Skimmer Issue
- Thread starter ericegg01
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ericegg01
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"Again in all my experience and tanks I've never had this problem with a skimmer but I have never used this brand before either... "
In all did not constitute "experienced" - Not sure what about my frustration led you to lash out but... moving on.
Isn't lowering water level in essence the same as making a platform?
If I had 8" water to start with and raised the skimmer 2" would I not be in 6" of water and still be mm away from pump inlet. I don't understand the logic, I'm at fault for lowering the water 2" to 6" total? Maybe you thought I meant return pump which is my fault then as I assumed readers knew I was talking about the skimmer.
Last thing I need is an argument but thanks for the help.
In all did not constitute "experienced" - Not sure what about my frustration led you to lash out but... moving on.
Isn't lowering water level in essence the same as making a platform?
If I had 8" water to start with and raised the skimmer 2" would I not be in 6" of water and still be mm away from pump inlet. I don't understand the logic, I'm at fault for lowering the water 2" to 6" total? Maybe you thought I meant return pump which is my fault then as I assumed readers knew I was talking about the skimmer.
Last thing I need is an argument but thanks for the help.
homer1475
Figuring out the hobby one coral at a time.
Sorry didn't mean to come off as combative. Again sorry for that. And yes I did assume you meant return pump.
What we mean by raising the skimmer(has nothing to do with the pump), is to physically raise the skimmer. Measure from the feet of the skimmer, to the top of the water.
EDIT:
Every brand new skimmer I have owned, over skimmed until broke in. Sometimes it was a couple days, sometimes it was a week, and sometimes it was hours. It's all dependent on the skimmer.
What we mean by raising the skimmer(has nothing to do with the pump), is to physically raise the skimmer. Measure from the feet of the skimmer, to the top of the water.
EDIT:
Every brand new skimmer I have owned, over skimmed until broke in. Sometimes it was a couple days, sometimes it was a week, and sometimes it was hours. It's all dependent on the skimmer.
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ericegg01
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Maybe this will help people understand a little better what I'm up against. The manufacture states the recommended level is between 7"-9" whether I raise the skimmer or lower the water I'm below that recommended level. I can hear the impeller in the pump have difficulties when I'm at 6". Yet at the minimum level of 7" I still produce the original picture I posted.
If I destroy the pump due to my incompetence of having the skimmer below it's recommended value I won't get assistance from the manufacturer should the product be defective.
All I was looking for from this community was help since I'm not getting it from Skimz sorry for disturbing you all with my problems.
If I destroy the pump due to my incompetence of having the skimmer below it's recommended value I won't get assistance from the manufacturer should the product be defective.
All I was looking for from this community was help since I'm not getting it from Skimz sorry for disturbing you all with my problems.
thewackyreefer
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Oh good lord, just let it run for a couple weeks like EVERYONE in this thread has told you.
It's that easy.
Listen and learn.
It's that easy.
Listen and learn.
I'm currently breaking-in my first skimmer with my first SW tank, and 'that there' phrase is one i saw many times while researching what skimmer to get. Even knowing what to expect, I still questioned what the heck was going on. lol I have the Bubble Magus Curve Elite 5.
The first couple of days it went crazy. I left the collection cup off at first and then put it on and opened the drain in the cup to let the overflow, flow into the sump. It settled down after 2.5 days and then went in the opposite direction and would only reach the top of the skimmer body and not into the collection cup. ;Hilarious I'm like, what the heck. This morning it's coming back up and is now reaching the bottom of the collection cup.
The moral of the story: Just let it run and it'll do its thing.........................................eventually.
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ericegg01
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This wasn't helpful
This was... like others you shared your experience... thank you.
I get it... it's all I can do.
I never had this problem before which is out of the norm from MY experience, which is making me question everything, I don't see why some are having trouble understanding this...
thewackyreefer
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Nobody is having trouble understanding your issue. I think we're all having trouble understanding why you ask a question, receive answers and refuse to acknowledge or listen to them.
Hence, people replying the way they are...
I won't apologize for my responses, but, it seems you finally got the point.
Hence, people replying the way they are...
I won't apologize for my responses, but, it seems you finally got the point.
southerntnreefer
Valuable Member
I feel thats an octopus thing. I have 2, and both are a PITA to get apart and clean. Im kind of glad, my old 150 classic wont fit in my sump for the new build, so i can try someone else.
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ericegg01
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"I've done all that everyone has suggested" Post #14
"I soaked/cleaned it with vinegar before putting it into the system" #19
"I lowered my sump waterline rather than raised the skimmer" #17
"which is making me question everything"
Seriously?
It's like you never had a problem before, I'm sorry this is troubling for you, but maybe stop reading then it won't get you so mad.
southerntnreefer
Valuable Member
My classic 150 is a tank, but its also a PITA to clean. I have a super reef octo 5000 i think it is downstairs on the 220, and its a great skimmer, but again they didnt exactly save space and or ease of use when building. Ill be getting a Bubble Magnus for the 72, as i love love love Reef Octopus, but they are not 1 quiet, or 2 easy to clean. I need both on that build.
I have actually fine tuned This exact skimmer on this tank 2 years ago. Starting it back up and trying to get a good foam has been challenging through the cycle process. I would have it dialed in all day. Then comes nutrient transport mode and completely fill up the cup. Then I dump it completely clean the next and start over. So then seems like dialed in and diatoms pop up. I have nothing in the tank and has been set up for 40 days. The point is it tough to get them dialed in sometimes. Idk how big your tank is but on smaller tanks feeding certain foods make them go nuts.
I have to say skimmers can be a pain. I have an external so I can regulate the in-comming water and exiting water. After a year someone said maybe I should clean it. I cleaned the neck and cup. Big mistake. Took about 1 month to get it dialed back in. Over flowed so adjusted, then no skim, adjusted then over flow. adjusted then....... I will only clean the cup and not anything inside including the cup neck.
Uncle99
10K Club member
If you recently used epoxy to glue some rock work, the curing reaction changes the surface tension and results in tons of skimand/or micro bubbles.
once. Fully cured, back to normal.
just trying to rule that known cause out
once. Fully cured, back to normal.
just trying to rule that known cause out
Terry Mattson
Well-Known Member
Adjust the skimmer air intake to closed then open just enough to not overflow. After the foam goes down then increase air a little. May take a few days.
Quietman
2500 Club Member
No advice, just sharing a bit...
What a frustrating experience breaking in skimmers can be. Mine took forever. Vinegar cleaning, height adjustments, speed adjustments (DC control) and still...wwwwwhhhhhhiiiiiiiissssssshhhhhh....all over my sump. New tank of course and luckily no livestock. After two weeks of letting it run like that I grew so flippin' frustrated...my dog would run and hide when she saw me opening the cabinet door in anticipation of the string of profanity that was sure to follow. Got so mad I turned it off for a week, hitting the power switch with as much attitude as I could muster. After a week or more, i turned it on again and sigh....wwwwwhhhhhhiiiiiiiissssssshhhhhh...all over again. This time it had won, I was a beaten man. "Heck with it, let run like this forever, I don't care".
Three days later, opened the cabinet, there's no "wwwwwhhhhhhiiiiiiiissssssshhhhhh" sound and a tea colored skimmate sitting pretty as you please in the cup.
Dog no longer runs, but still keeps an eye on me opening the cabinet door...just in case I presume.
What a frustrating experience breaking in skimmers can be. Mine took forever. Vinegar cleaning, height adjustments, speed adjustments (DC control) and still...wwwwwhhhhhhiiiiiiiissssssshhhhhh....all over my sump. New tank of course and luckily no livestock. After two weeks of letting it run like that I grew so flippin' frustrated...my dog would run and hide when she saw me opening the cabinet door in anticipation of the string of profanity that was sure to follow. Got so mad I turned it off for a week, hitting the power switch with as much attitude as I could muster. After a week or more, i turned it on again and sigh....wwwwwhhhhhhiiiiiiiissssssshhhhhh...all over again. This time it had won, I was a beaten man. "Heck with it, let run like this forever, I don't care".
Three days later, opened the cabinet, there's no "wwwwwhhhhhhiiiiiiiissssssshhhhhh" sound and a tea colored skimmate sitting pretty as you please in the cup.
Dog no longer runs, but still keeps an eye on me opening the cabinet door...just in case I presume.
