Skimmer keeps overflowing

[jasonrusso]

I've been running the Red Sea C-130 for about 2 years. It took me about a month to tune the skimmer, but once I did it had been working VERY well. It overflows from time to time but I think all skimmers do that from time to time.

The last week or 2 have been very frustrating. It constantly overflows for 3 days, then starts calming down. It works fine for 2 days then starts overflowing again!! It's a real fine foam, not bubbles.

The skimmer line is not restricted. The skimmer line is run outside, but my other tank doesn't have any issue. I've pulled the pump out 2 times to clean it with no success. I run carbon in the tank as well.

Now, my pistol shrimp has been possessed for the last week or so. I'm not 100% sure if that's when this started, but he had been re-landscaping the tank. Can he be stirring some stuff up causing the skimmer to react? I added a few frags, but I am using the same glue I've always used without an issue, and it is usually a day or so later anyway.

Can one of the corals be releasing something in the water?

 

[Crabs McJones]

Have you started or changed any dosing habits? Have you given the unit a cleaning recently?

 

[jasonrusso]

Have you started or changed any dosing habits? Have you given the unit a cleaning recently?

Been dosing the same reef fusion for 2 years. Haven't changed settings in months.

As the post said, I took the pump apart 2 times to check for anything. I blew through all the airlines to check for a restriction. Right now it is operating fine after overflowing last night.

 

[jasonrusso]

I think I solved it. Last night I removed the entire skimmer. I cleaned it out, but I didn't really notice anything. I took another look at the pump and I found that the airline port on the pump inlet was restricted to a pinhole. I cleaned out the restriction and it has been running normally since. I think that at times a piece of debris was blocking the small hole. I'll report back in a few days.