Problems with BH-100

Mar 19, 2014

Andrew Bower wrote

I have had the BH-100 for almost a year now. It ran flawlessly for the longest time.... Until about 3 weeks ago... I was laying in bed and I could hear water running so I got up to investigate, only to find the worse possible situation. My skimmer was overflowing from the return chamber all over the stand and carpet. I immediately unplugged it and cleaned up the mess. I left it unplugged overnight and cleaning it in the morning. Later that day I put it back in the tank and it ran just fine.... Until yesterday. Once again I heard water and immediately ran to the tank only to find the same damn thing.... Can someone please tell me why this is happening, what I can do to fix it, and how to prevent it from happening again???

17 Answers

Mar 19, 2014

Jeremy Rykiel agent wrote

Please inspect the venturi for salt creep buildup and the impeller to insure nothing is stuck in the impeller and all sponges are free of debris. Did you use any frag putty, dechlorinator, stress coat, red slime remover or any type of medication or additive to the aquarium?

Mar 19, 2014

Andrew Bower wrote

The only thing that I used recently was some marine conditioner the last time that I did a water change. I just cleaned the entire skimmer top to bottom and the water level on the return side seems about an inch higher than it should be...

Mar 20, 2014

Jeremy Rykiel agent wrote

The conditioner is like adding dish soap to your aquarium water and like dish soap, when you agitate or add air it will foam over. I suggest using RO water and never use conditioner with an aquarium using a protein skimmer. If you have to use a water conditioner a product called Prime has the least amount of impact on the skimmer. To remove the conditioner you will need to do several water changes with RO water/salt mix and place a good amount of fresh activated charcoal to your aquarium either through a canister filter or reactor.

Mar 30, 2014

Danielle Zufelt wrote

I am having the exact same problem and I haven't added any supplements or conditioners to the tank. I have no salt creep in the air line. I'm taking it all apart today (the return box has overflowed three times now over the last 2 weeks). This can't keep happening, I can't leave it on at night or when I leave the house anymore because I don't have any warning when it's going to start to overflow. This seems to happen to several people, there must be some common issue. I just need to know how to fix it, asap.
Thank you for any help.

Mar 31, 2014

Jeremy Rykiel agent wrote

The skimmer should not overflow as long as the collection cup is not covering the overflow hole which is there to release pressure. Overflows can only happen when it is covered or if something in the water which is out of the control of any skimmer.

Mar 31, 2014

Andrew Bower wrote

I feel the same way... My tank isn't getting skimmed nearly as much as it should be because I am afraid of another overflow. I can ensure you that the overflow hole was NEVER covered because I marked the collection cup and set it to the same level everytime.

Mar 31, 2014

Danielle Zufelt wrote

I think I've resolved my issue- it was the sponge in the bottom of the return chamber. It had gotten clogged and more water was coming in than going out. I removed the whole sponge. I was told there might be an increase in micro bubbles going back into the tank, but there hasn't been. The water level is much more consistent now. Try removing the sponge, see if it helps.

Mar 31, 2014

Jeremy Rykiel agent wrote

Yes that sponge is not needed now that there are sponges on the output which IMO are much easier to get to and clean.

Jul 18, 2016

darryl hey wrote

the instructions say to cover the return whole
so which is it cover the hole with cup or not?

Jul 19, 2016

Jeremy Rykiel agent wrote

Not entirely sure what you are referring to. The only thing you need to do is hold the airline closed momentarily to initially prime the skimmer.

Jul 19, 2016

darryl hey wrote

On the hob classic 100 on start up and break in periods ,the whole in the reactor chamber should it be covered up by the collection cup or leave the whole uncovered

Jul 19, 2016

Jeremy Rykiel agent wrote

The collection cup should be placed on the skimmer. Just set it as high as it can sit till the skimmer breaks in.

Jul 19, 2016

darryl hey wrote

So don't cover up the return hole and keep the collection cup above the hole until it breaks in
So all the bubbles poor out the hole into the return section
Having instructions for this included would just be free kin wonderfull

Jul 19, 2016

Jeremy Rykiel agent wrote

There will be bubbles that exit the hole during break in period. Do not cover it with the collection cup. Here is a video on the 1000 and 2000 which are similar but unlike your skimmer the skimmer pump is located outside the aquarium. But setup is very similar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoOlriA2Zec

Jul 20, 2016

darryl hey wrote

Will one ever cover the hole after it breaks in
Now the bubbles are bellow the hole and the cup bottom is just above the hole with 1/2" between

Jul 20, 2016

Jeremy Rykiel agent wrote

The cup should never cover the hole which is intended to help prevent the skimmer from overflowing if something gets caught in the impeller or something changes the surface tension of the water.

Jul 27, 2016

darryl hey wrote

ok so i removed the sponges from out put in tank, placed the smaller one of the 3 in the output chamber covering THE HOLE so skim bubbles don't come out and everything is working great now.
i do not have micro bubbles in my display and have good skimate.