Plumbed in a new chiller. Skimmer going nuts.

[Gus Henry]

Hi Guys,

So I have a Regal 300-INT skimmer that's been going on my 250 gallon for a while now. It's been chugging along perfectly fine skimming fairly dry.

But recently, I changed out my chiller to a bigger one and my skimmer just went nuts - not skimming and letting out A TON of micro bubbles that even with two bubble traps, make it into my DT.

What do I do? I suspect its because I didn't flush out the new chiller before plumbing it in? Do I just let it go and see if it breaks in? Do a giant water change and hope my corals are fine with that?

Will GAC help?

Also, will these micro bubbles irritate my corals? The most frustrating thing now besides the visuals, is that the bubbles start collecting under my live rock making pockets that I have to blow out regularly.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Hmm. That is wierd.
D

 

[Gus Henry]

At the moment, I've switched my skimmer off and doing daily 10% WC and praying to the reef gods.

Luckily going fallow the moment so nothing much to skim anyway. Just really curious what the heck is going on.

 

[monkeyCmonkeyDo]

Is water and air actually entering the skimmer body?

 

[Gus Henry]

Is water and air actually entering the skimmer body?

Yup. Literally nothing has changed from before but after the chiller was plumbed in, the skimmer does not get a foam head and spews out clouds of micro bubbles.

 

[Harold999]

Throwing in a big bag of activated carbon wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

[Gus Henry]

Throwing in a big bag of activated carbon wouldn't be a bad idea.

Yea. I'm thinking maybe there are oils (or whatever) in the new chiller? Thats affecting the skimmer's ability to skim?

So you think GAC would help in removing this (whatever it is)?

 

[Harold999]

Yup. Literally nothing has changed from before but after the chiller was plumbed in, the skimmer does not get a foam head and spews out clouds of micro bubbles.

Could there be an internal leak in the chiller releasing coolant or something.
Not sure how a chiller works but if it spews out bubbles...

 

[Gus Henry]

Could there be an internal leak in the chiller releasing coolant or something.
Not sure how a chiller works but if it spews out bubbles...

Now if its leaking coolant that would not be cool.

The micro bubbles is from the skimmer. Not the chiller.

 

[branbray07]

Did you ever get this issue solved? . I am dealing with the exact same thing

 

[SteveMM62Reef]

I know on HVAC System Manufacturing, they use Silicone lubes, to form and process the tubing. On the Condenser Coil, the Aluminum Fins are placed on the Copper or Aluminum tubing. A shuttle is placed down the Tube, Air Pressure is applied with a Silicone Lubricant, as the Shuttle is withdrawn, it expands the tubing making it tight to the coil fins. I would imagine something similar is used on the Evap. Side. Silicones, will mess up a Skimmer.

 

[brmc1985]

Did the water level on your sump change? The chiller is going to pull in some water lowering the level which can cause the skimmer to have issues. See if your water level is at the normal level.

 

[branbray07]

Did the water level on your sump change? The chiller is going to pull in some water lowering the level which can cause the skimmer to have issues. See if your water level is at the normal level.

Nop water level is still the same. The only thing that changed was the addition of the chiller and removed 2/3 of my sand. This has been going in for about 2 weeks now since im going barebottom

 

[brmc1985]

Nop water level is still the same. The only thing that changed was the addition of the chiller and removed 2/3 of my sand. This has been going in for about 2 weeks now since im going barebottom

Have you tried taking the skimmer out and cleaning it throughly to see if maybe the Venturi is clogged or a snail or something got in and is blocking the water level from going into the skimmer neck? Also, are you getting the micro bubbles that op was talking about?

 

[branbray07]

Did the water level on your sump change? The chiller is going to pull in some water lowering the level which can cause the skimmer to have issues. See if your water level is at the normal level.

I took it appart yesterday , and gave it a quick clean with no change.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

Nop water level is still the same. The only thing that changed was the addition of the chiller and removed 2/3 of my sand. This has been going in for about 2 weeks now since im going barebottom

I’m going with the removal of all that sand being the issue as opposed to the chiller. That’s a big shock to the system.

 

[brmc1985]

I’m going with the removal of all that sand being the issue as opposed to the chiller. That’s a big shock to the system.

Agreed. That’s a big shock to the system.

 

[branbray07]

Agreed. That’s a big shock to the system.

The skimmer started bubbling prior to the removal of the sand. Removal was performed later on the day.

 

[A_Blind_Reefer]

The skimmer started bubbling prior to the removal of the sand. Removal was performed later on the day.

Ah, can you bypass the chiller to see if it stops? This isn’t normal.

 

[branbray07]

Ah, can you bypass the chiller to see if it stops? This isn’t normal.

I could just turn it off, but if it is chemicals or oils they are already in the tank