Skimmer Woes (sudden)

themcfreak · Sep 16, 2020

Reaching for anything, but I can't figure out what might have happened. Suddenly, last night, my skimmer went into crazy overflow mode. And has been there ever since. I have a variable speed pump, so I dropped the speed from 70% to 20%, and it stopped pulling in so much air, but literally pumped water straight up the chute into the cup at 20%. I ended up opening the 'release valve' (not sure what it is really called' to allow more water to drain out down instead in the cup, and left the pump at 30% overnight.

This morning, still in the same boat.

I haven't added anything new to the tank, nothing affected the tank at the time it happened, etc. Any ideas what might cause this?

Snoopy 67 · Sep 16, 2020

Sounds like something got into the valve the water drains through & you had to open the valve to purge it but it's still there. Time for an inspection & cleaning.

fishguy242 · Sep 16, 2020

hi,did you check air intake for obstuction,sounds like a blockage of some sort ,pump pushing water with out enough air,pull hose ,poke pipe cleaner through

themcfreak · Sep 16, 2020

I did check air intake. Didn't check the valve. Opening it, it definitely has water/air flowing out, but maybe something is in there. will check that part tonight.

themcfreak · Sep 16, 2020

No blockages on the intake or drain pipe :/ Still just going crazy

fishguy242 · Sep 17, 2020

hi,sorry just quick scanned your build,very nice!! octopus int 150 skimmer in question, would disassemble the pump see if something is lodged in impeller,or has broken tines on impeller,lets go from there

we know pump is working ,seems like an air mix problem

themcfreak · Sep 17, 2020

Thanks so much @fishguy242

Will do tonight. This morning, bubbles looked better. Still running low and bubbles are high, but they were much less wet than they have been past 2 days.