WC causes skimmer to overflow for days

[MitchM]

There can be signifigant water chemistry changes including changes of the properties of surface tension to your aquarium water when doing a water change. It depends on the chemistry difference between exisiting water and new water characteristics.
I would turn off the skimmer for a couple of days after a water change if it is a problem.

[e46er]

Originally Posted by MitchM

There can be signifigant water chemistry changes including changes of the properties of surface tension to your aquarium water when doing a water change. It depends on the chemistry difference between exisiting water and new water characteristics.
I would turn off the skimmer for a couple of days after a water change if it is a problem.

Well I do WC every 2 weeks so I can't imagine it's drastically different. None of my skimmers in the past have ever done this. Turning it off for a couple days isn't really an option since I'll need to be home when I turn it back on since it's not consistent and I don't want t overflowing

Originally Posted by Myka

Which skimmer? Have you measured water depth?

From an vertex in180 to vertex in280
8 "water depth

[clermont]

Originally Posted by e46er

nothing has changed in the last 4-5 years apart from the skimmer. i use prime
just salt and i test the first batch and adjust the ca/alk / mg as needed. i roll the bucket first to mix it up, same chems Ive been using for years. last time I ordered a batch was probably a year ago but i use them in my dosing and nothing is out of wack. 55Gal plastic drum Ive had for 6-8 years, clean it out id say every 6 months.
my vertex in180 never had this issue. im just dumbfounded what would cause this. the skimmer neck is also clean.

it runs just fine for weeks i shut it off do a WC and 15-20 min later it wont stop overflowing

Prime will do it. I have used Prime exactly twice and both times my skimmer went nuts for a couple days. Try your next change without and my guess is you will not have that problem.

[gobytron]

Sorry to Hijack, I have been thinking about switching to tap water...have never used anything but ro/di and want to see for myself how tap water is actually different.

Myka, is there a particular dechlorinator you would recco?

[Coasting]

If youre actually in coquitlam we have great water. Ive used tap water with Prime for the last 4 years. Never had an issue, skimmers fine lol even my old skimmer didnt have issues. Prime causing skimmers to overflow .... thats just funny.

[gobytron]

I know we've got a really low tds from the buntzen reservoir, I don't miss the water softener i had to use in Alberta.

I'll pick up some prime and do the next few wc with tap.

Sure would make life a little easier.

thanks for the recco.

[e46er]

Originally Posted by clermont

Prime will do it. I have used Prime exactly twice and both times my skimmer went nuts for a couple days. Try your next change without and my guess is you will not have that problem.

Usually the prime is put in the mixing bucket and that's 2 weeks before it goes into the tank. The vertex in180 never did this.
I'll try tho and report back.

[hillegom]

As far as I know, our lower mainland water is only treated with chlorine, a gas that dissipates out of the water all by itself, or faster with an airstone.
Someone a while back posted that the LM does not use chloramines.

I have never used prime as I always mix my water days in advance.