Skimmer not foaming correctly

[den75]

Can someone tell me why my skimmer is doing this. I removed the entire skimmer from the sump and gave it a freshwater/vinegar bath. It produced a normal foam for about 6 hrs then started doing this again. No clogs in the air intake or anything like that. It's a reef octopus 3000int.

 

[twilliard]

Not sure what i am seeing in the picture.
Does the water level get too high?
Excess foam?
Or overflowing

 

[den75]

Water level in the sump is consistent. It's not excess foam. I guess you can say not enough. Just a violent swirling of water and bubbles which eventually overflows the skimmer. It's a video if you click on it maybe you can see better.

 

[Downbeach]

How deep is the skimmer sitting in the water? If too deep, it can overflow. Have you adjusted the discharge/output valve to the proper water height in the body of the skimmer?

 

[den75]

How deep is the skimmer sitting in the water? If too deep, it can overflow. Have you adjusted the discharge/output valve to the proper water height in the body of the skimmer?

It's been sitting in the recommended 8-9 inches since it's been in service(about 2 years) I tried adjusting the output valve it just keeps going back to doing the same thing.

 

[redfishbluefish]

Open the output valve all the way and then slowly start to close it down.

And I'm not familiar with that skimmer, but I'm going to guess it also has an air valve....open that up all the way....and leave it open.

 

[den75]

Thanks, I'll give it a shot. No adjustment on the airline. It's always wide open.

 

[pickupman66]

I had one of those and 8-9 inches was always too deep on mine. It liked about 6 or 7. Also, if you don't clean the salt creep put of the venturi and hose it will cause water level to rise inside skimmer and overflow.

Great skimmers btw.

 

[redfishbluefish]

@pickupman66 , that was my other thought.....deposits on the venturi/volute where the air enters the pump. I actually had to pick this off with a scalpel. I tried soaking in vinegar overnight and that didn't do it.

 

[twilliard]

@pickupman66 , that was my other thought.....deposits on the venturi/volute where the air enters the pump. I actually had to pick this off with a scalpel. I tried soaking in vinegar overnight and that didn't do it.

I use a screwdriver every 2 weeks to clean mine out. I should be a dentist!
That stuff is hard as a rock

 

[pondman]

I use a drill bit it cleans the venturi input faster

 

[pickupman66]

RUnning Hot water usually works good enough for me and dissolving the salt deposits

 

[den75]

Thanks everyone. I'll look into all of the suggestions!

 

[NanaReefer]

If you heat the vinegar to a boil it increases the acidity 10 fold. Enough to dissolve crab shells instantly [emoji38]

 

[den75]

If you heat the vinegar to a boil it increases the acidity 10 fold. Enough to dissolve crab shells instantly [emoji38]

I'll have to remember that.