New Protein Skimmer Overflowing

[FLYING BONES]

Hey reefers,
I have a new Eshopps S-120 skimmer that always overflows. The instructions say it needs 72 hours to break in, it's had that. It's within the recommended depth 8"-10".

By lowering the depth, it will overflow slower, but there is no stopping it.

Any ideas or should I take it back?

 

[mushumatt]

Did you adjust the water output? The gray tube running parallel to the riser tube. Turn that to adjust the water level.

 

[nuxx]

Toss the skimmer in a container with a good amount of vinegar in it.

Run it at full blast for 2 days and it'll be broken in.

Just did that with a Reef Octopus Regal 300SSS. Made skim the next day in the tank

 

[FLYING BONES]

Did you adjust the water output? The gray tube running parallel to the riser tube. Turn that to adjust the water level.

Yes, I played with it for hours including adjusting the height of the water.

Toss the skimmer in a container with a good amount of vinegar in it.

Run it at full blast for 2 days and it'll be broken in.

Just did that with a Reef Octopus Regal 300SSS. Made skim the next day in the tank

OK, they manual said 72 hrs break in, I'm at about 140 hrs.

I appreciate the tip on break-in. I'll call the manufacturer and see if they're OK to the that before I go ruining my warranty.

What part is "breaking-in" during this process?

 

[nuxx]

Mainly removing any oils, residues, etc... from manufacturing.

 

[FLYING BONES]

Mainly removing any oils, residues, etc... from manufacturing.

Makes sense, so the oils are causing excess bubbles?

 

[slief]

Makes sense, so the oils are causing excess bubbles?

Could be but I doubt it. The vinegar bath is always a good idea on new skimmers but I suspect you past the point of that making a difference in your case. I'd suggest raising the skimmer or lowering the sump level to the 8" mark and see what that does. Also as mentioned, open the valve all the way if there is one for setting the water level. That water depth range is for a wide range of variables. Things like salinity, fish load etc have an impact on what the ideal depth is. As such, I'd raise it to the minimum and see where that gets you. Depending on the results, you may need an even lower sump depth.

If you have used any epoxy, red slime remover or other chemicals in your tank, that could be the cause of your overflowing skimmer. If that's the case, I'd get a drain tube on the collection cup and allow the skimmer to overflow into a 5 gallon bucket. Replace the skimmate with new salt water. Once the epoxy or what ever is in the water that's causing the overflow is exported via the skimmer, the skimmer will settle down.

 

[FLYING BONES]

Could be but I doubt it. The vinegar bath is always a good idea on new skimmers but I suspect you past the point of that making a difference in your case. I'd suggest raising the skimmer or lowering the sump level to the 8" mark and see what that does. Also as mentioned, open the valve all the way if there is one for setting the water level. That water depth range is for a wide range of variables. Things like salinity, fish load etc have an impact on what the ideal depth is. As such, I'd raise it to the minimum and see where that gets you. Depending on the results, you may need an even lower sump depth.

If you have used any epoxy, red slime remover or other chemicals in your tank, that could be the cause of your overflowing skimmer. If that's the case, I'd get a drain tube on the collection cup and allow the skimmer to overflow into a 5 gallon bucket. Replace the skimmate with new salt water. Once the epoxy or what ever is in the water that's causing the overflow is exported via the skimmer, the skimmer will settle down.

OK...it's overflowing to the point I could not leave it for any extended period of time with a 5 gal bucket overflow...but... Maybe I'll do my water change with the excrement produced by the skimmer.

 

[owen386]

I would just let it keep flowing back into the sump. Until it starts actually skimming

 

[slief]

I would just let it keep flowing back into the sump. Until it starts actually skimming

If it's something in the water that's causing the overflowing condition, that will do nothing but prolong the overflowing. Having the skimmer overflow into a bucket by way of the collection cup drain will serve as a wet skim water change will will export anything that is causing the overflowing. It could be chemicals in the water from the skimmer manufacturing, bacterial bloom etc. It could also be as simple as the sump level being too high for the skimmer which would be my first guess.

 

[FLYING BONES]

If it's something in the water that's causing the overflowing condition, that will do nothing but prolong the overflowing. Having the skimmer overflow into a bucket by way of the collection cup drain will serve as a wet skim water change will will export anything that is causing the overflowing. It could be chemicals in the water from the skimmer manufacturing, bacterial bloom etc. It could also be as simple as the sump level being too high for the skimmer which would be my first guess.

I totally agree with your premise of skimming a water change. Makes sense to me and easy to accomplish.

I have adjusted the skimmer at 1/2" increments all the way to where it would almost be out of the water and the problem persists, so its got to be the chemicals from the putty.

Thanks

 

[mushumatt]

I have a eshopps PSk-100 I've found the water adjustment tube is very very sensitive. I basically tap it to get wet or dry skimmate. I hope you can fix your skimmer.

 

[FLYING BONES]

Update: I've emptied quite a few full skimmer cups. The rate of overflow is decreasing. Although its decreasing, the rate of overflow is also erratic. Last night I had it adjusted about 1" from the top. I woke up to a half full cup and the skimmer about 4" from the top. I'm going to keep emptying cups and see if it becomes less erratic.