustrations! Everytime I do water change, I have to adjust my in-sump skimmer so it won't overflow. Once I get it set right again, it will work fine until my next water change. Any idea what I'm doing wrong? Also noticed today that one of big flat-sided rocks that I attached with aquarium silicone back in Feb. has come off and another one is starting to come loose. Should I just leave them off ( and have a big blank spot on the back (inside) of my tank or try to reattach? i do have some lifestock in my tank.

What is your source water? What salt do you use? What other maintenance tasks are performed at the same time you perform a water change? What skimmer do you have? How deep in the sump is your skimmer? What tank and sump do you have?

 

[AquaFlow]

I have 55 gallon DT with a 10 gal sump using a Reef Octopus INT-110 in about 7 inches of water. I buy my saltwater pre-mixed from my LFS. I'm actually in the process of also changing out my substrate so I'm kicking up alot of detritus as well but I seem to have this issue whenever I've done a 15 gallon water change every other week.

 

[lvsuckerfish]

Wouldn't it be easier just to Turn off the skimmer before you do the water change? The once all the water levels are back to normal then turn it back on or am I missing something here?

I am assuming you are turning the return pump off and pulling water from the display tank, but leaving the skimmer running. I do not do water changes often I just top off on my tank but I will normally turn everything off in my sump and I remove the Skimmer Cup for Cleaning.

 

[George81]

I have 55 gallon DT with a 10 gal sump using a Reef Octopus INT-110 in about 7 inches of water. I buy my saltwater pre-mixed from my LFS. I'm actually in the process of also changing out my substrate so I'm kicking up alot of detritus as well but I seem to have this issue whenever I've done a 15 gallon water change every other week.

I have the same issue with me reef octopus classic 150 int, it pulls out good skimmate but it’s so finicky, I find I have to adjust it every water change and sometimes between when it decides to nuts and start overflowing when nothing is going on, I’ve also had it stop sucking in air a few times. Overall I’m not impressed with the skimmer. I hate having to adjust it almost weekly.

 

[P-Dub]

I have 55 gallon DT with a 10 gal sump using a Reef Octopus INT-110 in about 7 inches of water. I buy my saltwater pre-mixed from my LFS. I'm actually in the process of also changing out my substrate so I'm kicking up alot of detritus as well but I seem to have this issue whenever I've done a 15 gallon water change every other week.

Interesting. I would have to think it might be your source water for the water change barring any other maintenance done at the same time. Since you didn't indicate what other maintenance tasks you perform at the same time as the water changes, that is all I can surmise. 15 gallons seems like a lot to me for a 65 gal total system volume. Are you heavily stocked with fish and other livestock that dictates that large of a water change? For shiggles and gicks, try 10% of your total volume every week or every other week. Are you stocking up and storing water for the water changes or do you just buy the premade when you do a change?

 

[AquaFlow]

Wouldn't it be easier just to Turn off the skimmer before you do the water change? The once all the water levels are back to normal then turn it back on or am I missing something here?

I am assuming you are turning the return pump off and pulling water from the display tank, but leaving the skimmer running. I do not do water changes often I just top off on my tank but I will normally turn everything off in my sump and I remove the Skimmer Cup for Cleaning.

I'm actually turning everything off, including the skimmer, during the water change.

 

[AquaFlow]

Interesting. I would have to think it might be your source water for the water change barring any other maintenance done at the same time. Since you didn't indicate what other maintenance tasks you perform at the same time as the water changes, that is all I can surmise. 15 gallons seems like a lot to me for a 65 gal total system volume. Are you heavily stocked with fish and other livestock that dictates that large of a water change? For shiggles and gicks, try 10% of your total volume every week or every other week. Are you stocking up and storing water for the water changes or do you just buy the premade when you do a change?

Guess I need to re-think my water changes. For some reason, the first LFS I went to said I should do a 20% water change every couple of weeks so that's why I was doing 15 gals. Right now I only have 1 peppermint shrimp, 1 tomato clown, and a small CUC. I am switching out my substrate a little at time so that is also kicking up a lot of detritus. As far as my water storage, I usually buy 15 gals of premade saltwater and some RODI water and keep it until my next change. I'll certainly give your method a try. That sounds like a lot less work. Thanks for the advice.

 

[lvsuckerfish]

Guess I need to re-think my water changes. For some reason, the first LFS I went to said I should do a 20% water change every couple of weeks so that's why I was doing 15 gals. Right now I only have 1 peppermint shrimp, 1 tomato clown, and a small CUC. I am switching out my substrate a little at time so that is also kicking up a lot of detritus. As far as my water storage, I usually buy 15 gals of premade saltwater and some RODI water and keep it until my next change. I'll certainly give your method a try. That sounds like a lot less work. Thanks for the advice.

I must of read wrong earlier I thought you were just doing water changes right now. With that little amount of Live Stock I would even push it out to once a Month just stay up on top off with RODI. Of course this is after the swap of the substrate. Really it is not even65g depending on the amount of rock you have you maybe more towards the 45-50 mark but 5g water changes every other week is not bad either. Are you rinsing your new substrate real good before adding to the system? Some will say okay to wash with regular water I do not agree with that as I try my best to give my system the best water I can I do not want to risk Chlorine or any other bad chemicals to my system after I try so hard to keep it all out.

So I am guessing your skimmer is going nuts after you shift the sand. You could either let the skimmer pull all it can out ( what I would do) or turn it off until everything settles. You may need to add some more SW after the skimmer calms down. No algae Blooms?

 

[P-Dub]

I'd have to agree that water changes that large and often, with such little livestock, are likely unnecessary. Been running my 125 gal tank for just about 1 year now. High flow, low turnover, bare bottom, heavily stocked and I have done a total of two 20% water changes in the first 8 months. 4 months ago I decided to install the DOS to execute a 1.7-gallon water change every night. I can't say that I find it necessary or even if there is that much of a difference. I am doing it more or less to replenish trace elements and perhaps provide some piece of mind. Mind you, my setup is just that, mine and what works for me may not necessarily work for you. Keep a check on your parameters as you make any gradual changes.

 

[P-Dub]

Mine...

 

[AquaFlow]

I must of read wrong earlier I thought you were just doing water changes right now. With that little amount of Live Stock I would even push it out to once a Month just stay up on top off with RODI. Of course this is after the swap of the substrate. Really it is not even65g depending on the amount of rock you have you maybe more towards the 45-50 mark but 5g water changes every other week is not bad either. Are you rinsing your new substrate real good before adding to the system? Some will say okay to wash with regular water I do not agree with that as I try my best to give my system the best water I can I do not want to risk Chlorine or any other bad chemicals to my system after I try so hard to keep it all out.

So I am guessing your skimmer is going nuts after you shift the sand. You could either let the skimmer pull all it can out ( what I would do) or turn it off until everything settles. You may need to add some more SW after the skimmer calms down. No algae Blooms?

I am still removing the old substrate but will definitely rinse my new once I get to that point. Thanks again!

 

[madweazl]

I'd suspect something is getting in your source water at the LFS that is causing your skimmer issues. Try mixing up your own and see what happens (it shouldn't). Have you tested (salinity, alkalinity, calcium etc.) the water you're getting there?

 

[ryeguyy84]

Could be the LFS us using a water conditioner in their water. I think something's in the water. I've had the RO 110int and now the 150int, I rarely have to adjust the skimmer.

 

[Jay Z]

I did notice on mine my salt mix tank had developed a brownish tint to it. I couldn’t see it in the tank, but stuck to the inside of my solo cups. When ever I would add it the skimmer went nuts (nyos). Ended up emptying my salt mix tank, bleaching it, and refilling it. No issues after that.

I think I had failed to properly sterilize this tank when I picked it up. (40 acrylic from lfs, used)