Skimmer gone crazy

[Caseyoidae]

Doing a five gallon water change on my 80 yesterday and this began happening. Any ideas? I may have knocked into it playing in the sump but I tip it off it's stand on occasion. It's now on it's lowest setting but I usually run it at about 60%. sca 302 skimmer

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

Any potential for contaminants in the bucket used for new water during change?

 

[Murica]

Whenever I do water changes (50 gallons every 45 days) I always have to shut my skimmer off for that exact reason. Adding new saltwater not only raises water level adding more water flow to the skimmer but it changes water chemistry slightly causing it to foam more. After like two hours or so I turn it back on

 

[Caseyoidae]

I don't think I contaminated anything. I do the same thing the same way every week. Water level changed very slightly but I corrected it with valves on the overflows. Should I just let it run as pictured and see if it sorts itself out? I left it off over night and the same thing happened today.

 

[Murica]

I don't think I contaminated anything. I do the same thing the same way every week. Water level changed very slightly but I corrected it with valves on the overflows. Should I just let it run as pictured and see if it sorts itself out?

I'm sure it'll level itself out if you let it run, you just may have to top off a little if it takes a lot of water out.

 

[ReeferMaddness843]

I'd agree to let it run if for nothing else than aeration. It'll slow down after a while.

 

[Caseyoidae]

Thanks, it's filling the cup every hour. I guess I'll just let it go nuts and mix up some water lol

 

[Selk Oner]

Did you use a new filter sock??

 

[Caseyoidae]

I washed them both at the same time I was changing water

 

[Mal11224]

It should level out eventually. When mine does this, I usually take the lid off of the collection cup and let the bubbles dissipate and eventually, the viscosity builds up to where the skimmate thickens. Need to watch your salinity if you are letting the water overflow into that bucket. Your ATO is probably working overtime.

 

[Selk Oner]

I washed them both at the same time I was changing water

How did you wash them if you don't mind me asking

 

[Tautog]

I had this problem, I cleaned the skimmer completely head to toe, and it worked itself out. I also see your sump where skimmer is, is very shallow.
Be sure to dry, with a clean towel, your cup after cleaning, assuming your washing in the sink with tap water.

 

[Caseyoidae]

Washed them in a bucket with hot water. no washing machine lol

 

[Timothy Butler]

Doing a five gallon water change on my 80 yesterday and this began happening. Any ideas? I may have knocked into it playing in the sump but I tip it off it's stand on occasion. It's now on it's lowest setting but I usually run it at about 60%. sca 302 skimmer

A 5-gallon water change is not enough do 10% a week or 20% every other week if you wait your Trace elements will disappear so when you do a water change you're not only changing the water but you're putting back Trace elements I have also found a good product for Coral growth it's called Reef fuel highly recommended my first dose and you could see the difference but your water changes 5 gallons at a time how many gallons is the tank including your sump

 

[Timothy Butler]

Every time you do a water change clean the protein skimmer it has impurities and waste on the walls that will limit the ability to skim properly the cleaner you keep your tank and a good clean up crew equals less maintenance time I run zero nitrates zero monia 8.4 500 on calcium what's a calcium reactor Aldi's all of these need attention and a good time is when your tank is shut down doing a water change keeping your protein skimmer clean is very crucial

 

[Caseyoidae]

Thanks, it's probably 80 gallons total

 

[Timothy Butler]

Thanks, it's probably 80 gallons total

Then it would be in your best interest and the coral two at least do 10% a week I do 20% every other week the corals will use up the trace elements and will start to just discolor and start to show signs of stress

 

[Caseyoidae]

Then it would be in your best interest and the coral two at least do 10% a week I do 20% every other week the corals will use up the trace elements and will start to just discolor and start to show signs of stress

Did another 5 to be safe, thanks

 

[Caseyoidae]

Thanks for the help everyone! Letting it run and find it's happy place is all it took. That 1/4" of water was all it took to throw it out of wack. Playing with it for hours did me no good because changes were happening to fast. Skimmer is now acting right

 

[Timothy Butler]

Then it would be in your best interest and the coral two at least do 10% a week I do 20% every other week the corals will use up the trace elements and will start to just discolor and start to show signs of stress

Also make sure when you shut down for maintenance clean your protein skimmer it is full of waste that inhibits the circulation and foaming from the protein skimmer do you have an adjustable skimmer to allow flow rate to regulate its use or do you have a protein skimmer that works on head pressure the amount of water bearing on the pump that is head pressure there is a big difference between the two but in order to keep a clean system clean air filtration system every two weeks if you have a large load of animals it will make your protein skimmer work harder