Why does my skimmer go berzerk ???

[kien]

Okay, this is driving me mental!! I've been using this skimmer (Bubble Magus CS220) since this past spring and recently it has been behaving strangely. At least once a week it will bubble over and flood the collection cup and spill into my sump. Drives me mad! I have only ever seen it do this when I use a lot of epoxy but I'm not using epoxy once a week. In fact, I'm not doing anything out of the ordinary. The skimmer has been cleaned thoroughly 3 times this month. The water level in the sump compartment that it is in does not change. I know that it'll do this if a new sock is put on that happens to have detergent residue on it, but nope, will bubble over with old unchanged sock. The first few times it did this I thought, okay, some spawning event or some such thing must have occurred. Well, this is still happening at least once a week and has been doing this for over a month now. If it keeps this up I'm going to throw this skimmer into the blue recycling bin.. after I've run it over a few times.

[viperfish]

Try injecting some hot water down your airline with a syringe. If you have a blockage in your airline or venturi the skimmer level will increase rapidly because the pump is pushing more water than air. This is something that should be done on a regular basis to keep the skimmer running efficiently. It's worth a try.

[kien]

Originally Posted by medhatreefguy

Try injecting some hot water down your airline with a syringe. If you have a blockage in your airline or venturi the skimmer level will increase rapidly because the pump is pushing more water than air. This is something that should be done on a regular basis to keep the skimmer running efficiently. It's worth a try.

Been there done that

[The Grizz]

I would say it is cuz it is CRAZY just like you

[Delphinus]

Mine does the exact same thing about as frequently. Different model skimmer but still a Bubble Magus. Maybe it has something to do with the pump. I've looked at all kinds of things to explain it away like small variances in water level and blockages and dirty intake venturi but it doesn't seem to be any of those things ... it just happens.

And it torques me off too. I've been living with the collection cup overflowing the last few days because I just give up on resetting it every few days.

[Bloodasp]

Mine went crazy lst night and it's not even bubble magus and I didn't do anything different from what I normally do.

[kien]

Originally Posted by The Grizz

I would say it is cuz it is CRAZY just like you

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

[MitchM]

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

[globaldesigns]

Originally Posted by kien

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

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.

[The Grizz]

Originally Posted by kien

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

Sorry dude I just had to throw that out there, could not resist