Somatic 60s Overflowing

[PDR]

I just got a somatic skimmer 60s and after running it in a vinegar-water solution for 24 hours added it to my sump. I know skimmers have a break in period but from what I have read they usually under skim vs overflow. Mine has been running in the sump for a couple of days and is still overflowing like crazy.

I have it in 6 1/2" of water and the pipe adjustment is turned to 100 which from what I read should be the lowest water setting (and when I turn it to 50 or 0 it just gets worse). When I turn the skimmer on (I only turn it off when I turn my return pump off for feeding) the bubbles just shoot to the top and start overflowing almost immediately (it did not do this for the first few hours). It is also pumping tons of microbubbles into the sump.

I am primarily running this skimmer to help with my low PH issues, so I don't want to install the air valve to reduce air flow if I don't have to.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

@Rakie I think you have one as well, any tips?

 

[Retro Reefer]

It could be it just needs to run a while and build up a biofilm you can just let it drain back into sump as you are doing and see if it gets straightened out.

It may also be something in your water that’s causing it such as reef epoxy or certain foods/additives

To help with your micro bubbles I would rotate skimmer 180 deg so outlet it opposite the pump chamber, this will give bubbles more time to disperse.. a foam block in the partition before return pump section will also help with micro bubbles and I wouldn’t be afraid to reduce air if you have to you will still get plenty of gas exchange.

 

[Rakie]

It needs to be broken in, and you need the air control valve. There's a small valve that goes into the Venturi line. It allows you to fine adjust the air your skimmer is getting.

This little thing is 100% crucial for initial setup and fine tuning.

ALL vertex skimmers come with them. If yours didn't, contact them.

You may also need to run a little carbon to get something out if your water. Otherwise it just needs to be broken in. Leave the cups drain open and just let it flow for awhile

 

[PDR]

It needs to be broken in, and you need the air control valve. There's a small valve that goes into the Venturi line. It allows you to fine adjust the air your skimmer is getting.

This little thing is 100% crucial for initial setup and fine tuning.

ALL vertex skimmers come with them. If yours didn't, contact them.

You may also need to run a little carbon to get something out if your water. Otherwise it just needs to be broken in. Leave the cups drain open and just let it flow for awhile

I've been running carbon and no other changes to the tank have been made. Tank is almost 3 years old. I'm planning on letting it drain for now, just curious why it seemed to be so bad. I do have the valve, but I have not installed it yet. Since my main reason for getting the skimmer was to help solve low PH (I have an airline run outside), I didn't want to restrict the fresh air flow if possible.

If you watch Melevs review of it, it seems to be in a similar water depth without the air valve installed and he doesn't have any micro bubbles below the first bubble plate. As you can see, mine is flooded with them. Is this still all part of just breaking in?

 

[Rakie]

Mine took breaking in to work as well, it took weeks. One thing vertex stuff is notorious for is taking a very long time to break in. I'm talking weeks. Note the S in weeks. Multiple weeks are necessary for it to break in. Sometimes nearly a month.

And if you ever clean it too well, it will take 3-4 weeks to break in again.

 

[Rakie]

If there's no notable improvement within a week or so let me know via PM or tag me in this thread again.

I will also say putting in socks give sme very unpredictable skimming. It may be from the tiniest amount of residual soap scum in the washing machine, or possibly traces of bleach.. I couldn't say. But what I CAN say is if I put in a fresh sock my skimmer does not like it for days. Bubbles will either collapse or it'll overflow, or both.

So if you are using socks, especially ones which you've washed before, you may consider taking them out for awhile. I personally use socks for about 4-5 days a month max.