Can you help (OVEReacting SKimmer) still on day 3

[Wally.B]

I've dealt with overreacting skimmers in all my 20 years in this hobby.
I simply waited overnight, and it would calm down.

ANY IDEA's what can be done to stop a never ending OVER frothing SKIMMER.

3 days ago, I did a 65 Gallon tank tear down, move, and rebuilt of same tank to prepare location for a new tank.

-> I emptied tank into two large Rubbermaid bin (BIN only used for tank purposes, and that I've used before, and properly rinsed this time)

-> I simply removed rocks, and frags on frag rack from tank.
-> Dipped rinsed each rocks in new made Salt Water

-> I knew move was coming so I delay a water change, and part of move is I did a 30% water change.

-> Setup same tank in same new location.

-> SUMP WAS NOT TOUCHED (it remained as is)

-> I hooked up new setup tank to same sump, but on other Side

-> I had no room or will to do frag rack again for 20 frags, so I epoxied them, onto ROCKs.

I used about two 1/2 large tubes of Epoxy, which I know can get skimmer going.
But it's been 3 days and skimmer is still over frothing. (EVEN AT LOWEST POSITION)

I added carbon to try and stop this (one baggie in overflow, in return section of sump, and one to catch/filter the skimmer froth) , I gave up remove two bags, since I don't want to strip the system too much.

Tank is 3 years old and stable.

These are all SPS frag, and are doing very well after transfer.


Any ideas what I could do? ( just wait longer?, but I'm worried I'm feeding fish, and no skimming)

 

[mcgyvr]

Just wait longer.. 3 days can easily not be enough after an epoxy introduction..
And your tank can survive just fine without a skimmer.. Its one of those "optional" piece of equipment. No tank needs a skimmer..

 

[reeftivo]

yeppers! lots of epoxy = lots of bubbles for a long time!

mcgyvr hit it on the head!

not worried about skimming, then unplug and let the carbon work.

want to get skimmer up and running as usual quicker, skim it out.

if you skim it out, keep some fresh mix ready with another empty bucket and unplug the ato.

let the skimmer cup fill with the clear water and keep emptying it until it settles down which will be much faster. When the skimmer settles down, replenish what was skimmed out and plug the ato back in.

 

[Wally.B]

yeppers! lots of epoxy = lots of bubbles for a long time!

mcgyvr hit it on the head!

not worried about skimming, then unplug and let the carbon work.

want to get skimmer up and running as usual quicker, skim it out.

if you skim it out, keep some fresh mix ready with another empty bucket and unplug the ato.

let the skimmer cup fill with the clear water and keep emptying it until it settles down which will be much faster. When the skimmer settles down, replenish what was skimmed out and plug the ato back in.

No way I could skim it out before up till today. It was gushing (at Skimmer's lowest possible level). I'd have to add 5 gallons of new mixed water every couple of hours, maybe sooner (hard to tell since it's froth).

But you guys are RIGHT, it's DAY 3.5 and starting to slow down. I figure by tomorrow it might be ok. We'll see.

I guess I used Epoxy before for 1-3 mounting. This was like 20+ all at once, so never done before.

Plus I added some rocks for the Future New Tank, and to stack them well, so used More Epoxy to Hold things together.

THere is no way I could get thing much vertical without, and away from sides without Epoxy.

Hey since OLD tank is extracted from Wall now, I have access to all 4 sides.
Took a video with my Scuba Cam. Video came out nice (BUT THE SOUNDS IN THE TANK are really something else)


★ YOU TUBE VIDEO LINK HERE ★
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-oql8-kczs&feature=youtu.be

 

[Cheapreef]

If you can raise the skimmer so it doesn't overflow you could inject a small amount of Prime directly into the intake. That would slim coat the skimmer in within a few hours, it should then skim normal.

 

[Wally.B]

If you can raise the skimmer so it doesn't overflow you could inject a small amount of Prime directly into the intake. That would slim coat the skimmer in within a few hours, it should then skim normal.

Hey, never thought of raising skimmer. It's already raised, but can raise more.
If it doesn't stop by tomorrow, I will.

What is PRIME?

 

[Wally.B]

Just checked again. Getting better each hour.

Pardon the mess, it's all a spaghetti mess since tank moved to other side.

If I plug the drain it still overflows. Takes longer, but maybe soon it will end.

 

[Cheapreef]

Hey, never thought of raising skimmer. It's already raised, but can raise more.
If it doesn't stop by tomorrow, I will.

What is PRIME?

Water conditioner

http://www.seachem.com/prime.php

 

[Wally.B]

AND I THINK I FOUND a reason for the Longer OverSkiming.

I was passing by Tank and noticed a Frag that Bleached because of the transfer.

I went to pull it out and the Putty was still SOFT.

I did so many, most of the Epoxy mounts are hard, but a few I guess I didn't mix the two parts well enough.

Maybe I should tap them all to see if any more EPOXY SOFTIES in there.
Or just leave things alone.
2 Bleached Frags isn't too bad with a complete tank transfer.

 

[Wally.B]

OVERSKIMMER / Over-Frothing Skimmer STOPPED (on DAY 4) All Due to Improper Epoxy Mixing

Sorry to bother everyone, I guess I learned something again, in this never ending hobby of New Knowledge.

Just a little patience (both on Mixing Putty, and just plain on waiting for things to calm down).

I bet it's more of the Proper Epoxy Putty Mixing since I've used larger quantity before for a Large LPS Stem Mount.

 

[Wally.B]

ONE LAST FOLLOW UP COMMENT

Maybe this means nothing.....

Only one Frag was bleaching bottom up (at this point). The one with the un-cured putty.

I trimmed off the good top, and remounted it on a new plug.

I nudged the other frags and they seem on cured putty, most if not all directly mounted on plugs.

Wonder if the un-cured putty was not only the cause of the skimmer no calming down more quickly, but also the cause of the RTN since the frag was directly pushed into the un-cured-putty.

Oh, well, mission accomplished. OLD Tank is moved out, and bigger project/challenges to face with the New Tank Install.

 

[Cheapreef]

ONE LAST FOLLOW UP COMMENT

Maybe this means nothing.....

Only one Frag was bleaching bottom up (at this point). The one with the un-cured putty.

I trimmed off the good top, and remounted it on a new plug.

I nudged the other frags and they seem on cured putty, most if not all directly mounted on plugs.

Wonder if the un-cured putty was not only the cause of the skimmer no calming down more quickly, but also the cause of the RTN since the frag was directly pushed into the un-cured-putty.

Oh, well, mission accomplished. OLD Tank is moved out, and bigger project/challenges to face with the New Tank Install.

I've seen some SPS sensitive to epoxy. I use the sandwich approach, Superglue gl-epoxy-superglue gel. This keeps the epoxy and the heat it generates from the frag. In your case maybe the unmixed part leached something onto it.

 

[wishntoboutside]

your tank looks like a fire hazard. I would seriously put in some time and clean those wires up. I have never seen anyone run an extension cord across their sump. especially with a skimmer acting up as water and salt can go everywhere.

 

[RobZilla04]

OVERSKIMMER / Over-Frothing Skimmer STOPPED (on DAY 4) All Due to Improper Epoxy Mixing

Sorry to bother everyone, I guess I learned something again, in this never ending hobby of New Knowledge.

Just a little patience (both on Mixing Putty, and just plain on waiting for things to calm down).

I bet it's more of the Proper Epoxy Putty Mixing since I've used larger quantity before for a Large LPS Stem Mount.

OCD nightmare! Not to mention the hazards already pointed out.

 

[Wally.B]

your tank looks like a fire hazard. I would seriously put in some time and clean those wires up. I have never seen anyone run an extension cord across their sump. especially with a skimmer acting up as water and salt can go everywhere.

The mess wasn't there few days ago. Just now. (temp)
I just moved the tank few days ago and setup Tank on other side of sump to keep tank going, and buys me time to work on the rest.

The cords and wires are there one/two more days since it's delicate work for all the automation.

This is the sump room before the move.

Sump room runs two tanks. One upstairs and "the tank you see in the room" is what I just moved.
It's not a easy job with two sumps, two systems, and a ton wires with two Apex controllers, Dosers, etc
Things didn't reach right after the move so thus the extension cords for a few days.
(Nobody enter the room now except me, and I know exactly what is what).

No worries, the new redone Sump room with 110 Gal vs old 65 will be even better. (PERFECT)
I plan to redoing all the electrical into the drywall since I learned a lot what I don't like.

 

[RobZilla04]

I guess you didn't read the thread details.
I just moved the tank few days ago and setup Tank on other side of sump to keep tank going, and buys me time to work on the rest.

The cords and wires are there one/two more days since it's delicate work for all the automation.

This is the sump room before the move.

Sump room runs two tanks. One upstairs and "the tank you see in the room" is what I just moved.
It's not a easy job with two sumps, two systems, and a ton wires with two Apex controllers, Dosers, etc
Things didn't reach right after the move so thus the extension cords for a few days.

Sorry for skimming :lol2: the thread. Glad to head that wont be a permanent arrangement. :thumbsup:

 

[Wally.B]

Sorry for skimming :lol2: the thread. Glad to head that wont be a permanent arrangement. :thumbsup:

Actually I'm really glad you spoke up, since some people think/Make Judgement and say nothing.

I wouldn't want people thinking this current mess is my style of setup.
As a Electronic/Electrical Engineer, my standards are little higher. Much HIGHER!

I'll be starting a NEW TANK (replacement/Upsize) Build Thread shortly, and I promise the end result will be quite impressive.

 

[wishntoboutside]

Glad to hear you got it cleaned up some. You old fish room looked great. Look forward to seeing everything once it is all settled in. Glad to hear the skimmer is no longer a problem.

 

[Wally.B]

Glad to hear you got it cleaned up some. You old fish room looked great. Look forward to seeing everything once it is all settled in. Glad to hear the skimmer is no longer a problem.

I will certainly Post the BUILD Thread LINK here once I start the NEW TANK part.


HERE IS A SNEAK PEAK into the TANK Upgrade PLAN

The OLD Office Tank (LAST WEEK before the move OUT)

The mess on other size of sump room, IS this all started with a Ceiling Leak Flood. Pipe burst behind wall (Not aquarium pipe, house Copper Pipe)
Insurance will be fixing wall work, so why not do a better rebuild.

Measurements show what I'm planning for the WALL work in OFFICE.
BUT GALLON SIZE IS WRONG (since plan was same as now, 18" deep. FOLKS talked me into 24" Deep which will be totally different for me)

This is my DRAFT Plan

I'll be exposing the wall into the REC room for a (2 Sided Viewing of tank)

THIS IS AN OLD PHOTO of Framing WHEN I BUILT SUMP ROOM over a decade ago.

Will make the new SIDE Cut outs....
Kind of Like this (But I've decided not to go deep on the drywall. More Flush this time)

This was the TANK design Planner (FINAL Decision was 46x24x22, BEING BUILT NOW. Arrives in Early Feb,2018)

But Miracle Aquariums talked me into an EXTERNAL OVERFLOW.

Tank will roughly look like this.

BUT it will have Euro Trim Top (to Keep glass 1/2") , External Overflow, 1/2 Glass (StarPhire Front & Right side), Tempered Glass (Left side for External Overflow)

Yup, I'm excited. First new tank in 16 years.

 

[Wally.B]

I started my NEW TANK Prebuild Thread Here.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2662587

Not much new yet in thread, but I will be posting my thoughts for build.

Always welcome constructive advice/criticism.