Post chemi-clean skimmer behavior

[AndyOneTwentyFive]

Ok folks I treated my tank with chemiclean 3 days ago. I know the skimmer is supposed to be off or adjusted for 48 hours after adding the product. It was off but now, 3 days later, I performed about a 20% water change and turned the skimmer back on and I get tons of micro bubbles. Am I doing anything wrong? Should I leave the skimmer off until it behaves correctly or are the micro bubbles the only adverse effect?

 

[puffy127]

After chemiclean, I usually have to do two 20% water changes to get rid of all the microbubbles.

 

[ecam]

Also make sure you run carbon. When I use chemi. I run venom for a day or two. Before putting on skimmer. I then usual let the skimmer overflow into a bucket At the lowest setting. After about 10 gallons it usual goes back to normal.

 

[puffy127]

I forgot to mention that even with fresh carbon, I found one 20% wc wasn't enough. It wasn't until I did the second wc that the bubbles cleared up.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

That's what happens. I've had my skimmer go crazy for an entire week, after running carbon and doing water changes. just leave it and enjoy the show.

 

[Osteoclast]

Mine did the same for about 7 days with 20% water changes on days 1, 2, and 3. In order to oxygenate the tank I allowed the skimmer to overflow into the sump. By day 7 it returned to normal skimming. Agree with fresh carbon during the week. I have not needed Chemiclean since but it did work.

 

[AndyOneTwentyFive]

thanks guys that helps immensely. I guess I'll try and get my reactor fired up for the first time!

 

[CJBuckeyes]

Just went through this. I ran a ton of carbon and did two 20% water changes and my skimmer was still going crazy after a week. I ended up mixing up a few extra gallons of water and let the skimmer run super wet. After collecting about 2 gallons of yellowish skimmate, the skimmer settled right down and started acting normally. I topped off with the freshly mixed salt water.