Skimmer overflowing

Xclusive Reef · Feb 20, 2019

I am not sure how to stop my skimmer from overflowing. I have the JBJ 45 gallon and going on 3 weeks with no water changes. All parameters are good as to why no WC. I added Fritz monster 460 2 days ago and 48+ hours later I can't get the skimmer to work. I was trying to avoid doing a water change so looking for other's opinions on what to do.

Greybeard · Feb 20, 2019

Hard to tell from that photo, but it looks as if the skimmer is too deep... needs to be lifted some.

New skimmers commonly take some break in time, a week or so, but from the looks of this, it's either Way out of adjustment, or it's sitting too deep in the water.

MaiReef · Feb 20, 2019

Two things. Raise the skimmer up with a stand(I used acylic from Melev's reef) permanently or open up the skimmer and reduce airflow temporarily.

Xclusive Reef · Feb 20, 2019

Grey - It is not a new skimmer been up for few months.. (only happened after adding 409)
Maireef - I have tried to raise it as high as it goes and still overflows, I have also tried to cover the air vent

Xclusive Reef · Feb 20, 2019

looks like I have it under control now. I covered the air vent and it stopped the flow but will it damage the pump?

Duffer · Feb 20, 2019

what is 409?

skimmers react to many changes in your system ( could be as simple as changing your filter socks, to doing a water change or chemicals that may contain polymers). usually the overflowing will come down after a few hrs to a few days.

FGourdin · Feb 20, 2019

Now that cutting off the air has stopped the overflow might consider putting a thumb screw tubing clamp on the air line tubing and gradually opening it up.

sergifed91 · Feb 20, 2019

mine would just overflow for no reason. and end up with a lot of water on the floor. thank god it's concrete. but I ended up putting a skimmer sensor on it from BRS. and never had another overflow problem again. although I have a lot of false alarms. those I don't mind to much. it saves a lot of water on the floor.

Jon Fishman · Feb 20, 2019

Did you add any additives/chemicals to the water recently?

Xclusive Reef · Feb 20, 2019

Jon Fishman said:
Did you add any additives/chemicals to the water recently?

Yes I added Fritz monster 460 2 days ago its on my post.....

Xclusive Reef · Feb 20, 2019

new setup said:
mine would just overflow for no reason. and end up with a lot of water on the floor. thank god it's concrete. but I ended up putting a skimmer sensor on it from BRS. and never had another overflow problem again. although I have a lot of false alarms. those I don't mind to much. it saves a lot of water on the floor.

I assume you have / had a hob skimmer? My skimmer is in my AIO tank so no way to ever get water on the floor as it flows into the tank. What sensor did you put on your skimmer? if you mean a sensor to turn off the skimmer then its going to shut off the skimmer if it overflows but does not resolve WHY it is overflowing.

Hemmdog · Feb 20, 2019

Xclusive Reef said:
Yes I added Fritz monster 460 2 days ago its on my post.....

That is why my friend. Happens to me to when I used to use waste away. It’s very annoying, I don’t use bottled bacteria anymore for this reason. I use Nopox now and haven’t had the same issue with my skimmer going nuts.