Overflowing Skimmer

[Ober_Reef]

Hey Everyone,

So my skimmer has been overflowing for weeks now and I would really like to get to the bottom of it because my nitrates are a little high. The issue has been going on for weeks since I started battling Chrysophytes with Vibrant. I have since beat chrysophytes with the help of Vibrant and I’m wondering if this is normal during after use of this product. I haven’t dosed Vibrant in almost two weeks and the white foam overflow is still happening.

The only other cause I am trying to rule out is the brand of filter socks I ordered from Amazon. I soak all of my new filter socks in RODI water and some prime before use. I don’t always order from Amazon but have before and not had an issue, filter socks have been sold out on most of the aquarium websites I use as of late.

Any insight is appreciated !!

 

[blaxsun]

You could try washing the socks without Prime and see if that helps.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Hey Everyone,

So my skimmer has been overflowing for weeks now and I would really like to get to the bottom of it because my nitrates are a little high. The issue has been going on for weeks since I started battling Chrysophytes with Vibrant. I have since beat chrysophytes with the help of Vibrant and I’m wondering if this is normal during after use of this product. I haven’t dosed Vibrant in almost two weeks and the white foam overflow is still happening.

The only other cause I am trying to rule out is the brand of filter socks I ordered from Amazon. I soak all of my new filter socks in RODI water and some prime before use. I don’t always order from Amazon but have before and not had an issue, filter socks have been sold out on most of the aquarium websites I use as of late.

Any insight is appreciated !!

I stopped using filter socks along time ago. Too much trouble, everything is clear, sump is clean (occasionally syphon) Nitrates are low. Point being, try removing your socks. Do a decent water change. Adjust down your skimmer. And see what comes of it. Good luck.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Also, your skimmer depending on its size should be in about 8-9” of water. What skimmer do you have?

 

[Ober_Reef]

Also, your skimmer depending on its size should be in about 8-9” of water. What skimmer do you have?

Had to double check because I always mix up the name, it’s the reef octopus essence 130. It’s was tuned in and running great before I had to deal with the chrysophytes. I measured my water level and it should be good.

I stopped using filter socks along time ago. Too much trouble, everything is clear, sump is clean (occasionally syphon) Nitrates are low. Point being, try removing your socks. Do a decent water change. Adjust down your skimmer. And see what comes of it. Good luck.

I really like the ability to tune my mechanical filtration with the filter socks but have been thinking of switching to cups with filter pad to get out of having to wash the socks. I have my skimmer turned down to the lowest setting and it is still overflowing like it did when I was breaking it in after purchase.

 

[Koh23]

Before i wrote about similar problems, where filter sock (chinese unbranded from ebay) cause my skimmer to not foam at all, i removed them, used diy filter cups and floss for some time.

I washed socks in bleech, let them dry, and put them in box, never to be used again....

Then, sometime later out of curiosity, i put these filter sock back in sump, and to my suprise, skimmer works as normal (i have some other issues with him, but thats another topic), so i use them again.

Whats changed, why now work and before is causing problems..... Great mystery

 

[Glenner’sreef]

Had to double check because I always mix up the name, it’s the reef octopus essence 130. It’s was tuned in and running great before I had to deal with the chrysophytes. I measured my water level and it should be good.



I really like the ability to tune my mechanical filtration with the filter socks but have been thinking of switching to cups with filter pad to get out of having to wash the socks. I have my skimmer turned down to the lowest setting and it is still overflowing like it did when I was breaking it in after purchase.

Right. Those media cups are nice. Red Sea I know makes one. Also BRS Investigates did a video on the ideal time to clean or change your socks. I believe it was every 3 days.

 

[Ober_Reef]

Right. Those media cups are nice. Red Sea I know makes one. Also BRS Investigates did a video on the ideal time to clean or change your socks. I believe it was every 3 days.

Yeah I saw that video, typically my tank runs low nutrient though so I got away with weekly swaps with my water changes. Of course now after battling Chrysophytes which I first believed were Dinos my nutrients are running higher so I wanted to tune them back to normal ranges. I wonder if the cups are louder, I definitely don’t want more noise.

 

[Ober_Reef]

Hello all,

Just in case it helps anyone else out there, the solve for this seemed to be cleaning my skimmer. I cleaned it today and it is functioning normally after not working this entire time.