Overflowing

Avatar image
Apr 01, 2014
wrote
Changed 20 gal of water and now my new NWB 150 skimmer overflowed the skimate back into the tanks sump and will not stop overflowing. Doing another water change but I can only make 10 gals of R/O a day . Any ideas?
Reply
13 Answers
Avatar image
Apr 01, 2014
Carlos agent wrote
Are you adding any type of water conditioner to the new water?

How deep are you running the skimmer? How many inches from the bottom of the skimmer to the water surface line outside the skimmer? Does the water level around the skimmer fluctuate when you do a water change or evaporation?
Avatar image
Apr 01, 2014
wrote
Tank was running for 2 years with a small Aqua C remora skimmer. Skimmer in 9.5" of water depth and ran well for 2 weeks. It's new.
Only done 1 water change but the skimmer is located in the first compartment of my sump and the water levels fluctuate in my last (pump) chamber. The skimate got kicked back into the system so I know that will cause weird reactions.
No conditioner added to the water, I have a R o filter that drains into a 20 gal bucket for water changes, salinity was spot on and trace elements added to new water as I always do ?
Avatar image
Apr 01, 2014
Carlos agent wrote
Does your skimmer look like this model?

http://www.coralvue.com/classic-150-int-protein-skimmer-66

If so, you are running it too deep. It should be running in 6-8" of water. That is the main reason why you are overflowing. You will need to raise the skimmer so that it is sitting in only 6-8 inches of water. I would recommend closer to 6.
Avatar image
Apr 01, 2014
wrote
Yes, That is the skimmer.
I will raise it, however it did run fine for 2 weeks ? At 6 " depth and currently no different.
Avatar image
Apr 01, 2014
Carlos agent wrote
It is a new skimmer so it is going though the breakin period in which it will act a little erratic. Sometimes it will work and sometimes it will not produce any foam. During this time, it is best to leave the skimmer alone and let it do it's thing. When you start tweaking skimmers during breakin period, you may end up overflowing.
Avatar image
Apr 01, 2014
wrote
Ok, so right now I have the gate shut off as much as it will go and the drain plug on the collection cup off. It is overflowing and I am just letting it run to acclimate itself correct ?
Avatar image
Apr 01, 2014
Carlos agent wrote
Open the gate valve (so there is no output restriction) and then see if the skimmer overflows. If it does not, then you can close the gate valve a quarter of a turn and wait a few hours and see. Be patient and do wait a few hours. Things happen very slow and you could easily turn too much and it will overflow again. Do that until the skimmer starts overflowing. When it does, then turn back a little bit until you find a sweet spot. This process might take a few days. Just make sure you do thing slowly and allow for things to settle and take effect.
Avatar image
Apr 01, 2014
wrote
Everything in saltwater that is good happens slowly, unfortunately crashes happen fast. When I open the gate the overflow seems like a Tsunami.
Avatar image
Apr 01, 2014
wrote
Apologies the gate is open and has been.
Avatar image
Apr 01, 2014
Carlos agent wrote
Open means to turn the gate valve to the left. To open means to let more water out of the skimmer so the water level inside the skimmer goes down.
Avatar image
Apr 01, 2014
wrote
Correct gate is turned to the left. As of yet water level is overflowing still. I will let you know if this changes. Thanks CT
Avatar image
Apr 01, 2014
Carlos agent wrote
If water is still overflowing then there is something in the water making this skimmer overflow.

You could attach the drain hose to the collection cup drain tube and then attach a bag of carbon to the other end of the drain house and place it back on the sump. This way the overflow water goes back into the sump but running though carbon before making it to the sump. This will help remove whatever is in the water that is making the skimmer over bubble. You may have to run this for a couple of days until the skimmer stops overflowing and the water is cleared.
Avatar image
Apr 01, 2014
wrote
Like I said the whole skimmer cup went into the water. I will do as you suggest with the carbon bag.