Skimmer going crazy during Blackout period

JediCruz · Sep 17, 2021

So I’m on my 2nd day of the 3 day blackout period to knock back most of the GHA that has taken hold (long story to that) and my skimmer has gone nuts during random parts of the day. For most people this is not a huge deal but I have a HOB skimmer so that means water on the floor. My wife isn’t happy right now. Before you ask, yes, I am saving up to get a bigger sump to accommodate a skimmer and yes, I will be saving up for a skimmer in that sump. So any idea why this keeps happening? Seems like it goes nuts at random. I even set the water level lower in the skimmer with the hope that it wouldn’t over flow but it doesn’t help. Any idea what is causing this craziness?

Billldg · Sep 17, 2021

It could be because of the blackout, and the die off of the algae periodically causes the skimmer to overflow as it try’s to get rid of it. You can change the water level in the skimmer, as you said you already have, or reduce the flow of water in the skimmer as well. If you have the ability, you can also adjust the flow of air in the skimmer.

Also, did you add anything like ReefFlux, as they recommend turning off you skimmer.

JediCruz · Sep 17, 2021

Billldg said:
It could be because of the blackout, and the die off of the algae periodically causes the skimmer to overflow as it try’s to get rid of it. You can change the water level in the skimmer, as you said you already have, or reduce the flow of water in the skimmer as well. If you have the ability, you can also adjust the flow of air in the skimmer.

Also, did you add anything like ReefFlux, as they recommend turning off you skimmer.

No, no ReefFlux. Nothing new added. Just the blackout. It’s a BubbleMagus E5. There’s a pipe to adjust the water level and a valve to control the air. I noticed that when I adjust the air the water level goes up. I’ll adjust the air and lower the water level. Hopefully that works.

Operator Wrasse · Sep 17, 2021

Your algae is dying off and your skimmer is attempting to remove the particulates. I bet if you tested your nutrients right now, they'd be all sorts of out of wack. Take your skimmer offline for a bit and do 1 or 2 large water changes after your blackout period. This will lower the amount of particulates in the water and reduce the chances of your skimmer going crazy.

anthonygf · Sep 17, 2021

Drill a small hole in the collection cup to put a small hose into it, 1/2", 3/8", or 1/4". Insert the hose and seal it with hot glue or any other method. With the hose in the collection cup, run the hose down to a bucket with a water leak alarm to tell you when the bucket is near full. this is what I did when I was in your situation. You will never have to empty your cup again, just monitor and empty bucket.

JediCruz · Sep 17, 2021

anthonygf said:
Drill a small hole in the collection cup to put a small hose into it, 1/2", 3/8", or 1/4". Insert the hose and seal it with hot glue or any other method. With the hose in the collection cup, run the hose down to a bucket with a water leak alarm to tell you when the bucket is near full. this is what I did when I was in your situation. You will never have to empty your cup again, just monitor and empty bucket.

There’s already a drain setup but what’s happening is that when it starts to go crazy, water fills the cup faster than it can drain so that won’t help.

anthonygf · Sep 17, 2021

JediCruz said:
There’s already a drain setup but what’s happening is that when it starts to go crazy, water fills the cup faster than it can drain so that won’t help.

Oh, sorry. Wish I could help you.

JediCruz · Sep 17, 2021

Operator Wrasse said:
Your algae is dying off and your skimmer is attempting to remove the particulates. I bet if you tested your nutrients right now, they'd be all sorts of out of wack. Take your skimmer offline for a bit and do 1 or 2 large water changes after your blackout period. This will lower the amount of particulates in the water and reduce the chances of your skimmer going crazy.

So I just did a quick check on the Nitrates with a test strip (I’m working atm so I didn’t get a chance to do my normal test) and it looks like it’s still at 0 (could be zero but also be 20 ppm…. It’s not a good test below 20ppm) but I’ll verify it later with my regular test kit.

JediCruz · Sep 17, 2021

anthonygf said:
Oh, sorry. Wish I could help you.

It’s all good. It was a good suggestion

anthonygf · Sep 17, 2021

JediCruz said:
It’s all good. It was a good suggestion

The skimmer I had did not have a dedicated drain setup, so I made my own.

SteveMM62Reef · Sep 17, 2021

Carefully drill the Cup 1/2” from the top. Use a piece of Rigid tubing, in the hole, and attach your skimmer air intake hose to that. When the skimmer starts to overflow, the skimmer action will be halted till the foam dies down. Also this will keep any smells down from the skimmer cup. For your new skimmer and sump, I am suggesting you get a LifeReef. Get the minimum of a Skimmer, if you decide to not go with the sump. I’ve lost count of how many skimmers I’ve had in the past, the LifeReef is by far the best.

JediCruz · Sep 17, 2021

So here’s my nitrates. Still looks like 0 to me:

SteveMM62Reef · Sep 17, 2021

Uh, Oh; here we go with the upcoming bashing of API Kits. BTW I’ve had my water professionally tested, and it matched every one of API’s tests

JediCruz · Sep 17, 2021

SteveMM62Reef said:
Uh, Oh; here we go with the upcoming bashing of API Kits. BTW I’ve had my water professionally tested, and it matched every one of API’s tests

Yeah, when my Nitrates were at 50-60 ppm (which was rather recently…. See my build thread for more info) that was the kit that gave me that info. Now that it’s about 0 (yes I’ll need to get a ULM or LM kit to see where it’s at if I keep it that way) I’ll trust it for now.

JediCruz · Sep 17, 2021

SteveMM62Reef said:
Carefully drill the Cup 1/2” from the top. Use a piece of Rigid tubing, in the hole, and attach your skimmer air intake hose to that. When the skimmer starts to overflow, the skimmer action will be halted till the foam dies down. Also this will keep any smells down from the skimmer cup. For your new skimmer and sump, I am suggesting you get a LifeReef. Get the minimum of a Skimmer, if you decide to not go with the sump. I’ve lost count of how many skimmers I’ve had in the past, the LifeReef is by far the best.

This is how the skimmer is setup right now. Not sure this would do much since there’s already a hole where the are come’s in.

JediCruz · Sep 17, 2021

So I took a peak at the tank today and it still looks like all the algae is still there. Granted it’s only halfway through the 3 days, I wonder what changes in the next 1.5 days. Anyone else with experience that could enlighten me?

JediCruz · Sep 17, 2021

JediCruz · Sep 18, 2021

JediCruz · Sep 18, 2021

JediCruz · Sep 19, 2021

So here’s my tank after the blackout. Not perfect and I wasn’t expecting it to be. Hopefully now the the herbivores will take care of rest. Maybe I’ll do another 3 days in a feed weeks if there’s not change by then (or worse). A couple of observations:

1. The algae does look weaker and lighter.
2. Pandora, Halle Berry and another zoa I don’t remember the name of no longer have the brown and look way more pinkish.
3. There are copepods galore on the glass right now. I asume the clowns and sixline wrasse will take them out again in time.