What Causes Skimmer to Go Crazy with Bubbles?

[Patrick Cox]

I have a Super Reef Octopus 1000 LS that I like a lot. It can pull some serious nasties out of the water. However I often have difficulty dialing in the right bubble level - especially after cleaning. Often it is too low or too high. And then some times, one thing in the sump can change and the skimmer goes crazy! Like I just changed my filter sock and all of a sudden, bubbles/foam just took off and the thing is overflowing.

Are there any good posts/articles on skimmers that would give me some indication of what causes this and then how to dial in these skimmers?

Thanks!

 

[Rutrag]

When you changed your filter sock, did you put in a brand new one? If so, that does it to me every time as well. I guess there is some residue from the manufacturing process that the skimmer is REALLY good at pulling out. I actually throw mine in the washing machine with bleach and rotate the two sets. Once they're broken in, I don't have the problem anymore.

As to your particular skimmer, I can't tell you anything specific, but all of them do better with a constant water level and I imagine you're gaining some efficiency right after cleaning as well once it gets slimed back up on the inside.