Skimmer Overflowing after installing Chiller

[lazydaze73]

Hey all, so i just installed a JBJ 1/5hp chiller and a Rio+ 2100 (692gph) to run it. The pump is in the first chamber of my sump where the return with filter sock, skimmer and heaters are also. As soon as i plugged in the pump to circulate the water through the chiller, the skimmer began to overflow rapidly. Not sure what is causing this. Only thing i can think is its causing more turbulent water which makes more air bubbles in the water which makes it foam up faster? Ive since adjusted it and its seems to be ok now but i'm just kinda stumped as to why it happened. Anyone got any info?

 

[mcgyvr]

You temporarily changed the water level in the skimmer area..
Normal..

 

[lazydaze73]

The water level is exactly the same now though. The pump and the return from the chiller are both in the first compartment of the sump so the level doesn't change except for a brief second when I plugged it in. But it still wants to overflow. I've had to dial it down a ton and it still seems like it goes all the way to the top of the cup way to easily.

 

[spznm]

Did you rinse the chiller with RO water before putting it in your tank? It might have something inside that caused the skimmer to go nuts.

 

[lazydaze73]

I did a flush with vinegar for a couple hours, then straight RODI, then I flushed with saltwater. I wonder if some vinegar was still inside. I flushed it with ro and then saltwater for quite a few hours each.

 

[lazydaze73]

Im stumped as to whats happening with my skimmer. I thought i had it adjusted correctly again after adding the chiller. I had the bubbles breaking about a quarter of the way up the cup like i had before but now it seems to just be making watery bubbles and not foam, and after i thought i had it adjusted correctly i came back and checked about 30 mins later and the cup was full of water again and it was bubbling over again. I just dont know what could have changed that much by adding a little pump and circulating more water. Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[lazydaze73]

I think by adding the pump in the first chamber that the displacement from it's volume raised the water level in the first chamber by maybe 1/4". Would that be enough to make the skimmer go crazy? I'm just stumped. I had to just unplug it before I went to work so it wouldn't splash water all over the place.

 

[coralsnaked]

Move the Rio pump to the pump box with your return pump and the discharge hose in the same box. This will mean you are running nothing in the skimmer box and will solve the problem whatever it is.

 

[lazydaze73]

Yeah I thought of that. I'm just running out of room in that compartment of the sump. I already have 3 pumps in there. But maybe that what I'll have to do.

 

[JoelA7]

Why not just put the chiller in line with your return pump? One less pump and problem solved.

 

[tzylak]

+1 on the in-line solution mentioned above.
OTOH it might not have anything to do with the overflow issue.
I am curious of the results (and of the original cause).
Good luck!

 

[lazydaze73]

Ok so I thought I'd post an update. And the update is I really have no clue what caused the skimmer to freak out. I thought it was that by adding the rio pump I displaced enough water volume to raise the level of the water in the first chamber. But I removed the rio pump and the water level stayed exactly the same. So I really don't know. But I did unplug the skimmer for 3 days while I went to work. When I came home I plugged it back in and adjusted it and it started making a good foam again and hasn't overflowed at all. It's not making watery bubbles anymore and the level in the neck isnt fluctuating as much. Now I'm thinking maybe some vinegar or something else caused it to freak out. So honestly I don't know but now the skimmer is working properly again. So maybe my experience can help someone else with the same problem.

 

[lazydaze73]

Ok so my skimmer is still being stupid. Seems to run ok for awhile then randomly overflows. Doesn't seem to be making foam just bubbles. I noticed today there seemed to be some water in the venturi line. Not sure how it got there. It doesn't seem to be sucking air like it used to. Any suggestions?

 

[ERIC85854]

Ok so my skimmer is still being stupid. Seems to run ok for awhile then randomly overflows. Doesn't seem to be making foam just bubbles. I noticed today there seemed to be some water in the venturi line. Not sure how it got there. It doesn't seem to be sucking air like it used to. Any suggestions?

The addition of the chiller, pump, and/or tubing must have introduced some type of residue to the water and changed the surface tension. You just have to wait or do large water changes.