Skimmer overflow; let it run or turn it off?

[nim6us]

So my skimmer tends to overflow whenever I change out the filter floss. Normally I have to wait an hour or so and then it's fine. However today I not only changed the filter floss, but did the first water change I've done in months and my skimmer is UPSET! It's been nearly 4 hours since I did the changes and it's still frothing like a volcano. I got desperate and even cranked it wide open so I could bring down the bubbles, but it didn't help.

Skimmer functions seem so simple, but it feels like voodoo whenever I deal with mine. Maybe I'm just a tinkerer, but it's so hard for me to get it exactly dialed in. Then I do get it just where I want it, I make some change to the tank and it freaks out! So frustrating!

Anyway sorry that was mostly venting...

What I'm trying to find out is when the skimmer does go crazy what should I do?

• A) Take the cup off and let it overflow until it settles down

• B) Leave it turned off and check every 2-4 hours until it settles back down

 

[Muttley000]

What kind of skimmer? I would remove the cap and let it run if I was in that spot I think

 

[Scurvy]

I typically remove the entire cup and cover the top of the skimmer with a big zip lock bag to contain the mess. You could also try running RODI through the floss/pad like your wringing out a sponge before dropping it in the water to see if that helps stop the overflow.

 

[nim6us]

@Muttley000 It's a Nyos Quantum 160. It's a good skimmer, it just seems to be very sensitive to some changes.

I've been reefing about a year, and it's just a question I've never asked/got answered. I don't know if letting the skimmer run and overflow is actually helping the situation. Or if it's just a matter of water parameters, and letting it run or turning it off really doesn't make a difference, that like with all things it's just time.

I was hoping some one could confirm it for me one way or the other.

 

[Muttley000]

Well my thinking is you will keep oxygen levels and ph higher with it running, and you will know at a glance when it is OK to put the cap back on instead of taking it on and off potentially several times

 

[KrisReef]

I have a similar skimmer with a drain hose on the cup. If I am doing something in the tank that I know is going to cause an overflow, I mix up an extra gallon (or 5) of fresh salt mix and put the skimmer hose into a 5 gallon waste bucket and let it overflow until it gets the excess foam out of the system. I end up with an extra ~5 gallons of water change and don't have to fiddle with the skimmer adjustment, just let the overflow run its course.

 

[Will Wohlers]

The reason it does it with a sock change is it breaks the surface tension so skimmer goes nuts. When I water change my skimmer always backs down for a while.

 

[Indymann99]

If your skimmer overflows (and people worry about it dumping gunk back in the tank), remember its no worse than if it never removed the gunk in the first place.

 

[nim6us]

Just a follow up...

I actually decided to read the filter floss bag and it instructs you to rinse in warm water first. I tried it today and it really helped! I still had to leave the skimmer off about 15 minutes, but then turned it on and it was perfectly fine.

So big thumbs up to everyone who suggested that!

 

[cracker]

@num6us Just curious does this skimmer have both water volume & air adjust?

 

[nim6us]

Yes it has both. I’ve been running it with the air adjuster full open.

I’ll be honest, I don’t really understand how to tune the air airflow except that if it gets too choked off the motor gets really loud. I know it has something to do with getting smaller skimmer bubbles which means picking up more particulates. But I’m unclear how tight I should close it.

I know it’s a little off topic but if you can advise I’m all ears

 

[cracker]

I MO think that's good to leave the air wide open, more air more micro bubbles . I was curiously sure the extra control was throwing your skimmer out of adjust.

 

[ReefTeacher]

you might try raising the skimmer up an inch or two and see if that helps.