May 09, 2018
C. Johnson
wrote
I have a new Essence s-130 that is overflowing like CRAZY. When I plug it in, the collection cup fills within 30 seconds with white foam and just continuously overflows. I have it sitting on a stand in a constant water depth of 8in in the sump. I am just setting up my system and added rock and live sand and RO/DI water 2 days ago. I just added salt (Red Sea Coral Pro) a day ago. I haven't added anything else but the biomagnet clarifier that came with the Aragalive sand. I have adjusted the valve to 16 (fully open) and it still overflows. I am aware that new skimmers can overflow, but this seems excessive. It looks like someone shook up a beer and poured it into a glass from 4ft above! The refugium section of my sump after the skimmer literally has about a 5 in foam head on it.
Reply
9 Answers
May 09, 2018
Carlos
agent
wrote
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.
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.
May 09, 2018
C. Johnson
wrote
Yeah, I read the sticky post other places. This is like a shaken soda the way it overflows. It's a new tank so I don't think there are any chemicals in the water. I haven't added the bacterial starter yet. I did use a little epoxy to keep the rocks together though. This isn't a slight overflow though it is like a violent chemical reaction. When I take the skimmer out and put in a bucket of tap water, the foam doesn't even reach the bottom of the collection cup
May 09, 2018
Carlos
agent
wrote
The epoxy is causing the issue. You will need to do water changes and run carbon until the skimmer goes back to normal.
May 09, 2018
C. Johnson
wrote
"Back to normal"? It's never been normal :( So I just wasted 60lbs of salt?? Man, I didn't know the epoxy would be such an issue. Should I do a 100% change since there's no livestock right now? Just the Aragalive sand
May 09, 2018
Carlos
agent
wrote
The epoxy is leaching to the water and causing the issue. When you use coral epoxy, it does the same thing. Search online if you do not believe me and you will see that epoxy causes skimmers to go crazy.
May 09, 2018
C. Johnson
wrote
Oh no, I believe you. I was just saying I wasn't aware it would be like this. I've read some posts where people seem to have no problem with putty, and some "overflow"....but this thing looks like a volcano is erupting! I guess with it being brand new salt, sand, rock maybe all the putty didn't cure completely? Like I said when I put the skimmer in tap water, I get no foam, just bubbles not even up to the neck, so I guess it's pretty clear there's nothing wrong with the actual skimmer. I have a MarineLand internal filter I can fill with carbon. Should I let the skimmer just overflow back into the sump for 24hrs or just go ahead and do a water change with RODI? I've only run the skimmer for about an hour total or so but if it's the epoxy putty, seems like I'd do best to just go ahead and get as much out as quick as possible. I can direct the overflow to a bucket, but I think that will outpace how fast I can make RODI. Would letting the epoxy cure longer help? I used epoxy on only about the top half of the rock work. If I drain half of it, let it sit a week, would this help or am I just prolonging it? My RODI unit is a level below the tank, so water changes aren't exacty easy
May 09, 2018
Carlos
agent
wrote
At first I would turn off the skimmer. No need to keep it on if all it is doing is overflowing and putting the stuff back into the tank. Once it overflows but not as much, then you can start to actually pull the skimmate off your system as that is the chemical that the skimmer is trying to pull out. Then you can use a combination of water changes, carbon and the skimmer itself to rid itself of the chemical in the water.
May 09, 2018
C. Johnson
wrote
OK thanks Carlos. I shut it off already because I didn't want to leave the bubbling monster on when I was at work. I was worried the foam head in the fuge would bubble over the entire sump! I think I'll run some carbon and do a small water change (10% or so). I don't have any stored RODI, so water changes will be slooooow (or very small) I have a 75gal DT and a 29gal sump, about 90 gal total system water. I'll turn it back on in a day or so and see what's going on. I guess I should have waited a few days to make sure the epoxy had fully cured before I filled it. Ya live and learn...
Jun 04, 2018
James Fox
wrote
C. Johnson - wondering if this ever resolved? I have the same issue, just set up a new tank and the protein skimmer on the lowest setting is just exploding over the top. Only thing added was carbsea araganite and instant ocean sea salt?