Overflowing Skimmer

[abecker]

I have had a strange issue lately. Randomly my skimmer will just start skimming like crazy. I have a Reef Octopus 150-int and have had it for over a year. About a month ago I came downstairs and found that it skimmed out about 5 gallons of water and my ATO was empty. After getting everything settled from that I put it back in the sump and had the valve open completely, and over the next two weeks slowly closed it off until it was skimming a normal amount. I came downstairs this morning to find the same thing happened, it skimmed so much that it emptied my ATO again. Has anyone else had similar issues or any idea what I am doing wrong?

 

[143MPCo]

@redfishbluefish

 

[redfishbluefish]

Not sure why I got tagged on this one. I'll give my opinion, but please take it with a grain of salt.

I don't have, or never had, a Reef Octopus. I was born and bred on Becketted skimmers (MTC, MRC2 and MRC3). However, my current skimmer is an SWC 160, which has its similarities to a Reef Octopus.

The first thing I would do is clean out the pump and especially pay very close attention to the volute....that round piece on the intake of the pump where the airline joins in. What happens with mine is hard deposits right where the air meets the water. I actually have to chip it out. Simply soaking in vinegar overnight doesn't do it.

Second, make sure you're in the proper depth of water....and that depth remains constant. That is, no ATO float switches in the same compartment as the skimmer. It needs to be a constant depth. If you have a problem with "always wet", then you're better off raising the skimmer up a bit.

Now as far as adjustments, (and this in now the opinion), I have always opened the air valve all the way. This is true with my current skimmer and the becketted skimmers I had. I would then adjust the skimmer by closing down the exit water valve. Start with it completely open, and then slowly start to close it down. When you get close....it's just a hair of a turn to do the fine adjustments.

Hope this helps.

 

[ATB USA]

Not sure why I got tagged on this one. I'll give my opinion, but please take it with a grain of salt.

I don't have, or never had, a Reef Octopus. I was born and bred on Becketted skimmers (MTC, MRC2 and MRC3). However, my current skimmer is an SWC 160, which has its similarities to a Reef Octopus.

The first thing I would do is clean out the pump and especially pay very close attention to the volute....that round piece on the intake of the pump where the airline joins in. What happens with mine is hard deposits right where the air meets the water. I actually have to chip it out. Simply soaking in vinegar overnight doesn't do it.

Second, make sure you're in the proper depth of water....and that depth remains constant. That is, no ATO float switches in the same compartment as the skimmer. It needs to be a constant depth. If you have a problem with "always wet", then you're better off raising the skimmer up a bit.

Now as far as adjustments, (and this in now the opinion), I have always opened the air valve all the way. This is true with my current skimmer and the becketted skimmers I had. I would then adjust the skimmer by closing down the exit water valve. Start with it completely open, and then slowly start to close it down. When you get close....it's just a hair of a turn to do the fine adjustments.

Hope this helps.

Good Advice on all points. Skimmers need a consistent water level.

 

[143MPCo]

The first thing I would do is clean out the pump and especially pay very close attention to the volute....that round piece on the intake of the pump where the airline joins in. What happens with mine is hard deposits right where the air meets the water. I actually have to chip it out. Simply soaking in vinegar overnight doesn't do it.

Second, make sure you're in the proper depth of water....and that depth remains constant. That is, no ATO float switches in the same compartment as the skimmer. It needs to be a constant depth. If you have a problem with "always wet", then you're better off raising the skimmer up a bit.

Now as far as adjustments, (and this in now the opinion), I have always opened the air valve all the way. This is true with my current skimmer and the becketted skimmers I had. I would then adjust the skimmer by closing down the exit water valve. Start with it completely open, and then slowly start to close it down. When you get close....it's just a hair of a turn to do the fine adjustments.

^^^that's why!

 

[abecker]

Thanks for the replies. It does have a constant water level. It is in the middle section of the sump before the return section. (Water comes in on the left, goes through the skimmer section, and then over a baffle to the return.) Also, the RO skimmer doesn't have a valve on the air intake, only a gate valve on the exit. I will check and clean out the pump.

 

[ATB USA]

When you clean the pump, make sure the venturi is totally clear.

 

[redfishbluefish]

When you clean the pimp, make sure the venturi is totally clear.

Mmmmm! Sounds like a line Inspector Clouseau would use.

You called it a venturi, and I termed it a volute.......six of one, half dozen of the other. Either way, we are talking about the same thing. Just wanted to make that clear, and not be confusing.

Still chuckling as I type, hearing Peter Sellers say "a pimp.....I said a pimp." I'm just too easy to amuse. And @ATB USA , I apologize for pointing out your typo for my morning amusement. I'm just hoping you're old enough to appreciate Peter Sellers and his portrayal of Inspector Clouseau...with his exaggerated French accent. All in fun.

 

[den75]

Just happened on this thread and I am having the same issue with my reef octopus sss3000 int. Just starts overflowing for no reason. It's in a constant water level, venturi is clear with no restrictions. Was fine for the last 2 weeks (longest stretch I've had in a while) got up this morning to find it overflowing again.

 

[143MPCo]

check the air port on the skimmer pump for blockage and encrustation.

A lot of times these things simply fill up with dust and debris that get sucked into its tubing lodging itself in place and creating an obstruction that the skimmer has to forcefully pull through. This sometimes causes an issue where the skimmer water level increases and decreases depending on the type of blockage. I've also seen calcium deposit build up on the inner portion of the inlet, very hard to see without a flashlight.

 

[twilliard]

Simple test I do..
Can you blow air easily through it

 

[redfishbluefish]

Simple test I do..
Can you blow air easily through it

That would certainly tell you if you had total blockage....but I've found a partial blockage impacts bubble formations....and blowing isn't going to pick up a partial blockage.


So, we are now up to three different names for the same part...a volute/venturi/air port.....doesn't matter what you call it, just so you know it's that plastic piece on the inlet to your pump that has the airline coming into it.

So here is that part off of an SWC. Looking on the inside, I'm pointing with that blackened toothpick were you'd find deposits. They need to be cleaned off, and I have to chip or pick them off.

 

[twilliard]

That would certainly tell you if you had total blockage....but I've found a partial blockage impacts bubble formations....and blowing isn't going to pick up a partial blockage.


So, we are now up to three different names for the same part...a volute/venturi/air port.....doesn't matter what you call it, just so you know it's that plastic piece on the inlet to your pump that has the airline coming into it.

So here is that part off of an SWC. Looking on the inside, I'm pointing with that blackened toothpick were you'd find deposits. They need to be cleaned off, and I have to chip or pick them off.

Yes it does
I have my effluent control marked so I can watch for even the slightest amount of build-up.
I use a needle file to clean mine out as the inside of my venturi is throated.

 

[twilliard]

Big line means get off the tosh and clean the buildup! Lol

 

[143MPCo]

doesn't matter what you call it, just so you know it's that plastic piece on the inlet to your pump that has the airline coming into it.

you are absolutely correct Pual, it doesn't matter what it's call but, needs to be checked!

 

[ATB USA]

Mmmmm! Sounds like a line Inspector Clouseau would use.

You called it a venturi, and I termed it a volute.......six of one, half dozen of the other. Either way, we are talking about the same thing. Just wanted to make that clear, and not be confusing.

Still chuckling as I type, hearing Peter Sellers say "a pimp.....I said a pimp." I'm just too easy to amuse. And @ATB USA , I apologize for pointing out your typo for my morning amusement. I'm just hoping you're old enough to appreciate Peter Sellers and his portrayal of Inspector Clouseau...with his exaggerated French accent. All in fun.

Not quite the same thing, but they can be or are normally connected:

The volute of a centrifugal pump is the casing that receives the fluid being pumped by the impeller, slowing down the fluid's rate of flow. A volute is a curved funnel that increases in area as it approaches the discharge port.[1] The volute converts kinetic energy into pressure by reducing speed while increasing pressure, helping to balance the hydraulic pressure on the shaft of the pump. (It is the cover over your impeller)

Definition of venturi
: a short tube with a tapering constriction in the middle that causes an increase in the velocity of flow of a fluid and a corresponding decrease in fluid pressure and that is used especially in measuring fluid flow or for creating a suction (as for drawing in Air to mix with the water)

In this picture, Red part is the Venturi - White part is the Volute: