need help...... sss150 Overflowing

melissajo · May 9, 2014

I have a 90 gal. reef tank,about 3 years old. It has been stable and running good until I decided to make some upgrades. I bought a new danner mag 9.5 pump, a photon LED light set up, a new protein skimmer and two Hydor Koralia water movers. I can not get the skimmer to work properly. I let it run for the break in period, but I am 14 days in and can not get it to quit over flowing. It overflows within 1 minute of powering on. My tank is starting to suffer because of all the crap circulating around. I call reef octopus and they seem to think I have added something to cause the over production of bubbles. I never use to dose my tank, but I added marine snow, iodine and purple tech for the first time two weeks before all the upgrades.. I added the recommended amounts. Since this started, I have done five 10-20 gallon water changes. 3 of those, I actually removed all the water from the sump. I have washed my filter sock in HOT water 5 times and cleaned the filter sponge in the ro/di water. I am stumped and do not know what to do???
Also, can anyone give me a suggestion on how to store my ro/di water once mixed with salt for easy access for weekly water changes. I have been using the 4.4 gallon camping water jugs, but I need bigger and something I can mix the salt in.

Dan1789 · May 9, 2014

What is the wAter level where it's sitting. It could be too deep. Have you hooked a tube up to the drain in the cup and let all the foam drain out. Just let it foam and drain into a bucket. Might be something in your water.

redfishbluefish · May 9, 2014

First off, which Reef Octopus do you have? As asked, how deep is the water?

I would first open the valve all the way open. Start the skimmer. Now slow start to close the valve until you notice the foam rising in the column. Realize it takes slight nudges to adjust this valve just right.

As far as making water, Brute trash cans are the best and readily available at HD, Lowes or many other store. They come in multiple sizes, but I would guess the 20 or 32 gallon would be best for you. I also purchased the wheel thing that hooks to the bottom to easily wheel the can around.

Dalmatia · May 9, 2014

Just to deep= too much water pressure, rise your skimmer or pump

Reefing Madness · May 9, 2014

If its brand new, theres a break in period, where nothing you do will get rid of the bubbles. Gotta give it some time.
You can store the water in a food grade barrel or brute trash can. Mix up the salt the day your going to use it, let it sit on hour, then use.

melissajo · May 9, 2014

It is a sss150. It is 14 days in to break in period and I would think it would be over. I have moved it up so the water level was as low as possible and it still overflows.

melissajo · May 9, 2014

It's a sss150. Valve is all the way open.

melissajo · May 9, 2014

How would I hook a tube to the cup?

Reefing Madness · May 9, 2014

When you start to close off the water flow valve, does the water start to come down in the neck any?

Dalmatia · May 10, 2014

That's funny,, is the pump original?

melissajo · May 11, 2014

what's funny? yes brand new.

davocean · May 11, 2014

Well first off I would not add any iodine, iodide is much better if you were heavy on softie corals that needed the dosing, but usually WC's alone will cover what you need, and I don't add what I don't or can't test for.
Excessive iodine can stress and kill shrimp/inverts.
I also don't advocate adding purple up or any other coraline "speed ups"
Certain foods or any oils will often make skimmers go nuts, cyclopseze is notorious for this, not sure about the snow.
I think you either have that skimmer hooked up improperly or at the wrong level.
Post pics if you can.

bond300 · May 12, 2014

I use a 50G rain barrel....lowes or home depot..............

Dalmatia · May 18, 2014

melissajo said:
I have a 90 gal. reef tank,about 3 years old. It has been stable and running good until I decided to make some upgrades. I bought a new danner mag 9.5 pump, a photon LED light set up, a new protein skimmer and two Hydor Koralia water movers. I can not get the skimmer to work properly. I let it run for the break in period, but I am 14 days in and can not get it to quit over flowing. It overflows within 1 minute of powering on. My tank is starting to suffer because of all the crap circulating around. I call reef octopus and they seem to think I have added something to cause the over production of bubbles. I never use to dose my tank, but I added marine snow, iodine and purple tech for the first time two weeks before all the upgrades.. I added the recommended amounts. Since this started, I have done five 10-20 gallon water changes. 3 of those, I actually removed all the water from the sump. I have washed my filter sock in HOT water 5 times and cleaned the filter sponge in the ro/di water. I am stumped and do not know what to do???
Also, can anyone give me a suggestion on how to store my ro/di water once mixed with salt for easy access for weekly water changes. I have been using the 4.4 gallon camping water jugs, but I need bigger and something I can mix the salt in.

Well I store ro/di in a 40g tank that's covered with glass, just for top offs.
My salt I have running the whole time till I use it in a 75g blue bin like this