New tank/Skimmer confused

[Aaron Buller]

so I'm new to this saltwater thing, I just set my tank up and added my live rock yesterday, my skimmer is bubbling like crazy over flowing the collection cup, no matter how I set it. There's no setting for the pump, just moving the cup higher or lower, if I set it high so it doesn't over flow the bubbles over flow out back into the tank, it's a HOB skimmer, called an ES-1 any help is great! Saltwater has been in for about 3 days before the rock

 

[USMC 4 LIFE]

The skimmer needs a day or two to break in. Once broken in, this will seize and you'll be able to adjust it to where it does not overflow. Since you have a hang on back skimmer, you're going to need to constantly pour what ever is skimmed back into the tank or away.

But before you do any of that I personally wouldn't run your skimmer since it's a hang on back type until your tank is cycled.

 

[Aaron Buller]

Alright that makes sense, I'll unplug it while the tank is cycling and go from there, thanks for the help!

 

[USMC 4 LIFE]

No problem and welcome to the hobby

 

[Aaron Buller]

Thanks, should be interesting, just stated the cycle and I'm already constantly checking on it, pretty over whelming coming over from freshwater haha

 

[jsker]

Welcome to the saltwater side and figuring it out. When I had my HOB I ran the skimmer from the start to break in the skimmer and just the excitement of having everything running.

 

[Aaron Buller]

That's why mines on, was so excited to finally get things running, going well so far on day one

 

[ReeferBob]

You should leave it running while it is breaking in. Typically for sump based skimmers you remove the collection cup and just allow them to overflow for 24-48 hours or so.

 

[USMC 4 LIFE]

You should leave it running while it is breaking in. Typically for sump based skimmers you remove the collection cup and just allow them to overflow for 24-48 hours or so.

Read the original post. He does not have a sump skimmer. He has a hang on back which will overflow onto the floor.

 

[ReeferBob]

Read the original post. He does not have a sump skimmer. He has a hang on back which will overflow onto the floor.

I see nothing that says it is overflowing onto the floor. He said it was overflowing back into the tank. You can't break in a skimmer without running it. That is the hole point.

 

[FishGuyBri]

I'm in a similar situation. My skimmer is a sump though, and it's been on four days still overflowing like nuts. I'm planning on just letting it run until I see changes.

 

[ReeferBob]

I'm in a similar situation. My skimmer is a sump though, and it's been on four days still overflowing like nuts. I'm planning on just letting it run until I see changes.

New filter socks will also make the skimmer overflow for a few days.

 

[Aaron Buller]

Everything is rock and rolling for me now, everything is down to 0 on test, just ammonia is still sitting around 3ppm

 

[tutmatt3]

Well there can be a lot of waste from the rock coming off that the skimmer is not only breaking in, but also trying to skim it out.
Mine was with dry rock, and took a long time to set it proper - but my breakin period took about 1+ month.

I thought it was a dumb skimmer, not working - but now the foam has been just like everything I see online, smaller bubbles at the bottom of the neck, big slow bubbles at the top. Collection cup fills with brown uglies. Yay, it works! hahaha

Keep in mind - if you added in bacteria like bio-spira, or used epoxy, its best to leave the skimmer off for 48 hours they recommend.

 

[FishGuyBri]

Well there can be a lot of waste from the rock coming off that the skimmer is not only breaking in, but also trying to skim it out.
Mine was with dry rock, and took a long time to set it proper - but my breakin period took about 1+ month.

I thought it was a dumb skimmer, not working - but now the foam has been just like everything I see online, smaller bubbles at the bottom of the neck, big slow bubbles at the top. Collection cup fills with brown uglies. Yay, it works! hahaha

Keep in mind - if you added in bacteria like bio-spira, or used epoxy, its best to leave the skimmer off for 48 hours they recommend.

Thanks for sharing this. I'm two weeks in and my skimmer is still going nuts, so I'm just gonna keep chilling and wait haha

 

[tutmatt3]

Thanks for sharing this. I'm two weeks in and my skimmer is still going nuts, so I'm just gonna keep chilling and wait haha

No worries. I still experience microbubbles entering my DT at times. I've heard many reasons why: bio-load too low, skimmer still too new, or just design

I took a sponge and made it side @ the waste gate - and this takes care of 90%+ of the microbubbles

Not sure if you have those issues, but thought to also share.