Skimmer help

[bmbpka]

reposting this outside of the skimmer q&a threaded. Not sure how much people view that.

I’ve had my skimmer going for just about a month now and the skimmate has been dry. Yesterday as I was messing around under the tank, I noticed it was wet. Drained the cup and it’s filling quickly with very wet skimmate. Is this a “break in” thing? I swear I read that somewhere on here before but can’t find the post now.

 

[roberthu526]

Of you post pics or videos it would help tremendously

 

[cracker]

I would think after a month it should be fairly broke in . Lets see what others say. I did a skimmer that was very touchy for a month or so in the beginning.

 

[JoshH]

Is this just a recent thing? Did you add anything to your tank? Chemicals, carbon dosing, glue down frags etc?

 

[bmbpka]

I will post pictures as soon as I get home tonight.

 

[bmbpka]

Is this just a recent thing? Did you add anything to your tank? Chemicals, carbon dosing, glue down frags etc?

Just happened. I added 4 pieces of coral the day before. Glued some down. However, I have add glue before, same glue. The skimmate is almost clear now. Before this, the skimmate was very dark and on the drier side. Foam in the cup for a day then setttled to liquid.

Ten before I noticed this, I was cleaning debris in the tank. Bare bottom tank.

 

[Gareth elliott]

Did the water level change? I have had a skimmer go crazy over filtration changes; adding poly filter, reactors etc. anything that changes the ionic balance of the water. The poly filter took a week for the skimmer to work properly again.

 

[JoshH]

To me it seems like your skimmer is just reacting to something in the water and will settle out in a few days. It could be the glue and you used a little more than before and that was enough to make the skimmer react.

 

[bmbpka]

Photos as requested. Water level has changed. I actually adjusted the water exit portion to help the skimmate become dryer. My collection cup is filling fast. ATO is going nuts now too due to this.

 

[roberthu526]

Did you open skimmer overflow gate all the way open? If you did and the skimmer is still filling up wet then there is something in the water. Did you add new filter socks without washing first or did you use soap based detergent to wash the socks?

 

[bmbpka]

I didn’t go all the way, just a slight adjustment. I had just replaced the sock prior to this. MAYBE there was some residual in the sock left from the wash. I NEVER use soap. Wash with hot water and that’s it.

When you say “all the way open” you mean so that it produces the driest skimmate possible?

 

[cracker]

The adjust can/should be able to produce nothing to over flowing . Gotta get the setting right. Any changes , Water changes, using additives, glueing frags etc can cause your skimmer to act up. Need to keep an eye on it after any changes.

 

[bmbpka]

I have it set to nothing now. Because of how fast it was filling up. Maybe it always does this and I’ve never noticed?

 

[roberthu526]

I am guessing something was on that filter sock you replaced. It happened to me once when I just got in the hobby and I used Tide to wash my filter socks. Overflowed like crazy for a good week before I finally did a 90% water change. Luckily it was a 40 breeder.

 

[bmbpka]

I just changed mine out to be safe. Even though if there was something it’s probably too late now.

 

[bobman]

That skimmer look like a reef octo bh-50 which is a smaller skimmer. Most smaller skimmers tend to skim wet I know the bh-50 I had always skimmed wet. With that said it shouldn't be overflowing the cup as fast as you describe. You can try raising the skimmer up a little but it appears it is already pretty high but that usually works.

 

[bmbpka]

That skimmer look like a reef octo bh-50 which is a smaller skimmer. Most smaller skimmers tend to skim wet I know the bh-50 I had always skimmed wet. With that said it shouldn't be overflowing the cup as fast as you describe. You can try raising the skimmer up a little but it appears it is already pretty high but that usually works.

It is that skimmer. It was pretty dry for a month, emptied the cup maybe once a week. Now it’s just clear water almost and I’m emptying before bed, when I wake up and when I get home from work. Def something wrong.

 

[bmbpka]

Now I’m really worried I contaminated my tank. Stylo is partially closed since I’ve been home....;Blackeye;Nailbiting

 

[TexasTodd]

Lots of things can do this. It was probably the sock.
Dial it open. Then you'll probably have to dial it more closed tomorrow.
I wouldn't worry too much unless things really start to look bad in the tank.

 

[bmbpka]

Thanks for all the help everyone!