Jun 22, 2014
Tom
wrote
I can't believe I'm asking this but I've never had a skimmer go crazy like this one has. Makes a huge amount of bubbles and they are small and look great however it's overflowing the up within seconds of being plugged in. The bubble lvl raises and doesn't stop even with the valve all the way open or closed. I've checked for blockage and everything else and I keep coming up empty. So do these just have a break in period. The only thing that I've done to this tank is add a small amount of live sand and added the water clarifier that comes with it, but that was a week before I turned on the skimmer. I also recently added some dr.tims starter bacteria. Again 4 days ago. This skimmer is brand new with all dryrock and fresh water. I just recently added two fish so I'm kinda lost as to whats causing the bubbles to go up like they are and just overflow the cup in just a few minutes. Please help I know these skimmers are the best but I'm not sure what my problem is. It's a sro3000 internal. Thanks.
Reply
6 Answers
Jun 23, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
How deep are you running the skimmer (please provide actual measurement from the bottom of the skimmer to the water surface line)?
How big is the tank?
How old is the tank?
How big is the tank?
How old is the tank?
Jun 23, 2014
Tom
wrote
93cube 50 gallon long sump. Tanks a week old in about 7and half inches of water. Ive tried adjusting water depth and no success. Theres only 2 fish in there for now. All ive added was water clarifier and a bacteria starter. Ive had plenty of skimmers just not this one so wondering what the problem is. Thanks
Jun 23, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
There are several issues here.
- First, bacterial startups and water clarifiers will cause a skimmer to overflow. They have the same effect as adding soap to the water.
- Second, the skimmer is running too deep. The skimmer should be running in 6"-6.5" of water, no more.
- Third (and most importantly), the skimmer is way too big for your system. This skimmer is rated for 300 gallons and you are running it on a 92 gal tank. Once the chemicals that make the skimmer overflow are removed, the skimmer will not be able to collect anything. The skimmer body is too big for the amount of organics your tank can produce, even if the tank is heavily stocked. I would recommend going with a smaller skimmer.
- First, bacterial startups and water clarifiers will cause a skimmer to overflow. They have the same effect as adding soap to the water.
- Second, the skimmer is running too deep. The skimmer should be running in 6"-6.5" of water, no more.
- Third (and most importantly), the skimmer is way too big for your system. This skimmer is rated for 300 gallons and you are running it on a 92 gal tank. Once the chemicals that make the skimmer overflow are removed, the skimmer will not be able to collect anything. The skimmer body is too big for the amount of organics your tank can produce, even if the tank is heavily stocked. I would recommend going with a smaller skimmer.
Jun 23, 2014
Tom
wrote
So the additives are the culprit. This is actually the first tank then I'm adding my upstairs tank to this system so total water volume will be about 240 gallons. From what I read about this skimmer it's 300 gallons on light load and 200 gallons on heavy load. I have about 12 fish in that tank and planning on about 12 in the other so I'm sure I will have enough bio load. I have to transfer things from one tank to another though so for now it's just set up this way. I appreciate the help. After the tank gets a little more established I will throw some carbon in there to clean out the additives and get it ready for skimming.
Jun 23, 2014
Carlos
agent
wrote
You do not count the sump when choosing a skimmer. Of your system, only the volume of the actual tank is where the organics are produced.
Jul 16, 2014
System
wrote
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