Skimmer go banana after small WC?

[roostertech]

Recently every time I do a small WC (5g in a 140g system), my skimmer would go nut and overflow. My theories:

* Water level change? I shut off return pump and skimmer during the WC (10mins ish) and delay skimmer for another 15mins after return pump kick back on to level out the water. So water level is identical before/after.
* Craps get kicked up during WC? I take water from DT and put in NSW into the drain chamber and potentially dislodge craps?
* Temp change? I don't bother heating up NSW, as the amount is small enough that it usually on drop my over all temp by 1F at most
* Something in NSW? If I shut off skimmer and start it again 12 hrs ish later, everything is fine

 

[vhuang168]

You are changing the water tension. So I'd go with the last.

 

[roostertech]

You are changing the water tension. So I'd go with the last.

Can 5g really affect a 140g system in such significant way?

Also another guess is I start seeing this behavior more after dosing NO3PO4X

 

[Flippers4pups]

What skimmer are you using?

 

[roostertech]

What skimmer are you using?

Reef Octopus Regal 150SSS, running at 80%. Tank bio load is on the light side.

 

[vhuang168]

Can 5g really affect a 140g system in such significant way?

Also another guess is I start seeing this behavior more after dosing NO3PO4X

Absolutely. Remember that we are talking surface tension.

 

[roostertech]

Absolutely. Remember that we are talking surface tension.

So the only solution is to defer skimmer for a loooooong time (hours) after return pump is restored?

 

[Flippers4pups]

Yes, this has an effect. Like feeding frozen foods will do this as well.

 

[vhuang168]

So the only solution is to defer skimmer for a loooooong time (hours) after return pump is restored?

Or set your skimmer to skim much drier.