New protein skimmer constantly overflowing with bubbles

mattvd · Aug 9, 2017

Hello all - just got my protein skimmer up and running, its a Reef Octopus - Classic 150-INT.

This thing is bubbling over like crazy! Immediately right when I turn it on bubbles overflowing everywhere. Even when I unplug the collection cup drain, the bubbles are still overflowing. Lots and lots of bubbles overflowing into the sump. Water level in the sump is 8 inches, right in-between the manufacturers recommendations.

Just turned it on today, I read in some other threads its best to keep the skimmer running for a little bit to work itself out, I know its only been a day, but this thing is pouring out bubbles like crazy. I must be doing something wrong here. Will try to upload a picture soon too.

Has anyone else experienced this?

mattvd · Aug 9, 2017

I should also mention I've tried raising the skimmer up about 3 inches on a makeshift platform, still bubbles overflowing either way.y

Mal11224 · Aug 9, 2017

Your skimmer needs to be broken in. It can take some time but it will only happen if you leave it running. Eventually it will build up enough viscosity to skim properly. Just give it time.

mattvd · Aug 9, 2017

Got it, thanks. The instruction manuals for these things are awful. Doesn't give any guidelines about break in time at all.

Ryan420r6 · Aug 9, 2017

Just broke mine in a few months ago. Close the gate valve (red knob) all the way to reduce skimming and slowly open it up as the skimmer breaks in (I had stay on top of mine for a few days) and then small tweaks for a few weeks after. The gate valve is very sensitive but doesn't give you an immediate response when you turn the wheel so go slow and wait a few minutes for a response. You will eventually find the sweet spot.

Darryl · Aug 9, 2017

go to there web forum everything you need to know can be found and answerd there.also keep the hole in the side of cup open and remove any foam in the chamber that reduces bubbles its a waste of time

mattvd · Aug 9, 2017

Ryan420r6 said:
Just broke mine in a few months ago. Close the gate valve (red knob) all the way to reduce skimming and slowly open it up as the skimmer breaks in (I had stay on top of mine for a few days) and then small tweaks for a few weeks after. The gate valve is very sensitive but doesn't give you an immediate response when you turn the wheel so go slow and wait a few minutes for a response. You will eventually find the sweet spot.

Thanks for the advice, I'll try that over these next couple of days to see if it helps speed the process up

Sgolden · Aug 10, 2017

1) a new tank will naturally foam more. It will settle down.
2) the adjustment is either a valve or twisting action of the tube which some have to control flow. If u are foaming a lot, make sure the device is set for least restriction.
3) temporarily set something below your skimmer to raise it up.
4) can u adjust your sump water height? You could lower it instead of raising pump, or do both..

XNavyDiver · Aug 10, 2017

Adjust your red gate valve to open it up more, the water level should drop inside the reaction chamber lowering the level of the bubbles.

mattvd · Aug 14, 2017

Hey guys - I appreciate all the help. I've had the protein skimmer since Aug 3 and it is the 14th now. Still the same result bubbling over. I've done multiple water changes in the sump since then, where the water level is really raised and lowered. Same thing at both ends of the water level. No matter where the water level is, still is overflowing like crazy. I've also built makeshift stands for it at different heights and ran it for a few hours - no luck, still overflowing.

Still normal??

Sabellafella · Aug 14, 2017

mattvd said:
Hello all - just got my protein skimmer up and running, its a Reef Octopus - Classic 150-INT.

This thing is bubbling over like crazy! Immediately right when I turn it on bubbles overflowing everywhere. Even when I unplug the collection cup drain, the bubbles are still overflowing. Lots and lots of bubbles overflowing into the sump. Water level in the sump is 8 inches, right in-between the manufacturers recommendations.

Just turned it on today, I read in some other threads its best to keep the skimmer running for a little bit to work itself out, I know its only been a day, but this thing is pouring out bubbles like crazy. I must be doing something wrong here. Will try to upload a picture soon too.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Haha give it some time to break it. Also let the bubble line start right before the collection cup.

Coral Hygiene · Aug 14, 2017

mattvd said:
Hey guys - I appreciate all the help. I've had the protein skimmer since Aug 3 and it is the 14th now. Still the same result bubbling over. I've done multiple water changes in the sump since then, where the water level is really raised and lowered. Same thing at both ends of the water level. No matter where the water level is, still is overflowing like crazy. I've also built makeshift stands for it at different heights and ran it for a few hours - no luck, still overflowing.

Still normal??

Yep, because of manufacturing processes, the skimmer will have "chemicals/oils/coatings/etc" that need to be broken down over time so that the skimmer can function as intended. You can run it in some vinegar+water solution for an hour to break it in faster. Id give it a couple more weeks to see the bubbles settle down.

lou dog420 · Aug 15, 2017

Took me forever to get my vertex broke in. They suggest removing the cup and closing the outlet and just letting it overflow in the sump for 24 hours to break in. Also, I don't know about the reef octopus, but vertex omegas you MUST have a stable water level, no fluctuating.

lou dog420 · Aug 15, 2017

Also if you get tired of waiting for it to break in, you can install a valve on the air intake and choke it down some to get it skimming, then remove the valve once its broke in.

mattvd · Aug 15, 2017

lou dog420 said:
Also if you get tired of waiting for it to break in, you can install a valve on the air intake and choke it down some to get it skimming, then remove the valve once its broke in.

Thanks Lou - I'm going to give that a try. I know patience is the best thing in this hobby... but I can't help myself - I want this skimmer working! I'll get an air intake valve on my way home from work and see how it does.

Also, I just took a look at your reef build thread. Your tank is amazing! Really enjoyed going through that whole thread. Hope I can get to your level one day!

mattvd · Aug 15, 2017

Coral Hygiene said:
Yep, because of manufacturing processes, the skimmer will have "chemicals/oils/coatings/etc" that need to be broken down over time so that the skimmer can function as intended. You can run it in some vinegar+water solution for an hour to break it in faster. Id give it a couple more weeks to see the bubbles settle down.

Thanks for the advice - I'm going to try to put an air valve on it to try to get it skimming - if that doesn't work I'll do the vinegar. Would you recommend a 1-1 ratio with vinegar and water? And do you just let the skimmer soak in it? Or do you actually run the skimmer with the vinegar water?

lou dog420 · Aug 15, 2017

mattvd said:
Thanks Lou - I'm going to give that a try. I know patience is the best thing in this hobby... but I can't help myself - I want this skimmer working! I'll get an air intake valve on my way home from work and see how it does.

Also, I just took a look at your reef build thread. Your tank is amazing! Really enjoyed going through that whole thread. Hope I can get to your level one day!

Your welcome, glad I could help. And thankyou for the kind words and checking out my build thread.

Coral Hygiene · Aug 15, 2017

mattvd said:
Thanks for the advice - I'm going to try to put an air valve on it to try to get it skimming - if that doesn't work I'll do the vinegar. Would you recommend a 1-1 ratio with vinegar and water? And do you just let the skimmer soak in it? Or do you actually run the skimmer with the vinegar water?

A 1-10 ratio of white vinegar to water should be fine. You can just put the skimmer in a bucket, let it run for an hour with the vinegar solution. If nothing else works, patience will be your best friend. Hope this helps!

mattvd · Aug 19, 2017

Hey guys - just wanted to update anyone who might read this thread.

I tried the air valve method, but couldn't find the proper air valve at any of my hardware stores that would fit what I needed. So I ran a little piece of airline tubing off of my air intake, then put a tiny ball valve on it, hoping to limit the air intake. Well, ball valves aren't air tight... so regardless if I had the ball valve completely closed, air was still getting in.

Next step was to soak it in vinegar and run it - I ran it in vinegar for about 2 hours and put it back in the sump, and no luck either.

I emailed the team at coralvue and they informed me it was most likely due to my tank being new (recently cycled about 2 weeks ago). They said it was because I still had some bacteria building up (recently went through the diatom bloom) - and recommended that I do a 50% water change to see if that fixed it. Even though my ammonium and nitrites/nitrates were at 0, I guess I didn't expect other bacteria to be causing the skimmer to overflow. Sure enough, when I did a big water change and swapped out the filter socks the protein skimmer is running like a charm.

Thanks for all your help and advice!