Water Change Broke My Skimmer!

[ibob991]

Hello,
So during black friday I purchased a Reef Octopus Essence 130 for my reefer 350 and the skimmer once broken in was performing great. On monday, I did a 20% water change on the system and now my skimmer is constantly overflowing. I gave it a few days to settle before I posted but I seriously have no idea what the issue is here. I currently have the skimmer hooked up to a avast marine superlocker to try and wetskim whatever is casuing this out of the system but who knows if that's even the problem. Any insight would be much appreciated !

 

[saintsreturn]

Did you turn it off when you did the water change? Is there something blocking airflow in the air line? The one I had only had issues on initial break in and then when i either didnt turn it off for the water change or when i knocked the airline off and it wasnt pulling air. Is there any chance you hit the flow adjustment on it while working in there? My gut is telling me it needs dialed back in on the adjustment, but unfortunately i am not there to know.

 

[Octane13]

Check the venturi where the hose comes in (edit: where the hose meets the plastic). My bubble magus did the same thing after a water change and there was a hard "calcium" type buildup. Cleared with a small screw driver and has worked flawlessly since

 

[ibob991]

Did you turn it off when you did the water change? Is there something blocking airflow in the air line? The one I had only had issues on initial break in and then when i either didnt turn it off for the water change or when i knocked the airline off and it wasnt pulling air. Is there any chance you hit the flow adjustment on it while working in there? My gut is telling me it needs dialed back in on the adjustment, but unfortunately i am not there to know.

I will have to check the airline, and it was shut off during the change. flow adjustment is currently set at full closed (16 I believe) and still floods, as where it was skimming perfectly happy at 14 before the change.

Check the venturi where the hose comes in (edit: where the hose meets the plastic). My bubble magus did the same thing after a water change and there was a hard "calcium" type buildup. Cleared with a small screw driver and has worked flawlessly since

I am going to pull it apart tonight and check the airline and the pump itself to check the needle wheel.

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

Did the water level change after the water change? Sounds like it is sitting in too much water now...

 

[ibob991]

Did the water level change after the water change? Sounds like it is sitting in too much water now...

The way the sump is designed, I don't think this is possible as the ATO would keep the sump level.

 

[Ultra Aquatics]

The way the sump is designed, I don't think this is possible as the ATO would keep the sump level.

The ATO would prevent the water from going too low, not too high though.

I would try raising the skimmer up a few inches if possible.

 

[saintsreturn]

The ATO would prevent the water from going too low, not too high though.

I would try raising the skimmer up a few inches if possible.

@ibob991 I feel silly for not thinking of this. This is your most realistic cause. When you took out "5" gallons and added "5.5-6" it raised your water level in the skimmer section, causing the skimmer to freak out. This happens more common than just about anything else.

Good call out @James404

 

[ibob991]

The ATO would prevent the water from going too low, not too high though.

I would try raising the skimmer up a few inches if possible.

The skimmer is already on the 2 inch riser (sump is 9.5 inches deep), manual says 7-8 inches, its currently in 7.5 inches.

@ibob991 I feel silly for not thinking of this. This is your most realistic cause. When you took out "5" gallons and added "5.5-6" it raised your water level in the skimmer section, causing the skimmer to freak out. This happens more common than just about anything else.

Good call out @James404

Sorry, let me try to explain this better. The ato has been refilling the sump, therefore it has reset the level of the sump. The sump level in the skimmer section is impossible to be higher then max as it feeds directly into the bubble trap.

 

[Duffer]

sometimes water change and the chemistry will send the skimmer to overflow, adjustments may have to happen till it all settles down.

For your water change do you add chemicals to dechlorine the water or are you using RODI water ? the reason i ask is some dechlorine has ploymers that will send your skimmer crazy

 

[ibob991]

sometimes water change and the chemistry will send the skimmer to overflow, adjustments may have to happen till it all settles down.

For your water change do you add chemicals to dechlorine the water or are you using RODI water ? the reason i ask is some dechlorine has ploymers that will send your skimmer crazy

I use a 5 stage RODI, Fritz RPM salt mixes to my tanks param, so no added chemicals there.

 

[ibob991]

UPDATE: In a fit of rage, I poked the foam head on the skimmer with my finger and now its all back to normal? Adjustments on the flow control seem to work now.................. I have no words for this. Will update later tonight when I get home from work to see if it remains working.