SKIMMER ISSUE

[benbalter]

Hi

Skimmer for last few weeks has been overflowing with just bubbles No skim mate and even on low setting I can not get it to calm down This was not acting this way in past Not sure what is going on

Thanks

Okay crazy question have you done a big water change before this happened? When I first started reefing I had this problem. Every time I did a big water change or dump in new water my skimmer over flowed for days. It will go away on its own just let it bubble out.

 

[wizard261]

Okay crazy question have you done a big water change before this happened? When I first started reefing I had this problem. Every time I did a big water change or dump in new water my skimmer over flowed for days. It will go away on its own just let it bubble out.

No

 

[wizard261]

is the skimmer a curve series bubble magus (wine bottle shape)?

post that picture when you can

Yes that's the one

 

[reeftivo]

Yes that's the one

okay cool

does your sump have an adjustable level for the skimmer section?

before you consider a stand to raise the skimmer try just grabbing the collar of the skimmer while it's running and lift the skimmer and inch or so off the bottom of the sump and hold it there suspended for a several seconds. the foam head should drop.

 

[benbalter]

No

No chemicals being added to treat any thing?

 

[wizard261]

is the skimmer a curve series bubble magus (wine bottle shape)?

post that picture when you can

yes

 

[wizard261]

okay cool

does your sump have an adjustable level for the skimmer section?

before you consider a stand to raise the skimmer try just grabbing the collar of the skimmer while it's running and lift the skimmer and inch or so off the bottom of the sump and hold it there suspended for a several seconds. the foam head should drop.

 

[wizard261]

okay cool

does your sump have an adjustable level for the skimmer section?

before you consider a stand to raise the skimmer try just grabbing the collar of the skimmer while it's running and lift the skimmer and inch or so off the bottom of the sump and hold it there suspended for a several seconds. the foam head should drop.

no level ajust I did that and yes level and foam drop

 

[wizard261]

No chemicals being added to treat any thing?

last chems was to treat cyno 2 weeks ago I think that may have been when this started not totally sure

 

[wizard261]

last chems was to treat cyno 2 weeks ago I think that may have been when this started not totally sure

it was smal area left over from when i did a rock cleaning for same

 

[reeftivo]

that's what probably spurred the whole thing so you may not even need to raise the skimmer.
chemiclean or red slime remover will make a skimmer go bonkers for days. it always best to either shut off a skimmer during treatment, or clean the cup and pull the cup drain plug while treating and just let the skimmer empty back into the sump. After the 24 hour treatment it is always best to do a water change and aggressively run carbon for at least another day before firing the skimmer back up.

i would run a large bag of carbon passively or in reactor in the sump if you haven't already and pull the drain plug off the cup. then see if it settles down. I've never used chemiclean but have used red slime remover successfully. My Akula went nuts so i pulled the plug and did the WC with carbon and it settled down after 24hrs.

 

[wizard261]

that's what probably spurred the whole thing so you may not even need to raise the skimmer.
chemiclean or red slime remover will make a skimmer go bonkers for days. it always best to either shut off a skimmer during treatment, or clean the cup and pull the cup drain plug while treating and just let the skimmer empty back into the sump. After the 24 hour treatment it is always best to do a water change and aggressively run carbon for at least another day before firing the skimmer back up.

i would run a large bag of carbon passively or in reactor in the sump if you haven't already and pull the drain plug off the cup. then see if it settles down. I've never used chemiclean but have used red slime remover successfully. My Akula went nuts so i pulled the plug and did the WC with carbon and it settled down after 24hrs.

I will try that monday when home Carbon I can get at lfs

 

[wizard261]

that's what probably spurred the whole thing so you may not even need to raise the skimmer.
chemiclean or red slime remover will make a skimmer go bonkers for days. it always best to either shut off a skimmer during treatment, or clean the cup and pull the cup drain plug while treating and just let the skimmer empty back into the sump. After the 24 hour treatment it is always best to do a water change and aggressively run carbon for at least another day before firing the skimmer back up.

i would run a large bag of carbon passively or in reactor in the sump if you haven't already and pull the drain plug off the cup. then see if it settles down. I've never used chemiclean but have used red slime remover successfully. My Akula went nuts so i pulled the plug and did the WC with carbon and it settled down after 24hrs.

For the past year its been running it has never done this Always able to control it The chem was about 2-3 wqekks ago shouldnt it be calm by now I also had skimmer off for 48hrs after plus i believe another 48 hrs afyter that

 

[reeftivo]

For the past year its been running it has never done this Always able to control it The chem was about 2-3 wqekks ago shouldnt it be calm by now I also had skimmer off for 48hrs after plus i believe another 48 hrs afyter that

You mentioned you already did WC. How long ago was that?

 

[wizard261]

You mentioned you already did WC. How long ago was that?

2-3 weeks

 

[reeftivo]

2-3 weeks

I would do another 5-10% WC then run a good amount of fresh carbon and see if it settles down after 24 to 48 hrs. How do you run carbon? Through a reactor or passively in a bag?

 

[wizard261]

I would do another 5-10% WC then run a good amount of fresh carbon and see if it settles down after 24 to 48 hrs. How do you run carbon? Through a reactor or passively in a bag?

I have never run carbon

 

[reeftivo]

I have never run carbon

If you don't have a reactor just run some carbon in bags like these in sump passively. they have zippers and are easy to fill and dump

get some good spec reef carbon like BRS sells.

 

[wizard261]

If you don't have a reactor just run some carbon in bags like these in sump passively. they have zippers and are easy to fill and dump

get some good spec reef carbon like BRS sells.

Should I do a water change then run the carbon. Also my phosphate r at 0. Will the carbon effect that

 

[reeftivo]

Should I do a water change then run the carbon. Also my phosphate r at 0. Will the carbon effect that

water change then carbon is fine. carbon won't affect the phosphates.

i would try to keep some detectable nitrate and phosphate though so your corals dont starve. Also ultra low nutrients can let dinoflagellates get a foothold and start outcompeting other beneficial bacteria.