Help! Our skimmer keeps over flowing?

Tina,

Thank you for posted the question in our community forum. What kind of skimmer do you have? Can you please be as specific as possible so we can better assist you?

BTW, this is a forum question. If you want to start a ticket (private) you need to hit the "Submit a Ticket" on the top right-hand column instead of "Ask a question".

Regards,

Carlos Chacon
CoralVue

Tina,

Is there anything that may be obstructing the skimmer's output? Have you tried removing the sponges from the skimmer's chamber as they may be dirty and could be blocking the water flow?

Are you introducing any time of additives to the tank such as stress coat, water conditioner?

Regards,

Carlos Chacon
CoralVue

The conditioner will make the skimmer go crazy. It has the same effects as adding soap to the water. Some conditioners even require you to turn of the skimmer for an extended period of time when using them. Please stop using the water conditioner and add some fresh carbon to the tank to remove the conditioner already in the water. Once that is removed, the skimmer will stop overflowing.

If the skimmer is filling up too fast, it means that there is something blocking the output. When the skimmer is running fine, there is no way for the skimmer to intake more water than it can output. If there is something small blocking any of the pipes (inside the pipe) or the output itself, then the skimmer will intake more water than it can output and it WILL overflow.

Have you taken the skimmer apart and cleaned each part? Just to be sure that all pipes are clear and there isn't a ball of algae or something blocking or restricting the output?

Tina,

Have you raised the collection cup? If you raise it, it will make the skimmate less watery and a little more concentrated.

Carlos Chacon
CoralVue

Well, the collection cup filling up quickly has to do with the water conditioner you are adding. It is causing the skimmer to create too much foam (wet usually) and it will overflow the collection cup. Once you remove the water conditioner from the water, it should calm down.

What is the model number and how deep of water is the skimmer (in inches please)?

How old is the skimmer? Did you prime it?

Turn off the skimmer, remove the air silencer and cap the air hose with your thumb. Turn on the skimmer and you will see the rush of water. Keep capping the air silencer for a minute or two until you see absolute no air bubbles entering the skimmer. It should be water only. At that point, you let go of the air hose and install the silencer again.

This gets rid of any air bubbles trapped in the plumbing that may be causing the skimmer to run higher and allow bubbles to escape back into the tank.

Regards,

Make sure that nothing is obstructing the outflow. The skimmer and the pump are matched correctly so that the pump can only push as much water as the skimmer can handle. Unless there is something blocking the outflow, the skimmer should not overflow when the pump is running at full blast with the venture capped.

Have you taken the skimmer apart to make sure that there isn't algae or a snail stuck on the outflow piping that may be partially obstructing it?

Try this: Remove both sponges from the skimmer and clean them up and then put them back. It may be that the two or one of the sponges might be clogged up to the point where it is obstructing the flow of the water.

Let me know,

Carlos
CoralVue

There are several common reasons a protein skimmer will overflow but the most common is a chemical within the water itself.

Chemical Reaction - Some chemicals react with the air that the skimmer produces and causes the skimmer to over produce foamate. Chemicals known to cause skimmers to overflow are, red slime remover, medications, reef/frag putties (epoxy Putty) frag glues, water conditioners, dechlorinators, stress coat, NEW filter socks, newly mixed salt, bacteria (seeding) additives as well as other dosing medias. In order to remove these chemicals from the water column we suggest that you do several 20% water changes over the period of a month and add a good amount of fresh activated carbon to the system and change out every week till the skimmer has returned to normal operation.

Water level in sump - It is important that you place your skimmer in the proper water level. It is also important that the output of the skimmer is not submerged under water unless it is properly vented.

Inner water level - If your inner water level is set too high the slightest change in your water chemistry can cause your skimmer to over flow. We suggest that your inner water level to be set at no higher than the collar where the cup meets the body.

Blockage - The air intake otherwise known as the venturi, is like small vacuum pulling air from the surrounding environment. Often collecting dust and debris from the air which can block the proper amount of air to enter the pump increasing the water being pulled by the pump. It is also common for saltcreap to build up in the venturi and will need to be removed manually by scraping it away or dissolving in a solution of vinegar and water. Make sure you inspect the air venture, silencer and air hose for any debris or salt creep deposits. Also be sure the air hose is not bent or too long preventing proper air flow into the pump.