Too much Chemiclean

moondoggy4

Team RC
I guess I put too much Chemiclean in my 120 gallon tank. I have done 4 15 gallons water changes and changed the carbon every three days, but I still cannot use my skimmer just overflows in a minute. Any ideas. Thanks in advance
 
I guess I put too much Chemiclean in my 120 gallon tank. I have done 4 15 gallons water changes and changed the carbon every three days, but I still cannot use my skimmer just overflows in a minute. Any ideas. Thanks in advance

It takes about a week for skimmers to start operating normally after a chemiclean treatment(48 hour period) is over. I would not worry about it. One way you can speed it up is to raise the skimmer in the sump. Otherwise, just wait and plug your skimmer in every day until it starts acting normal.

They don't tell you this in the Chemiclean instructions, but it happens that way with me ever time I use it, and I don't overdose. Just increase your WCs temporarily when not using the skimmer, and don't waste carbon changing it all the time. It won't speed up the process. Been there, done that.
 
I just pulled the collection cup and the skimmer overflow for the night. It worked just fine in the morning.
 
If you keep running the skimmer, and replace the skimmate with saltwater, the situation might clear up more quickly. I probably wouldn't use up too much water this way, though, or spend a lot of time on it.
 
Five O I tried that ran the skimmer for a day, no luck so far.
bertoni The cup fills within a minute it would be nice if I had a drain and then I could hook up the my ATO to my SW mix instead of the RO.
This is what I used to do^^ but this time I think I put too much in the fish and corals are fine just can't get in front of the curve ball concerning the skimmer as of now.
 
Hi, I have run Chemiclean a couple of times, do about 3 water change, but use carbon for a couple of days before the skimmer goes back on line, the carbon really helps.
 
I just went through the same issue. 9 days and 2 water changes later, the skimmer would still fill up immediately. Last night I tried what bertoni suggested and ran my skimmer drain to an empty 5 gallon jug. After 3 gallons, the skimmer calmed down and stopped overflowing. I am still not back to my original skimmer setting so I'm sure there is still some remaining residue in my tank, but at least I can skim again.

Thanks for the tip Bertoni. :thumbsup:
 
I did the Chemiclean on Weds Oct 17 so it has been two weeks and I still cannot use the skimmer, it just overfilled the skimmer again last night.
 
Well, at least one skimmer is back working. :)

Two weeks is a long time. I'd be tempted to start doing 10% water changes once a day, particularly if some animals started having troubles.
 
It seems to be safe on average, although it has been known to crash tanks. I'm not sure why the crashes occur, but it might be due to rotting cyanobacteria or toxins from them.
 
I did not have a bad breakout it was actually a mild case. I have another 20 gallons being made right now so hopefully it will be ready tomorrow. The tank looks fine the fish and corals look fine, I guess all of the water changes as help out a lot. Thanks again
 
+1 on empty skimmer and replace with tank water. The problem is the water in the skimmer does not circulate so until the water in the skimmer is circulated out all the water changes in the world will not help. I have dosed 3 times and always have to wait 48 hrs.. Do a 20% water change circulate the tank for 24-48 hrs after water change (with carbon) without skimmer. Replace water in skimmer and by day 5 I am fine.
 
Hmm, that's a lot of foam. I might be tempted to run and drain the skimmer for a while. It's a lot of work, though.
 
I just bought some Watts fittings for a drain for my skimmer and the size of the elbow is 1/2OD (3/8CTS) X 3/8 MIP that is what is going into the bottom plate of my skimmer cup, any thoughts of what type of tapp should I use? Thanks in advance
 
Try adjusting the air flow into the skimmer. I've been able to get my skimmer working right at the 48 hour water change point. It certainly DOES NOT take a week. You need to start slow with introducing air. Try completely shutting off the air valve and begin opening up slowly. It takes a few hours, but come back each hour and open it slightly more. After about 3 or 4 hours you will be skimming normally without bubbling over.
 
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