HELP overflow foaming

[kwandrsn]

Ok just fired up my new setup and the overflow is bubbling real bad and causing foam.... its only in the overflow section of the sump and nowhere else...

Makes the filter sock float to the top



Is this normal? New setup and I dosed pure ammonia last night to 4ppm and the return wasnt turned on until today

 

[Humblefish]

I'm guessing the foam is probably from the ammonia, but your pic isn't working.

 

[Y-Diver]

Anyone know why this does this? I just started up a new tank (2days ago) and having same issue with foam overflowing in filter sock. If I turn skimmer on if foams like crazy as well! Life Rock and 40 lbs of live sand.

Thanks for the help

 

[Flippers4pups]

Did you use pure ammonia?

 

[Y-Diver]

I didn't add anything to my tank other than, new saltwater, 45lbs Life Rock, 40lbs of Live Sand. Here are a couple pictures of foam in sock and sump area

 

[Y-Diver]

Bump, foaming like crazy with or without sock in... no idea what would be causing? I pulled a bonehead move and forgot to wash filter sock could that be causing it?

 

[Y-Diver]

Only other idea might be the hose from overflow to the sump? See attached

 

[Flippers4pups]

I wouldn't worry about it. It's probably just excess organics from the sand. It will settle down in 24 hours. Common for this to happen. The sock isn't a worry.

 

[Y-Diver]

Thanks Flippers4Pups!

 

[Flippers4pups]

You'll be fine. Happy reefing!

 

[Bluefish9]

I can help. My tank did the exact same thing when I first fired everything up... its the life rock. I used about 90lbs of it in my 150 FOWLR. They seed it with a dormant bacteria and there is a fair amount of organic matter on it. Your skimmer will start pulling out a light tea colored skimmate from day one and therefore should be run, and run a tad wet.
The foam situation in the first chamber will settle down in like 2 days. No worries.

That said, the rock is really great stuff and looks really natural unlike other "purple rock".

EDIT- you're going to want to strap up that drain hose a little bit. At the top of that last upward bend prior to the sump, you're going to get air pockets which will:
•reduce flow
•cause more noise
•contribute to excess microbubbles

Simple fix but def do it.
Good luck with your new set up and let us know how it goes.

 

[Y-Diver]

Thank you sooooo much Bluefish9! I've already taken care of the hose, you were right, loud and less flow. Skimmer "foams" so much from the bacteria can't really run it yet as even if I get it to barely any water level and reduce to minimum flow it overflows immediately. Hopefully by this weekend it will calm down a bit!

Been a LONG time since starting a larger tank up from scratch. About how long should I wait to add fish? What about a clean up crew? With the Life Rock there's not much to "clean up" yet

 

[Maximus]

I have the same issue with the Caribsea Life Rock. My skimmer has been going nuts for the past 3 days. I have to take the skimmer cup off and just let it run. I have also performed 3 water changes of 20g each in my 90g tank and it hasn't helped. When did your skimmer finally calm down?

 

[mtraylor]

live sand will do that as well. The white smoke you saw when you put it in will cause some foaming. After things clear up you can rinse and wash your sock out.
Also it looks like you have all new equipment. Did you rinse the sock before you used it?

 

[ReefNo0ob]

I didn't add anything to my tank other than, new saltwater, 45lbs Life Rock, 40lbs of Live Sand. Here are a couple pictures of foam in sock and sump area

Try to keep that overflow tubing loop where it droops down above where it enters the sump. Either prop it up or use a velcro strap to hold it higher that might be part of the problem

 

[FishGuyBri]

I had the exact same problem. It took two weeks for it to die down. I had reefrock 2.1 and live sand, I think that started it. I'm now 18 days in. My skimmer went nuts for two weeks, it JUST TODAY started to calm down a bit. I added a 45 degree elbow to the inside of the sump where the drain line ended and that made a huge difference. So as for the skimmer, I had it running the whole time with the drain plug open (which I broke by the way) and just let it go. So if yours foams for a while longer than most are saying, it's ok. Good luck!

 

[Maximus]

Thanks Mac, that's great to know. I'm going to pull the rock today and let it soak in a trash can for a month or so. I'm tired of the foam from my BK skimmer and will take care of it today.