Skimmer Overflowing?

[ZenAqua]

First thread! After many months of browsing. On to my issue:

I have an eShopps HOB skimmer for my sump-less 65 gallon. I set it up about three weeks ago as a tank to cure some live rock that I had shipped to me, about 100 pounds.

So obviously there was a lot of die-off. Skimmer was overflowing on day 1, so much that I unplugged it. I did a 50% water change and sucked up almost all detritus - now the tank looks good, and nitrates are reading close to 0 (after being extremely high before the WC).

Started skimmer again, same problem. I thought it would be better after removing all the crap it was being forced to process...??

The only adjustment I see on the skimmer is with the water level inside of it, so I made this as low as possible. Are there more adjustments I'm missing?

 

[mcgyvr]

Remove the foam filter on the output..
More than likely thats the problem.. It clogs quickly and causes the water level to rise..
Then use the normal adjustment (turn the loose upper outlet pipe that has the white dot on it)

 

[ZenAqua]

Tried that, no luck... Could it be something else?

It's almost immediately that the bubbles start overflowing the cup, resulting in a pretty consistent drip onto the floor.

 

[mcgyvr]

Tried that, no luck... Could it be something else?

It's almost immediately that the bubbles start overflowing the cup, resulting in a pretty consistent drip onto the floor.

No.. Skimmers do take time to "break in" though..(up to 2 weeks sometimes)..
What you do is
#1- ditch the foam piece..
#2- turn the adjustment tube so the white dot is facing the skimmer or just remove the pipe for now..
and let it run..
If its overflowing then something else is totally wrong... But there is nothing else that really can be provided the air tube is not clogged.. (but you wouldn't get bubbles either if it was)

 

[scooter31707]

Have you added any chemicals or anything to the tank when this occurred?

 

[ZenAqua]

Thanks guys. I have ditched the foam piece, and removed the adjustment tube. Still bubbling over. No chemicals at all in the tank. Just curing live rock...

I've broken in skimmers before, and it's always been the opposite - not enough bubbling for a couple days. I've considered just letting it run with a bucket underneath, but that worries me for obvious reasons!

Any other thoughts? Would a picture help? Maybe it's something super simple.

 

[scooter31707]

Are you at the recommended sump water level for the skimmer?

 

[ZenAqua]

It's the eShopps HOB skimmer

 

[doradosteve]

This drove me INSANE as I did not have the directions to the skimmer.

When new, you are to elevate the skimmer to prevent overflow. Lower it after a few days & emptying collection cup several times.

It WILL work (combined what mcgyver is saying)

 

[ZenAqua]

Here are some pictures of how it's set-up, and also in operation. Begins overflowing within 1-2 minutes.

 

[ZenAqua]

This drove me INSANE as I did not have the directions to the skimmer.

When new, you are to elevate the skimmer to prevent overflow. Lower it after a few days & emptying collection cup several times.

It WILL work (combined what mcgyver is saying)

It's driving ME insane too! When you say elevate the skimmer - do you mean rig something up so the entire skimmer sits higher on the back of the tank? I manually lifted for a few minutes and it didn't seem to make a difference.

 

[ZenAqua]

I guess best course of action is just letting it run and put a bucket underneath to catch the overflow. Trust that this is the break-in period?

 

[doradosteve]

It's driving ME insane too! When you say elevate the skimmer - do you mean rig something up so the entire skimmer sits higher on the back of the tank? I manually lifted for a few minutes and it didn't seem to make a difference.

Yes.
It does state it in the manual.

I elevated mine 1.5"

 

[ZenAqua]

Thanks dorado - I will definitely try that trick tomorrow