Skimmer foam not popping into liquid

[gallahadd]

Good morning.

I have noticed recently (nothing seems to have changed tank wise) that the skimmer foam is filling the collection cup and comes out the vent holes on top of lid. There is plenty of room for liquid it is just that the foam/bubbles are not turning into a liquid.

thoughts on why this might be? Is it to dry running of skimmer or to wet? I don’t think to wet otherwise the collection cup would be full of liquid.

 

[gallahadd]

I just cleaned lid again so sorry for no photo with it coming out the vent holes but you can see all the bubbles still being bubbles

 

[SillyReef]

That would be wetter or just that the skimmer is pulling out alot. Just make sure your No3 doesn't get too low. Could be the airline or pump has dirt in it. Sump level changes or feeding changed. So many reasons.

 

[gallahadd]

Photo to show it

 

[gallahadd]

That would be wetter or just that the skimmer is pulling out alot. Just make sure your No3 doesn't get too low. Could be the airline or pump has dirt in it. Sump level changes or feeding changed. So many reasons.

I did put in a CO scrubber

 

[QCPD16]

Any luck on this? I’m having the same problem with the same skimmer. So much foam that it’s pushing the lid off the collection cup but almost not skimmate in the cup.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Setting the skimmer level can help, but sudden changes on foam height would typical relate to materials in the water that are prone to pop bubbles (hydrophobic particulates or droplets, or some hydrophobic small molecules) and/or materials in the water that stabilize bubbles (surfactants/soaps).

 

[Elliott ll]

I have the same skimmer. Same issue. Have had it since April. Fish poop will collect on top of the lid so much that it looks like dog turds on the top of the lid. I have messed with water levels with no luck. Foam for some reason just wont turn into liquid within the collection cup. Im about to switch brands with this as my other 4 skimmers dont have this issue.

 

[xiongsy]

Found a resolution? If so, please share as I'm in the same situation.

 

[ryanjohn1]

Have you tried adjusting the air up or down some?

 

[Pistondog]

Dial down the level

 

[Mellotang]

Any prime or other water conditioners used?

 

[Pistondog]

I did put in a CO scrubber

This may be the cause.

 

[xiongsy]

Any prime or other water conditioners used?

Don't mean to hijack but mine started happening after I put 2 ml of Red Sea NoPox. This has to be it? Well a WC solve the issue?

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Don't mean to hijack but mine started happening after I put 2 ml of Red Sea NoPox. This has to be it? Well a WC solve the issue?

Foaming or bubble popping too fast?

Nopox itself should not cause significant foaming. Bacteria consuming it might produce skimmable materials.

 

[xiongsy]

Foaming or bubble popping too fast?

Nopox itself should not cause significant foaming. Bacteria consuming it might produce skimmable materials.

Foaming and won't pop.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley Verified Community Expert]

Foaming and won't pop.

That generally implies some sort of surfactant, which might be something naturally secreted, or something less natural such as soap.

 

[QBall]

Same issues here… foam not froth