Reef Octopus Constant overflows

Acronuts · Nov 30, 2011

Hey guys I have a question that I hope someone can help me with.
I have an SRO Reef Octopus Int-3000 running with a bubble blaster pump. After tearing down my 180 tank I soaked pump in vinegar for a couple of days. I cleaned out the skimmer itself.
I am cycling my tank and am in week two. I have tried turning the skimmer on and it just keeps overflowing into the sump. I have turned the valve all the way open to have less pressure and it overflows. If I close the valve then it REALLY overflows.

Some helpful info
week two of cycling tank
have been dosing microbacter
sump has a chamber with water level constant
the skimmer output is submersed about
What can I be doing wrong?

What should I try?

Your help is greatly appreciated guys.

btkrausen · Nov 30, 2011

Have you tried to use the skimmer at a different level in the sump. In order words, use a stand under the skimmer to change the water level? Thats what I had to do on my SRO-3000 SSS

Acronuts · Dec 1, 2011

I have not tried that yet but I am planning on letting it run its course. I know that these guys are super sensitive to water level and water chemistry. I measured my salinity and it was upto 1.028. I will lower it slowly to 1.024. I ran the skimmer since 3pm this afternoon and when I came home from work around 10:30pm this evening I noticed that the skimmer had really toned down the overflowing.
Looks like it has started to settle in. I attached tubing to let the gunk drain into a large jug.
Thanks for your input!

cdness · Dec 1, 2011

turn it on and let it overflow... The vinegar is causing the overflow. It happens to me every time I clean it. Just needs to build up the internal coatings again and it will level out. Just keep the cup off the skimmer and let it run back into the sump.

Troylee · Dec 2, 2011

Just give it time man... It's running it's course all over...

Acronuts · Dec 3, 2011

cdness said:
turn it on and let it overflow... The vinegar is causing the overflow. It happens to me every time I clean it. Just needs to build up the internal coatings again and it will level out. Just keep the cup off the skimmer and let it run back into the sump.

Troylee said:
Just give it time man... It's running it's course all over...

Yep you guys are both right! As of today the skimmer is not overflowing! She is running dry but plan on tweaking the valve to get wetter stuff.

Thank you both and everyone else who answered! I let her run and she is doing what is supposed to happen.