Skimmer randomly goes crazy

[jacobzking]

something is causing my skimmer to just randomly go nuts. before I added my sump, it was working like a champ, no issues, stable, etc. since adding the new sump and fuge (it does have miracle mud maybe the cause?) the skimmer randomly just goes nuts. i have the adjustment all the way down. at this moment, its fine, but 5 minutes ago it was bubbling over really fast and dumping water in to my 5 gallon waste bucket. overnight, it basically ran my return section on the sump dry and I woke up to a partially submerged mag7. so i emptied out my waste bucket (full to the brim with another gallon or so on my floor) and topped off the system. it was fine (stable; no excessive bubbling) from about 11am till about 10 minutes ago (6:30pm), when suddenly the skimmer just started draining the sump again.

someone mentioned miracle mud could cause that. any other guesses? nothing else has changed in the system other than adding some chaeto to the fuge... but thats on the other side of the skimmer. also, my biopellet reactor is returning water just before the skimmer to catch crap from it... maybe thats the prob? any help would be appreciated!

 

[kc350twin]

Have you used any epoxy recently or a large amount that is not cured?
Filter sock?




Kc3

 

[jacobzking]

i had to reinforce a wall on my sump with some aqueon aquarium safe silicone, but i let it dry for 48 hours. no filter sock, could that make a difference?

 

[kc350twin]

I doubt it. I would think that would make it flat and produce no foam.

All the passages of the air line have been checked for blockages or calcium build up?




Kc3

 

[jacobzking]

just fiddled with the airlines, maybe that was it... i'll report back, thanks!

 

[sail33]

I forgot to prewash a filter sock and the water in the sump foamed over but it didn't affect the skimmer. I don't use Miracle mud and from what I've read, it doesn't do much anyway.

Every now and then, my skimmer will either produce nothing or foam like crazy but it's rare.

I suggest you take the skimmer out, clean it with vinegar, Air lines, base, motor and all. Then re-install and see what you get.

The overflow is why I keep my skimmer in the sump. Although I do have a drain line from the cup, I have a valve on it. That way if the skimmer does go nutz, the water ends up in the sump where it began.

That's all I've got for you.
Good luck !

 

[kc350twin]

How long has the skimmer been in operation?
My Venturi clogs with calcium every so often. I have to pull it off and scrape it with a tiny screw driver.




Kc3

 

[jacobzking]

hey KC! it seems to have just been a kinked airline. after your suggestion I fiddled with the airlines and all is back to normal now thanks so much!


quick question, what are the two pumps for? i've always had HOB skimmers with single pumps. are they both doing the exact same tasks and just doubling the power? or do they have different functions?