Skimmer problem

michaels2408 · Jun 23, 2015

I have an ASM G1X Skimmer on a 90gal tank. This resides inside an eshopps 150 wet/dry sump. I am using a separate refugium and auto top off. My problem since the beginning:
My skimmer will not skim correctly without constantly adjusting. Today when I did my weekly 10% water change I had the perfect 3 day old wet skim. It was dark green and smelt icky. So I removed 10% of my water, and replaced it with 10% new water. Water is run through a 4 stage RO/DI and I have not changed my salt mixture. I did however increase the salinity of my mix to bump up tank salinity from salt loss. After adding my water back to the same level I started off, with my skimmer went nuts and filled up within seconds. I had to lower the tube to slow down skimming. The only change to my system was: 1 - empty skimmer, 2 - 10% water change. Oh, I did add a little SeaChem Stability, and Sera Aquatan.
So, what do I not comprehend about my system that is causing this drastic skimming change?

redfishbluefish · Jun 24, 2015

Is this a new tank? I'm trying to figure out why you are adding SeaChem Stability......I think this is bacteria in a bottle typically used on new tanks to shorten the cycle. I also have no idea what Sera Aquatan is and what it does. However, I think I can say with confidence that this stuff you're adding to your tank is making your skimmer go nuts. Stop adding it!

michaels2408 · Jun 24, 2015

Seachem Stability is bacteria and Sera Aquatan is a water conditioner. I add a little when introducing new live rock, live stock, water changes, or replacing filter pads. LFS and product description recommend the dosing. Will experiment with this, but never saw a correlation between addition of these items and my skimmer problem. My problem can be random.

shred5 · Jun 24, 2015

Water conditioner will make your skimmer go nuts. They are supposed to be added to your tap water not not the tank?
Water conditioners are used to remove chlorine and if you have no chlorine in your water you should not use a conditioner.
Also in a reef I recommend purified water via r/o or r/o-d/i which should have already removed the chlorine.

luke33 · Jun 24, 2015

^^^ Like Shred said, the water conditioner is whats causing your skimmer to go nuts. From what you said it sounded like two possibilities, something you were adding or your water level in the skimmer section rose up. I think we know what happened after your comment.