Help, Skimmer went crazy

[Ernie C]

I turned of the skimmer for one day and remotely turned it on today and got home and it was going crazy. Really wet clear foam coming up no mater how dailed back, all the way. Luckily it empties into a container over the sump so just fed back In. But came home to display full of micro bubbles. Pulled it out and gave a quick inspection and cleaned it up but still going nuts. It’s a reef octopus. I haven’t added anything and it was fine a day ago before I turned it off. Should I leave it running feeding back into tank until it settles?

 

[JasonK84]

Check for a clogged or restricted Venturi.

 

[Ernie C]

Took it apart and all seemed free of any clogs

 

[Ernie C]

Could the pump be damaged and pumping in more water or something. Nothing I do makes a difference.

 

[Ernie C]

This is nuts. Can usually figure stuff out and this skimmer is pretty new and shelled out like $200.

I’m beginning to think this tank is cursed. Always something

 

[T-5unsystem]

Did you add any foods/chemicals/unrinsed filter sock etc? Usually random "skimmer gone nuts" is the result of addition of an agent of some kind causing the surface tension to change. Chemiclean, Selcon etc are all known to do this. Doubtful its a DC pump, but if it is trying slowing it down and running at a level that will skim out the contaminate. This way you don't have to de-tune the skimmer and can just speed it up 1 click at a time. Even if the solution you get in the collection cup looks clear, toss it because it has lots of whatever it is making the bubbles stick around too long.

 

[Nonya]

In the photo it looks like maybe the hose is pinched?

 

[Ernie C]

Nothing added. Regular frozen cubes yesterday for food and that’s it. If I toss all the water that’s coming out of it, I’ll drain the tank. I had to shut it off.

 

[Duffer]

I can tell you from some experience I noticed you have a drain line attached.. this sometimes acts like a siphon and will pull more water thru the system and drive the skimmer to act crazy

 

[Ernie C]

I took it all apart and back together. Hose seems fine it just curves a bit. I guess I can take it apart again but it would be attempt number three

 

[Ernie C]

The drain line has always been there. Still behaves the same way with out the collection cup attached.

 

[Duffer]

I can only tell you to try taking the drain line off,put the plug back on,leave the collection cup on and see if that works..can’t hurt to try

I have an octo 150 and if I do anything in the tank it will act different and sometimes takes a day to calm down

 

[T-5unsystem]

Nothing added. Regular frozen cubes yesterday for food and that’s it. If I toss all the water that’s coming out of it, I’ll drain the tank. I had to shut it off.

You would first need to de-tune it appropriately so it skims like it should. Open the gate valve to bring the bubbles down so they flow into the cup at a reasonable rate, like filling the cup over 5-6 hours.

Did someone paint inside the house? Use noxious cleaners, stains, floor treatments, bug killer or something?

 

[Ernie C]

Nothing has been done in the house. Opened the valve all the way and still keeps overflowing.

 

[Ernie C]

Nothing has been done in the house. Opened the valve all the way and still keeps overflowing.

 

[Ernie C]

Micro bubbles in the sump and display. Will these mes up the corals. My bubble is closed and it’s never closed?

 

[Ernie C]

Been running with the gate fully open for about 15 minutes and it’s filled half a gallon. Could something have released something into the water?

 

[Ernie C]

The skimate is getting a bit thicker. Still seems wacky as it’s producing a lot of microbubbles coming out of the gate. Should I just remove everything it’s pumping out. I’m at about a gallon now.

 

[DarthSimon]

How new is the skimmer?

 

[ryeguyy84]

Take the cup off and let it overflow back into the sump something got in the tank maybe lotion from your hands? Let it run overnight and you should be fine.

Or you can just pull off the drain line and let that flow back into the sump.