How do you handle Skimmer Overflow?

rldcpa · 10/27/2016, 09:44 PM

I have had a 245 gallon tank for 3 years now and occasionally the skimmer goes all bubbly and fills the collector. Most of the times it the skimmer will hold enough that I don't have a major overflow situation.

But once in a while, something sets it off and I am sometimes at work and it runs over and over and puts some of the bacteria that has been skimmed into the sump. When I get home there are bubbles everywhere and water everywhere from the splattering.

What are you all doing about this issue. I do notice that there is a hose I can hook up to the skimmer on the skimmer cup, even though the hose they give you would be too short unless you put a collector container right next to the skimmer.

Let me know your thoughts on this issue. Thank you.

HippieSmell · 10/27/2016, 10:01 PM

Run the hose into a waste collector. Pretty easy. Get a longer hose if need be.

Becks · 10/28/2016, 02:05 AM

If you do that, put a float switch that will cut the power to the skimmer. Mine overflowed it does not spill anywhere but the sump, I just clean the skimmer out and switch it back on

Ron Reefman · 10/28/2016, 04:30 AM

The small rectangular container toward the front is my 'external' collection reservoir.

Here it is pulled out so you can see it at work, half full of wet skimmate.

Focal · 10/28/2016, 04:36 AM

I really like the idea of a float switch on the skimmer cup lid that cuts power to the pump when it's full.

rldcpa · 10/28/2016, 06:27 AM

My only worry with the first posters setup is what happens if the overflow container fills and goes over. I think I would use this method if the overflow container was in the sump so no chance of water outside the sump.

The second poster's idea is good but then I have an issue with having a device attached to my skimmer cup. Would be cumbersome and more difficult to clean cup.

Now combining the 2 above where you put the overflow container in the sump but you put a float on the overflow container instead of the Cup which would still shut it off once the container was full.

What do you think?

Rybren · 10/28/2016, 06:31 AM

On my old setup with an external skimmer, I used a container similar to Ron Reefman's, but I had it placed higher with an overflow tube. When the container got full due to the skimmer going crazy, it would overflow back into the sump. It saved me from a flooded floor many times.

On my current system with an in-sump skimmer, I just let it overflow back into the sump.

wildman926 · 10/28/2016, 08:04 AM

Reef Octopus Waste Collector. Has worked perfectly for the last 5 years.

10/27/2016, 09:44 PM	#1
rldcpa Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 498	How do you handle Skimmer Overflow? I have had a 245 gallon tank for 3 years now and occasionally the skimmer goes all bubbly and fills the collector. Most of the times it the skimmer will hold enough that I don't have a major overflow situation. But once in a while, something sets it off and I am sometimes at work and it runs over and over and puts some of the bacteria that has been skimmed into the sump. When I get home there are bubbles everywhere and water everywhere from the splattering. What are you all doing about this issue. I do notice that there is a hose I can hook up to the skimmer on the skimmer cup, even though the hose they give you would be too short unless you put a collector container right next to the skimmer. Let me know your thoughts on this issue. Thank you. __________________ 245g 72x30x26, SRO5000 skimmer, WB HY-7000 pump, custom sump 60x24x18, 3 Maxspect Razor 160w LED, Neptune Apex, 4 Tunze 6105, Bubble Magus Doser, 80 watt Emperor UV, 2 800w heaters

10/27/2016, 10:01 PM	#2
HippieSmell Occupy Reef Central Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Orbiting Posts: 4,141	Run the hose into a waste collector. Pretty easy. Get a longer hose if need be. __________________ Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like bananas. Current Tank Info: 78"x36"x27" acrylic, 6 Orphek Atlantik V3+ Compacts, MRC Orca Pro II w/washdown, CalcFeeder Pro AC3, Emperor Aquatics 80w UV, 80/20 aluminum stand, Vortech MP60's, Theiling Rollermat, GHL Profilux 3.1T EX, Kessil H380

10/28/2016, 04:30 AM	#4
Ron Reefman Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Cape Coral, FL Posts: 10,431	The small rectangular container toward the front is my 'external' collection reservoir. Here it is pulled out so you can see it at work, half full of wet skimmate. __________________ The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it. (Neil deGrasse Tyson) Visit my build thread http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2593017

10/28/2016, 06:27 AM	#6
rldcpa Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 498	My only worry with the first posters setup is what happens if the overflow container fills and goes over. I think I would use this method if the overflow container was in the sump so no chance of water outside the sump. The second poster's idea is good but then I have an issue with having a device attached to my skimmer cup. Would be cumbersome and more difficult to clean cup. Now combining the 2 above where you put the overflow container in the sump but you put a float on the overflow container instead of the Cup which would still shut it off once the container was full. What do you think? __________________ 245g 72x30x26, SRO5000 skimmer, WB HY-7000 pump, custom sump 60x24x18, 3 Maxspect Razor 160w LED, Neptune Apex, 4 Tunze 6105, Bubble Magus Doser, 80 watt Emperor UV, 2 800w heaters

10/28/2016, 06:31 AM	#7
Rybren Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Ottawa, Canada Posts: 1,642	On my old setup with an external skimmer, I used a container similar to Ron Reefman's, but I had it placed higher with an overflow tube. When the container got full due to the skimmer going crazy, it would overflow back into the sump. It saved me from a flooded floor many times. On my current system with an in-sump skimmer, I just let it overflow back into the sump. __________________ 120G Mixed Reef, 28G AIO zoa/pipefish tank

10/28/2016, 02:05 AM	#3
Becks Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2016 Posts: 151	If you do that, put a float switch that will cut the power to the skimmer. Mine overflowed it does not spill anywhere but the sump, I just clean the skimmer out and switch it back on

10/28/2016, 04:36 AM	#5
Focal Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 23	I really like the idea of a float switch on the skimmer cup lid that cuts power to the pump when it's full.

10/28/2016, 08:04 AM	#8
wildman926 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: CTX Posts: 2,904	Reef Octopus Waste Collector. Has worked perfectly for the last 5 years. __________________ Beware of recommendations by those who don't actually use their recommendation!! The search function actually works quite well!! Tanks:Planet Aquarium 150g LPS, Planet Aquarium 90g Softie