Sep 30, 2014
Matt
wrote
I've had my skimmer set up for many weeks now...at least four. I've only unplugged it for a couple short periods. Real brief.
It has always ran wet...very wet. I figured it was because I had it too deep in the sump, so I rebuilt my stand and now it sits just under 5" deep. Yes, the gate is wide open and the water flows out unobstructed.
Over 24hrs later and it is still running wet filling up the reservoir ....a bit slower though.
Tank is just cycling.
Is this operating properly? Is it ever going to get to the point where I adjust the gate down and control the foam?
Thank you.
It has always ran wet...very wet. I figured it was because I had it too deep in the sump, so I rebuilt my stand and now it sits just under 5" deep. Yes, the gate is wide open and the water flows out unobstructed.
Over 24hrs later and it is still running wet filling up the reservoir ....a bit slower though.
Tank is just cycling.
Is this operating properly? Is it ever going to get to the point where I adjust the gate down and control the foam?
Thank you.
Reply
9 Answers
Oct 01, 2014
Jeremy Rykiel
agent
wrote
There are several common reasons a protein skimmer will overflow here is a link that covers the most common occurrences. From the sound of it your skimmer is reacting to something in the water itself. Using fresh activated carbon will help remove the reagent that is causing the skimmer to overreact. The lowest water level I would suggest running your skimmer in 5.5in.
http://www.coralvue.com/support/935227-Skimmer-overflowing
http://www.coralvue.com/support/935227-Skimmer-overflowing
Oct 01, 2014
Matt
wrote
When you say water level... Do you mean "in the skimmer" or "outside" the skimmer.
What constitutes the water level inside... Measured from where to where?
I had the skimmer sitting in deeper water and it wasn't running right.
I'll Check out the link.
What constitutes the water level inside... Measured from where to where?
I had the skimmer sitting in deeper water and it wasn't running right.
I'll Check out the link.
Oct 02, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
That would be the water level outside the skimmer. The water level measurement from the bottom of the skimmer base to the water surface line outside the skimmer.
Here is another small article on how to dial in your skimmer so that you have the correct water level inside the skimmer...
http://www.coralvue.com/support/317511-How-do-you-dial-in-a-protein-skimmer
Here is another small article on how to dial in your skimmer so that you have the correct water level inside the skimmer...
http://www.coralvue.com/support/317511-How-do-you-dial-in-a-protein-skimmer
Oct 06, 2014
Matt
wrote
Oh gosh. I don't understand why it was running so wet and never going down when I had it lower....water just below the return. Dang
Oct 25, 2014
Matt
wrote
I've had my skimmer in 6.5 in of water now for over a week and now the bubbles are crazy. I have the gate wide open and the bubbles just keep overflowing. I have noticed that it will drop down for a few hours before bed but in the morning it is back up to overflowing. Can an inch of water make a big difference? I just can't seem to get it under control no matter what I do.
Oct 27, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
Your skimmer is running too high. You need to open up the gave valve and allow the water and the air a little more mixing space so that you can collect a drier foam. Right now, you are forcing the skimmer to collect and therefore, it will give you a more wet foam.
Skimmers do not collect 24/7. They only collect when there is something to collect. If you force the skimmer to collect 24/7 you will end up with a lot of wet foam and clear skimmate.
Skimmers do not collect 24/7. They only collect when there is something to collect. If you force the skimmer to collect 24/7 you will end up with a lot of wet foam and clear skimmate.
Oct 27, 2014
Matthew Filippi
wrote
Carlos.
My gate is wide open. I'm not forcing it to skim.
Over the weekend I decided to drop the sump level in that chamber by an inch and finally the bubble level has dropped to where I now can have some control and perhaps close the gate if needed. Right now I'm waiting 24hrs to see if it goes up on its own.
I'm just shocked that the outside level of the water has that much effect on it. I've lowered it I've raised it I've lowered it back down again. Are they really that sensitive to the level of water they are sitting in? If so perhaps there should be lines on the outside of the skimmer to indicate min and max water level outside the skimmer it should be sitting in.
My gate is wide open. I'm not forcing it to skim.
Over the weekend I decided to drop the sump level in that chamber by an inch and finally the bubble level has dropped to where I now can have some control and perhaps close the gate if needed. Right now I'm waiting 24hrs to see if it goes up on its own.
I'm just shocked that the outside level of the water has that much effect on it. I've lowered it I've raised it I've lowered it back down again. Are they really that sensitive to the level of water they are sitting in? If so perhaps there should be lines on the outside of the skimmer to indicate min and max water level outside the skimmer it should be sitting in.
Oct 27, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
Yes, the level of water outside the skimmer does have a lot to do with the skimmer's performance. The inside level will never be higher lower than the outside water level so if there is not enough depth, there won't be enough water for the pump to run. In terms of water line, we have done that before and we decided to remove them as people were getting too confused by it. As you know, every system is differently so the line does not work for every system. Most systems require you to play around with the skimmer until you find the optimal spot for the skimmer in your system. If you were to move your skimmer to a second tank that is completely separate from your first system, you would not be able to run the skimmer in the same position and running as you did on the first system. You would have to tune the skimmer to that particular system and it may require you different water depth and different gate valve position.
Please be sure that you run fresh activated carbon on the system. Carbon should only be ran for 2 weeks max or it will begin to release whatever it has previously absorbed. In the case of carbon, old carbon is worse than no carbon at all.
Please be sure that you run fresh activated carbon on the system. Carbon should only be ran for 2 weeks max or it will begin to release whatever it has previously absorbed. In the case of carbon, old carbon is worse than no carbon at all.