Help! Skimmer problem

[vanbeezy]

So here's the situation:
Yesterday, I turned off the skimmer pump, cleaned out the collection cup (So Bay Skimmer), put it back on and then left the skimmer off for a few hrs (~3hrs). I had to do this bc my house had a pest control guy do some spot spraying. After the guy was done, I removed all of the tank coverings (put there so no pesticides got into the sump nor the tank), and turned on the skimmer pump.

Now the cup overflows instantly and the cup is filled w/ clearish water. I even dropped the outflow tube down to its minimum and it still overflows like crazy.

Am I missing something here? Im pretty sure no pesticides got into my water. is it bc I cleaned out the cup/neck and let it dry for a few hours? I dont get it...help please.

 

[phatphisher]

even though you took the proper precaution to cover up the tank, i'm gonna say that pesticide residue still got in your tank. the over skimming is normally caused by a chemcial reaction in your water.

couple of options: sit and watch your skimmer cup. empty it out every time it fills. this may take a while. second option is to do a water change. cup may still overflow after the after the water change but it'll stop quicker.

gluck

 

[beefjerkygood]

Agreed - do a water change. That pest control stuff is pretty toxic... i'd do a water change just to be sure so i could sleep at night.

 

[murphreef]

also agree some of the residue got into the tank .... no fault of urs but it happens

skimmers react like that like previously said when there is some wierd chemical in the tank.... mine always reacts like that when i use some of that 2 part epoxy to mmount my corals it starts to overreact and skim extra water into the collection cup

IMO do a water change and run crabon!

 

[laverda]

Sounds like someting is blocking your air intake.

 

[rscott76]

is it bubbling? i think if its filling instantly then its not bubbling right. sometimes i have to blow into my intake hose to get it started. if it is bubbling and its pulling out alot, then its doing its job correctly since it is supposed to pull out the DOCs and most pesticides can be classified as DOCs.

 

[Fmellish]

Mine overflows for about 20 minutes every time I change filter socks. The only thing I think it might be is the bleach from the new sock that I'm adding.

I switch out my socks every week, and wash the dirty one in bleach water. Even though I do an extra rinse-only cycle, the socks still smell like bleach when they are done.

When I put a newly bleached sock into my sump my skimmer goes nuts for about 20 minutes.

Anyone know of a less-bleachier way to clean socks?

And could this bleach residue harm my fish or corals?

Sorry for the thread hijack. It's kinda related.


Thanks
Josh

 

[rscott76]

if youve been doing what youre doing for a while without any ill results it might be that it gets diluted enough to not do anything bad. usually my policy is if it smells like bleach dont put it in but if youre having good results youre fine. sounds like your skimmer is taking care of it. what you could do is put the washed socks in the sun for a few hours. the sun helps evaporate off of the bleach.

 

[jefathome]

Carbon, Carbon, Carbon... and a water change ;o)

That, and raise your skimmer cup as far as possible.

 

[SBJim]

Regarding the filter sock, maybe try a power wash (hose with thumb at least), and then washing machine on its most aggressive setting with no bleach or detergent at all. It may not be white, but it will probably be clean.

 

[Orochimaru]

I got a southbay too and when I use epoxy, it goes nuts. Get a plastic or styrofoam drinking cup and cut out the bottom. Flip the cup upside down and slide it on the riser of the skimmer. This will make the foam from the skimmer goes a little higher so it won't be so wet. The taller the drinking cup, the better.

 

[Fmellish]

Thanks guys, and again, sorry for the Hijack.

Josh

 

[BONDQ]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7857151#post7857151 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fmellish
Mine overflows for about 20 minutes every time I change filter socks. The only thing I think it might be is the bleach from the new sock that I'm adding.

I switch out my socks every week, and wash the dirty one in bleach water. Even though I do an extra rinse-only cycle, the socks still smell like bleach when they are done.

When I put a newly bleached sock into my sump my skimmer goes nuts for about 20 minutes.

Anyone know of a less-bleachier way to clean socks?

And could this bleach residue harm my fish or corals?

Sorry for the thread hijack. It's kinda related.


Thanks
Josh

Josh,

If you have multiple socks, then leave the just washed socks out in the sun for about 3 hours.

Chlorine converts to Ozone gas when exposed to heat, sunlight and UV rays. This is one of the main reasons a stabilizer is needed for pools using chlorine as their primary component.

It may also be the reason your tank has been unaffected, since your lights are likely removing the traces of chlorine in the water.


...and Vanbeezy, sorry to hear about the pesticides, keep us posted on your results.

 

[Fmellish]

THanks Eric, that sounds like a great idea. On my next wash i'll put the socks out to dry in the sun instead of just back in my supply cabinet.

Thanks
Josh