pH probe says pH goes from 7.7 to 8.2 each and every day without exception. Has been like that since I started monitoring pH with the probe over a year ago.

so when you are at work, your auto feeder is on right? Does your feeder ring still align correctly?

Yes. But it doesn't happen every day. Just some random point in the week.

What day does your blue recycling bin got collected :-) Btw, have you check the air valve?

Yup shoved a pipe cleaner down that bad boy and cleaned it out several times.

Between this damn skimmer and the coconut bra fiasco I'm starting to question whether I should continue with this hobby :(

I don't think it's the skimmer.

If you have a look at episode 88 pt 4 of LA Fishguys, shortly after they add some skimmate to a new skimmer in a tank with water only, the skimmer foam level starts rising.

Here's a link to the video: http://www.lafishguys.com/88-%20prot...skimmer-04.htm

I think that what's happening in a tank that is otherwise stable with a properly adjusted and clean skimmer and the skimmer suddenly overflows is that there has been a sudden increase in coral allelopathy with increased mucus production.

I don't think you can prepare for it, other than have an in sump skimmer or install a drain tube in your collection cup (part way up the cup) that flows back into your sump.
That way it won't drain your tank and when you notice it just clean your skimmer cup and change your carbon.

Mitch

Hey, with all the problems I have been having, you have no excuse for leaving this fine, frustration, hair tear out, cursing hobby!!!!!

You'll figure it out, good luck and let us know if you find the reason.

I personally run clean RO water down all my air lines on both skimmers once a week, to clean out anything that may accumulate. Something you might want to try.

I think the dissolved organics/allelopathy theory is probably onto something there. I've had this same problem with other skimmers as well and the one common element to all the ones that had this problem was they are all meshwheel or needlewheel style, so I think whatever it is, it's something that skimmers that rely on smashed bubbles are particularly sensitive to. Skimmers that rely on foam by crashing and friction, like becketts, aren't sensitive in the same way because what seems to happen for them in most cases is that the foam just stops producing for a little while and then starts up again.

If it is (or could be) a dissolved organics issue then it seems to me the first thing to try would be to increase the carbon. For some DOC carbon does a better job of removing than skimmers are unable to, so it can't hurt in the long run (except you'll need to budget more for carbon but in the grand scheme that's a pretty inconsequential running cost compared to others)..

I have had overflowing problems with many skimmers, especially in the store.

The main issue is when the air line or filter gets plugged. Make sure you clean it with fresh water, not salt.

I noticed it happend a lot on the BM-QQ's because the airline is connected to the collection cup, alas the airline gets plugged with skimmate, then it blows it load.

Just my observations.

Ken - BWA