Skimmer Overflow on Vacation

[Trenton Henderson]

So the last two times I’ve been on vacation, I have had my skimmer (Aquamaxx ConeS Q-1) attached to an old milk jug to collect skimmate. Seemingly randomly, however, the skimmer has overflowed and flooded the jug, leading to my caretakers cleaning up the mess.

This last trip, they sent me a picture of the jug and it only had an inch and a half of dark brown skimmate in it, but a day and a half later, it had completely flooded. Between those two trips, I monitored it and it didn’t do it for three weeks, so it feels as though it’s something the people taking care of the place are doing.

Any ideas as to what would cause it to do this? It happened towards the end of the week both times I was away.

I’m going to move a small container into the sump so that it will still collect, but I’d it overflows, it will return to the tank.

 

[Uncle99]

Overfeeding?
What goes in is pulled by the skimmer.

A blockage in the Venturi?

 

[Trenton Henderson]

Overfeeding?
What goes in is pulled by the skimmer.

A blockage in the Venturi?

Overfeeding shouldn’t result in a spontaneous one gallon flooding of the skimmer. It should be a ramp up in standard production of skimmate.

The production returns to normal after the episode, so the Venturi is clear.

 

[exnisstech]

I don't know why it would overflow but maybe it would be easier to just turn it off while your gone.

 

[Trenton Henderson]

I don't know why it would overflow but maybe it would be easier to just turn it off while your gone.

I’ve thought about it, but I’m worried organics will build up too much.

 

[exnisstech]

I don't even have a skimmer on this tank so I think you would probably be fine JMO

 

[Trenton Henderson]

I don't even have a skimmer on this tank so I think you would probably be fine JMO

How many fish? Do you have a fuge?

 

[exnisstech]

How many fish? Do you have a fuge?

5 fish fed heavily 2-3 times a day. I only feed frozen and when I do I flood the tank so it looks like a snow storm. I do have a fuge with chaeto but I rarely harvest the chaeto because I don't like removing the critters that live there. I won't argue the benifits of a skimmer but I will say they aren't necessary based on my experience. In addition to the tank shown I have a 180g mixed reef 8 years old that went years with no skimmer. I currently have a skimmer on it but I have left it off for days when I forgot to turn it back in and didn't notice any difference. The difference in my tanks with vs without a skimmer is zero and I would probably not replace them if they were to fail.
Maybe do a trial run with it off while your home just to see?

 

[Trenton Henderson]

5 fish fed heavily 2-3 times a day. I only feed frozen and when I do I flood the tank so it looks like a snow storm. I do have a fuge with chaeto but I rarely harvest the chaeto because I don't like removing the critters that live there. I won't argue the benifits of a skimmer but I will say they aren't necessary based on my experience. In addition to the tank shown I have a 180g mixed reef 8 years old that went years with no skimmer. I currently have a skimmer on it but I have left it off for days when I forgot to turn it back in and didn't notice any difference. The difference in my tanks with vs without a skimmer is zero and I would probably not replace them if they were to fail.
Maybe do a trial run with it off while your home just to see?

I have no doubts that a tank can run without one. I was just curious what your input was. The only reason I hesitate turning it off is because I have pretty high CO2 in the house, so it really helps oxygenate the water.