Skimmer Keeps Filling with Water....

[Nate92]

Hello,

I just about have my first tank up and running, but my skimmer keeps filling with water (see pictures for reference). It is a custom Lifereef skimmer that I bought on Craigslist. The red output valve is all the way open. I also tried raising/propping the skimmer up a few inches in the sump tank. Any ideas for what might be causing this problem? Thank you very much.

-Nate

 

[Travis Stewart]

Dial it down so that the bubbles are being created at the neck below the skimmate cup

 

[theMeat]

Not enough air/bubbles ?

Check and clean air intake, especially down on pump/Venturi

 

[Nate92]

Not enough air/bubbles ?

Check and clean air intake, especially down on pump/Venturi

Thanks for your quick response. So, that picture was taken with all power off. When everything is powered on, air bubbles fill the entire column till the water itself overflows into the skimmer....

 

[Nate92]

Dial it down so that the bubbles are being created at the neck below the skimmate cup

Hi, Travis. Thanks for your response. What do you mean by dial it down? Do you mean the power of the pump? Unfortunately, the pump is non-controllable...

 

[Travis Stewart]

Hi, Travis. Thanks for your response. What do you mean by dial it down? Do you mean the power of the pump? Unfortunately, the pump is non-controllable...

There should be a way to turn a knob to allow more water in/out. Looks like from the picture it may be the orange knob.

 

[BigHildy53]

While I'm not familiar with your skimmer, you should have a dial to control the water level in the skimmer chamber.

 

[Reefpuck]

Other things can cause it to go bubble crazy. That epoxy putty you would add to your tank to mount frags/corals can cause it to go crazy. Some medications can cause it to go nuts. I'm not sure what the proper specs are for your skimmer...but it looks like it's a bit deep in the water. It also might need to just break in so to speak. I would open the valve of your skimmer up so bubbles aren't getting anywhere near the skimmer cup....and then over the next few days or weeks slowly close off the adjustable valve.

 

[Reefpuck]

Being a new tank...you're not gonna have a whole lot for the skimmer to pull out anyways...so you got plenty of time to dial it in.

 

[sageghost]

Are you by chance running with a “new” filter sock? For me, brand new filter socks causes my skimmers to bubble uncontrollably for a spell. I have to soak mine for a day or so prior to using them to prevent the uncontrolled skimmer bubbling over.

 

[BranchingHammer]

Check what the manufacturer recommends as a water level, then raise the skimmer up with egg rate or acrylic or anything. Then dial in.

 

[Nate92]

Hey, everyone. Thanks for your responses- I was able to figure it out. The output valve (which was completely open) couldn't be submerged in the water. Unfortunately, however, the dimensions of the skimmer and the dimensions of my stand won't allow me to raise up the skimmer to the necessary height. So, looks like I'm in the market for a new skimmer :/ Thanks again to everyone for your help!

 

[Nate92]

There should be a way to turn a knob to allow more water in/out. Looks like from the picture it may be the orange knob.

Hey, Travis. I was able to figure it out. The output valve (which was completely open and controlled by the red knob) couldn't be submerged in the water. Unfortunately, however, the dimensions of the skimmer and the dimensions of my stand won't allow me to raise up the skimmer to the necessary height. So, looks like I'm in the market for a new skimmer :/ Thanks again for your help!

 

[Travis Stewart]

Hey, Travis. I was able to figure it out. The output valve (which was completely open and controlled by the red knob) couldn't be submerged in the water. Unfortunately, however, the dimensions of the skimmer and the dimensions of my stand won't allow me to raise up the skimmer to the necessary height. So, looks like I'm in the market for a new skimmer :/ Thanks again for your help!

Great glad you got it figured out!!

 

[Sparkymarc]

I had to raise the skimmer up about 3 inches to keep mine from overflowing. Most skimmers have preferred water level