Foam overflow with NW-150

Apr 05, 2014

Kim wrote

I have a 110 gallon reef aquarium w/ sump. The Skimmer ran fine for about 2 weeks in about 8' of water then it started to overflow with foam. I have read what you suggested from a previous post. I have opened the valve all the way to the left , That does not stop it. I have raised it to about 6" of water, That has not stopped it. I have conected a tube to the drain on the cup to run back thru my filter bag w/charcol. Guess what I still have foam poring out the top of the skimmer.... Help please.
Kim

7 Answers

Apr 06, 2014

Carlos agent wrote

Have you added anything to the tank? Bacteria startup, algaecide, water conditioner for water changes? Sounds like the water tension has changed and it is making the skimmer overflow. Skimmers do not overflow unless there is a change in the water. The pump's water flow does not fluctuate so if the water chemistry is allowing for a greater mix of water and air due to additives or increased organics, the skimmer will overflow.

Let me know,

Apr 06, 2014

Kim wrote

We used marine pH buffer and stress coat bit it was overflowing before we added the stress coat and buffer .

Apr 06, 2014

Carlos agent wrote

Stress coat additives will definitely make the skimmer overflow. Taking into consideration that the skimmer is new and still breaking in, it probably exacerbated the issue. Please open up the output valve and run activated carbon on the system give it a day or so. It will stop overflowing.

Apr 07, 2014

Kim wrote

I have activated carbon in my sump filter bag Do I need another one ? The skimmer was overflowing before I added the stress coat. Is there anything else that could cause it ? Also the tube I connected to the drain valve was restricting flow out . I turned off the skimmer. Will the overflowing my tank ?

Apr 07, 2014

Kim wrote

Will the overflowing hurt my tank

Apr 07, 2014

Carlos agent wrote

No, the overflow will not hurt your tank. What you can do is attach a bag of activated carbon to the end of the drain hose and then put that back into your sump. This way, the overflow is going back into the sump but passing through carbon first. This will ensure that whatever is in the water that is making the skimmer overflow gets removed by the carbon.

Here is a good read on how to tune a skimmer as well...

http://www.coralvue.com/support/317511-How-do-you-dial-in-a-protein-skimmer

Jul 16, 2014

System wrote

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