Skimmer Help

saltnewb · Mar 9, 2017

I have an Eshopps nano skimmer, sits in sump, and the collection cup keeps filling up within a few minutes of plugging the dang thing in. I would love to use it all the time, but this issue has gotta stop. Any suggestions and experiences with this skimmer is appreciated.

Thanks,

Flippers4pups · Mar 9, 2017

Need some help on this one, I've never owned one. Is sitting in the recommended water level? Does the skimmer have its own section of the sump that has a constant level, even when you turn off the power?

#reefsquad maybe can help here.

johnny1381 · Mar 9, 2017

Raise the skimmer until it stops. It's probably sitting too deep.

saltnewb · Mar 9, 2017

from what i've seen in pictures and videos, i have mine sitting higher up than all of them. i'll move to a different section of the sump and see if that helps. i'll keep you posted. thanks!

saltnewb · Mar 9, 2017

so i moved it to a different section, not next to where the water comes into the refugium and it's still doing the same thing.

saltnewb · Mar 9, 2017

raised it up even higher and still overflowing into the collection cup. I think i'm going to just trash it and go without a skimmer. that eshopps nano skimmer worked a couple times, but mostly just sucks.

CodyRVA · Mar 9, 2017

Have you tried youtube? I'd imagine you should be able to figure it out with some more input. That being said, I had a HOB Eshopps skimmer and it did the exact same thing, just kept filling with water. I got it for free, never figured it out. Ended up going with Reef Octopus and now Skimz, awesome protein skimmers.

saltnewb · Mar 9, 2017

the only thing i could find on youtube was some video of some guy spraying his overflowing skimmer with something, but the comments almost all pointed out they would have to keep spraying the foam to keep it down. I'm trying one last adjustment and hoping for good results. hasn't overflowed yet, but almost have the skimmer is out of the water and it's supposed to be in the water.

Blacktank · Mar 10, 2017

How long has it been running. It can take a couple weeks to break in from oils when manufactured

saltnewb · Mar 10, 2017

i bought it used and i've had it for a few weeks now. after the adjustment I made last night, it seems to be working like it should now. the collection cup isn't full of water and there is some nasty stuff in there.

ahiggins · Mar 10, 2017

johnny1381 said:
Raise the skimmer until it stops. It's probably sitting too deep.

Agreed. I have one as well and if you're seeing it fill up too quickly it's either oils from food (I see it every time with roe) or sitting too low. If it's the magnetic one, try to get the water level about a half inch from the seal where the cup gets pushed in. That's where I have the best luck. Also these are touchy sometimes. I have to adjust it a lot. I just check it once a day.

saltnewb · Mar 10, 2017

it started working great and it is ~1 inch from the seal, the blue magnet part on the body of the skimmer is about 1/4" above the water line. When it was 1/2" from the seal, it was still filling up the collection cup with water in a couple minutes.

ahiggins · Mar 10, 2017

saltnewb said:
it started working great and it is ~1 inch from the seal, the blue magnet part on the body of the skimmer is about 1/4" above the water line. When it was 1/2" from the seal, it was still filling up the collection cup with water in a couple minutes.

interesting....you must have a good bit of oil in the tank or just did a water change.
fresh RODI always makes mine bubbly and the oils just make it go CRAZY

saltnewb · Mar 10, 2017

my last WC was this past Sunday. maybe it's the oil? I did put a lot of elbow grease into my tank recently.

CodyRVA · Mar 10, 2017

saltnewb said:
my last WC was this past Sunday. maybe it's the oil? I did put a lot of elbow grease into my tank recently.

Even if that's true, that's still a horrid product. Hopefully it's the water height and it works out!

saltnewb · Mar 13, 2017

So I've noticed this skimmer, and I don't know if it's all skimmers or just this one, is way more productive at night time when the refugium light is on. During the day time, dark time for the refugium, it generates almost nothing. The skimmer sits in the refugium.

Is that how skimmers usually work?