problem with instant ocean HELP!

[Miamiangler]

My tanks all run on NSW . I was going to slowly add IO salt water to replace the NSW during water changes . I was going to start with 5gal /week . I got a new brute container and mixed up some water and let it mix for 2 days . I did my water change and my skimmer went nuts !!! it was foaming like crazy !wound up replacing almost 10 gals nsw so the foaming would stop . A few day later I tried with a 1 gal water change of IO and the skimmer did the same . Has anyone ever had this problem ??

 

[Lukeb321]

turn the skimmer off when doing the changes.
Let it sit for a few hours and then turn back on.

 

[rovster]

Did you use the same equipment (hoses pumps etc) that you normally use for your water change?

Did you use the same container to mix the water you normally use?

 

[Miamiangler]

it`s all new

 

[rovster]

Probably not the salt. Likely something on there caused this.

 

[Miamiangler]

I washed the container , the pump is a jebao pump I Used in that tank and a new 5/16 10ft hose that I use on all the tanks . I only can add 1cup of IO at a time and wont make the skimmer go nuts . more then that it starts foaming

 

[rovster]

What did you wash the container with?

 

[Miamiangler]

I just used water from a hose .did it twice Also did not take the first container at Home Depot It was the fourth one in the stak. Never trust the one on top

 

[knukles55]

Whenever I do a water change with instant ocean or any salt at that matter my skimmer always acts up. It doesn't over skim in my case though the bubbles just won't rise for a couple hours.

 

[Miamiangler]

O.K. I used a different container and mixed a gallon of IO . I used it in the tank and skimmer is not doing the overflow thing . It`s probably the new Brute container that`s the problem . What`s the best way to clean the container so I can use it to mix IO salt water.

 

[rovster]

I use some vinegar or dilute muriatic acid. Scrub the walls with a brush (same one I use to clean my skimmer) then a final rinse with RO. Come to think of it, sometimes my skimmer goes a little nuts after a water change, I always assumed it was my socks (I usually put a fresh one on at that time). Either way, shutting it off for an hour or 2 shouldn't be an issue. Sometimes the slightest thing can cause the skimmer to go nutz!

 

[Miamiangler]

O.K , That`s my thinking now that it is the container . I just rinsed it with water thinking that was enough . looks like I wasted a box of IO . a good scrubbing is needed

 

[AquamanE]

i use some vinegar or dilute muriatic acid. Scrub the walls with a brush (same one i use to clean my skimmer) then a final rinse with ro. Come to think of it, sometimes my skimmer goes a little nuts after a water change, i always assumed it was my socks (i usually put a fresh one on at that time). Either way, shutting it off for an hour or 2 shouldn't be an issue. Sometimes the slightest thing can cause the skimmer to go nutz!

1+

 

[Miamiangler]

Looks like my skimmer only likes NSW. I cleaned everything and had skimmer off for hours . As soon as I put skimmer on the water starts pouring into the container .

 

[billsreef]

Why were you trying to change to IO? Hard to beat the real thing.

 

[Miamiangler]

Just getting tired of collecting it every week