PLEASE help with skimmer

[Dolelo96]

I posted this question on my build thread, but haven’t had a response and I’m getting a bit desperate.

Condensed version of build thread..Velvet wiped out fish in September and decided to “rebuild” my system. Multiple reasons why (if your bored you can read my build).

When we moved everything around, I took my skimmer apart and cleaned it and the pump. It sat dry for a week. I put it back in a week after the changes and it won't stop overflowing. Let it run 24 hours, but still wouldn't stop. Could it be from the CaribeSea LifeRock? The new set up has only been running since March 20th, but I thought leaving enough of the "old" in would stabilize the tank faster...

-I only took 1/2 the water out of the display tank and left about an inch of sand. I have one of those biological filter plates in the sump, that has been in the tank since April 2017. LFS had me add a dose of Microbe-Lift Nite Out II, and according to CaribeSea, the LifeRock is "safe for all fish and inverts, and is an aragonitic base material (does not contain cement), requires no curing, and is infused with spored, live bacteria. Once placed in water, the dormant bacteria will come alive and begin to colonize".

Fully closed

Fully opened

If I block the pump intake slightly, it stops overflowing. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

 

[JoshH]

If you did a deep clean on your skimmer and let it dry out and then put it in a tank with substrate and live rock changes you've basically reset your skimmer. It will need time to build up the flim on the inside that makes it run smoothly and will likely need to be re adjusted to your new tank and nutrient load. Sometimes this can take a couple weeks for it to calm down to the point you can retune it to your liking. I'd just let it continue to overflow and maybe try dialing it in slowly over the next week orso.

 

[WVNed]

Put something under the skimmer to raise it up higher in the water and let it run. Once it settles down set it back down.

 

[Dolelo96]

When it was first set up, the manual said to run in fully closed without collection cup for 24 hours and then put cup back on and run it fully open. Should I try it that way again? Thats what I did after putting it back in, but gave up after running the 2nd step for another 24 hours.

 

[MaiReef]

The other option is to restrict the airflow in if you have tried raising it.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

with out reading this all or looking at ur video I would say ur skimmer either needs break in period time or the water level isn't right... HTHs
-d

 

[Dolelo96]

Put something under the skimmer to raise it up higher in the water and let it run. Once it settles down set it back down.

It's already on a stand to raise it. The reefer sump is was too deep for this skimmer. Are you saying to raise it more?

 

[WVNed]

It's already on a stand to raise it. The reefer sump is was too deep for this skimmer. Are you saying to raise it more?

Yes I am saying raise it more

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

or turn the tube to let more water out of the skimmer body...if its not open all the way?
-d

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

think that's how those octos work

 

[Dolelo96]

think that's how those octos work

Sorry, I should have said it was a Vertex Omega 150. Overflows open or closed, only difference is when completely open the bubbles fill the the outside chamber at the bottom, which the shoots it out of the tube.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

ya u cleaned it good and let it dry. Needs break it. Leave it open. When the micro bubbles stop coming out of the tube, u can start to bring the water height back up in the skimmer body and let the foam build up the neck... the skimate on top gets heavier and heavier in foam or nutrients. Making it denser and rise to the top. I tell ppl its like the foam on the beach or at the ocean. All that crud is fish poo and pee! LOL
-d

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

when it breaks in and u bring the water back up in the skimmer body, the micro bubbles should stop and only b in the skimmer...
-d

 

[Dolelo96]

Thanks everyone for the help! Hopefully it won’t take forever to break-in

 

[Dolelo96]

when it breaks in and u bring the water back up in the skimmer body, the micro bubbles should stop and only b in the skimmer...
-d

Still overflowing, but micro bubbles aren’t shooting out like yesterday

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Good. Glad to hear! Give it a lil more time.

 

[Dolelo96]

Raised skimmer more (pipe is just under the water) and it’s finally working!!!

Thank you so much everyone for your help!