Seriously po'd at my skimmer

[brettinteriors]

Really just venting here. I have a reef octopus nwb 200. It has randomly/mysteriously overflowed twice this week resulting in water on the floor and crap back into my system. I have never liked it. I am going to get a da float switch as a failsafe but damn. What a pain in the azzzzz. So inconsistent.

 

[evo_2679]

Not tring to sound like a jerk but since you never liked it - maybe it's time for a new skimmer ?

 

[brettinteriors]

The problem is. Deep breath....... Problem 1. Half round tank has a brace right in the middle of my sump area. 2. I used a cheap DIY glass 28 gallon breeder sump that is really 6-8 inches taller than optimal and I cannot physically get the skimmer out of my sump without completely draining and removing my sump. Problem 3. I don't think I can remove the sump without destroying it. Or removing the cross beam which would involve taking 120 gallons out of the dt. Also, I would need to change the water height to use a different skimmer. I am picturing the nightmare of putting all the dosers, cords, hoses, ect back together.

Eventually, I will get a custom made acrylic sump to fit my exacts and a better skimmer. Time and wife approval are in short supply. Really, I would like make a fish room with easy access to everything. When the kids move out I'm doing it. Of course the fact that they are 2,5, and 8 doesn't bode we'll for the room idea.

 

[aquaph8]

That's the same skimmer I had before my current one and honestly I didn't love it either. Check out the skimmate lockers that Avast has, saved me a bunch of times.

 

[danfeig]

Really just venting here. I have a reef octopus nwb 200. It has randomly/mysteriously overflowed twice this week resulting in water on the floor and crap back into my system. I have never liked it. I am going to get a da float switch as a failsafe but damn. What a pain in the azzzzz. So inconsistent.

Why don't you get a skimmate locker from Avast Marine Works. They have them from 2 quarts up to 5 gallons. Mine works great. If the bucket gets filled, it shuts off the power to skimmer. They are clean, the smaller ones are even cool looking, and they trap in the odors from the skimmer.

 

[David520]

I have the same problem but only with one of my tanks, and even if I switch skimmers it still would do it randomly. I am thinking it's a voltage/amperage issue for mine but haven't looked into it yet. Seems to only do that at night.

 

[Big Jay D]

The thing I have noticed most with my NWB150. About once a month I have to take the inlet off the pump and use a pick to chip off the salt/calcium build up from where the air enters the skimmer. If I do that, once a month, the skimmer works perfect and never needs adjusting. I also dont use the fitting that the air hose plugs into. It always clogs. I just bought a skimmer muffler to quiet it down.

 

[GvineReefer]

I've recently had the same problem with my XP2000SSS. It seemed like every day it was overflowing and when I got home from work I had a mess to clean up. So, last night I decided to open up my stand, grab a beer and sit and watch this thing for a while. I have a JBJ ATO and apparently it isn't turning off my ATO pump all the way. So, even when the ATO turns off, the pump keeps pumping water, which then causes my sump levels to rise and causes the water level in my skimmer to go way up. The rising water levels in my sump is causing a daily overflow, so I'm currently looking for a new pump.

I'm not sure what ATO you have, but this may be something you look at. Spend some time watching things and you might see what is causing the issue.