Skimmer overflowing

[Fishbulb2]

Shoot. I just accidentally poured an aggregious amount of Mr. Bubbles into the aquarium. The sump is overflowing with this crap now. Any ideas? I just replaced all of the GFP and carbon in the reactor with Rox. Anything other than just waiting it out? I'm draining from the skimmer but it's pretty much all bubbles and no liquid. Anything I can add to the skimmer cup to make the bubbles pop and drain the liquid?

arg,
FB

 

[Fishbulb2]

OMG. I need a shop vac. :-(

 

[Fishbulb2]

So angry at self. No one else to blame.

 

[mcgyvr]

Post video or it didn't happen

 

[Fishbulb2]

Let's see if this works.

This was towards the beginning. Remarkably it's more under control now. I had to pull this foam off about every three minutes for about 3 hours. Sheesh. Rough afternoon.

 

[Fishbulb2]

Sorry, it's not letting me post the pic link. Not sure why.

 

[Fishbulb2]

Hmmm still can't figure out the picture thing. Frustrating.

Maybe this direct link works?

https://www.amazon.com/photos/shared/OZ9UWAYMQF68lS_zuKmq5w.-EybPR4CtcGyFlgVNboF9W


So here's what happened. I use a lot of distilled water for the aquarium for various reasons. I used it clean the refractometer and to clean vials for test kits.

We also run a large light show for the holidays and I mount a nice snow machine on the roof of the house every year. The fake snow solution is... yup, Distilled water, Mr Bubbles, and isopropyl alcohol. My brain must have been turned off again but I saw a bottle of about 1/4 distilled water in our mudroom and I thought rather than waste it, just use it to feed the plants. Then I though, oh the aquarium would be even better!

So yup in the aquarium it went and that was my afternoon mess to clean up. As soon SOON as it went in, I knew IMMEDIATELY. My gut sank, and sure enough.

 

[Oldreeferman]

Always want to taste anything your gonna put in your reef tank first for safety!:wildone:

 

[Fishbulb2]

Always want to taste anything your gonna put in your reef tank first for safety!:wildone:

Thanks for the tip!

 

[Oldreeferman]

Ya know im just teasing ya right?

 

[Fishbulb2]

:beer:

 

[Fishbulb2]

I will say, it's always remarkable to me how resilient an established reef tank actually is. While this is likely the stupidest thing I've done to the tank in a while, I've had a lot of other snafus. Things always bounce back. Everything looks fine now. All the crabs and shrimp are out again. All of the corals have polyp extension, and the fish look fine. (Not that I'll do this again in the future!)

FB

 

[bertoni]

Well, that's good news! Water changes can help in cases like this. Also, running the skimmer and replacing the water it takes out is helpful, as you've seen.