Skimmer suddenly going crazy.

KSzegi · 08/09/2011, 11:23 AM

Hope somebody has a suggestion ...... I turned my skimmer (BK mini 200) off earlier today to clean the cup out as normal. Put the cup back on, turned the skimmer back on and now I can't get it to stop overflowing.

Removed and cleaned everything ..... still same problem. Turn it on and it immediately foams right over. Tried adjusting internal and external water levels .... no help. Tried letting it just foam over into the tank for an hour or so ..... no change.

I did not add or change anything in the tank whatsoever ...... the skimmer was working just fine when I shut it off to clean and has never given me any problems at all prior to this.

I'm at a loss for what to try next......help please!

getfooled · 08/09/2011, 12:52 PM

try cutting back the air flow to the venturi

slief · 08/09/2011, 02:04 PM

Not sure if your bk mini has the red pipe that extends into the skimmer body where the pump attaches but if so. Check to make sure the pipe is firmly pressed into the body of the skimmer. On the Alphas, that pipe is removed & easily pulled out when removing the pump. If it slides out just a bit, the skimmer will overflow.

Also make sure there is no water in the Venturi air line. Putting your finger over the air inlet at the top of the skimmer to plug it up for a moment or two will clear that line.

KSzegi · 08/09/2011, 05:24 PM

Thanks, seemed to have fixed the problem! Not sure if the skimmer is the same but the jet tube was loose - seemed to help but not cure the issue ..... but blocking the air inlet did do it! I had tried that earlier but only for a second or two, after holding it for longer we seem to be good to go again.

Thanks again from both of you for responding with some advice!

08/09/2011, 11:23 AM	#1
KSzegi Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 278	Skimmer suddenly going crazy. Hope somebody has a suggestion ...... I turned my skimmer (BK mini 200) off earlier today to clean the cup out as normal. Put the cup back on, turned the skimmer back on and now I can't get it to stop overflowing. Removed and cleaned everything ..... still same problem. Turn it on and it immediately foams right over. Tried adjusting internal and external water levels .... no help. Tried letting it just foam over into the tank for an hour or so ..... no change. I did not add or change anything in the tank whatsoever ...... the skimmer was working just fine when I shut it off to clean and has never given me any problems at all prior to this. I'm at a loss for what to try next......help please!

08/09/2011, 02:04 PM	#3
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	Not sure if your bk mini has the red pipe that extends into the skimmer body where the pump attaches but if so. Check to make sure the pipe is firmly pressed into the body of the skimmer. On the Alphas, that pipe is removed & easily pulled out when removing the pump. If it slides out just a bit, the skimmer will overflow. Also make sure there is no water in the Venturi air line. Putting your finger over the air inlet at the top of the skimmer to plug it up for a moment or two will clear that line. __________________ Director Customer Support Royal Exclusiv USA For All Royal Exclusiv & Bubble King questions please refer to our Sponsor forum: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=745 Current Tank Info: 480G display mixed reef, 90G sump, 90G refugium, 60G display refugium. Check out my build thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1783476

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08/09/2011, 12:52 PM	#2
getfooled Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Gulf Coast TX Posts: 46	try cutting back the air flow to the venturi

08/09/2011, 05:24 PM	#4
KSzegi Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 278	Thanks, seemed to have fixed the problem! Not sure if the skimmer is the same but the jet tube was loose - seemed to help but not cure the issue ..... but blocking the air inlet did do it! I had tried that earlier but only for a second or two, after holding it for longer we seem to be good to go again. Thanks again from both of you for responding with some advice!