Trying to understand overflowing skimmer...

Pat Niemeyer · 02/10/2018, 09:38 AM

The answer to this question may be the obvious - that my pump is too strong for this skimmer - but I'm not understanding a few things so I'll ask:

I have a needle wheel impeller driven skimmer in my (EShopps) sump:
(rough pic of the skimmer) https://imgur.com/a/hSxEA
And I recently replaced this: ASM 3500 pump http://a.co/7gWJdgW with a: Marine Source SP3. http://a.co/dxp5Lj2
They don't list GPH for the latter but it appears to be a smaller pump and was cheaper.

What I wasn't expecting is that after replacing it I cannot seem to get it to stop overflowing. The controls I'm used to are: amount of air in the venturi and the amount of back pressure adjustable with the height of the tube shown on the left. But even with max air in and min back pressure (tube not extended at all) foam overflows into the cup.

Now, the cup can be *sealed* by closing it and turning it to lock it down and if I do this then it does not overflow... But I have never had to do this before and I it seems dangerous to me to rely on this. (Imagine the seal releases for some reason and it floods and washes a months worth of skim into the tank).

Questions:

Is it normal for the protein skimmer cup to be sealed?

Do I have any other options here other than that or to restrict the pump water inlet to reduce its power?

thanks,
Pat

Vinny Kreyling · 02/10/2018, 09:50 AM

I believe it was designed to be sealed, will not slide apart fall & break when moved for cleaning.
As me how I know.

sirreal63 · 02/10/2018, 11:16 AM

It appears you replaced a 420lph pump with one that does 700lph. What you are describing would happen with way too much pump for the body.

reeffer · 02/10/2018, 08:57 PM

You can try raising the whole skimmer where it only bubble up to the neck.

Indymann99 · 02/11/2018, 01:29 PM

+1 I had to put my ASM G2 on a stand in the sump to get the correct water level.

Yeah the sump is a mess....

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Dan_P · 02/11/2018, 01:31 PM

Sounds like too much air is flowing into the skimmer or the height of the water in the skimmer is too high (too close to the output). You mentioned that you have the air set to maximum. Rethink this adjustment.

02/10/2018, 09:38 AM	#1
Pat Niemeyer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: St. Louis, MO, USA Posts: 165	Trying to understand overflowing skimmer... The answer to this question may be the obvious - that my pump is too strong for this skimmer - but I'm not understanding a few things so I'll ask: I have a needle wheel impeller driven skimmer in my (EShopps) sump: (rough pic of the skimmer) https://imgur.com/a/hSxEA And I recently replaced this: ASM 3500 pump http://a.co/7gWJdgW with a: Marine Source SP3. http://a.co/dxp5Lj2 They don't list GPH for the latter but it appears to be a smaller pump and was cheaper. What I wasn't expecting is that after replacing it I cannot seem to get it to stop overflowing. The controls I'm used to are: amount of air in the venturi and the amount of back pressure adjustable with the height of the tube shown on the left. But even with max air in and min back pressure (tube not extended at all) foam overflows into the cup. Now, the cup can be sealed by closing it and turning it to lock it down and if I do this then it does not overflow... But I have never had to do this before and I it seems dangerous to me to rely on this. (Imagine the seal releases for some reason and it floods and washes a months worth of skim into the tank). Questions: Is it normal for the protein skimmer cup to be sealed? Do I have any other options here other than that or to restrict the pump water inlet to reduce its power? thanks, Pat

02/10/2018, 09:50 AM	#2
Vinny Kreyling Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Miller Place, NY Posts: 7,206	I believe it was designed to be sealed, will not slide apart fall & break when moved for cleaning. As me how I know. __________________ 250 gallon mixed reef, 2 Reefbreeder's Photon V 2, Deepwater BLDC 12, DAS EX-3 Skimmer, MTC mini cal, 2-3/4" Sea Swirls, Aquacontroller & 6 Tunze pumps.

02/10/2018, 11:16 AM	#3
sirreal63 Go Spurs Go!!! Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Meadowlakes Texas Posts: 13,357	It appears you replaced a 420lph pump with one that does 700lph. What you are describing would happen with way too much pump for the body. __________________ Jack No One has ever been seriously injured by using the search function. Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms should be a convenience store, not a government agency. Current Tank Info: Reefing the Pentagon.

02/11/2018, 01:29 PM	#5
Indymann99 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 2,447	+1 I had to put my ASM G2 on a stand in the sump to get the correct water level. Yeah the sump is a mess.... [IMG]******** async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8">[/IMG] __________________ 120g DT 100lbs LR / 200 lbs LS, 45g fuge, VectraM1 Return, Herbie drain, 4x RW-8, 2x AI Hydra 26 w AWM, ASM G2, Apex controller, Apex BoB w floats ATO

02/10/2018, 08:57 PM	#4
reeffer Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Brentwood Posts: 99	You can try raising the whole skimmer where it only bubble up to the neck.

02/11/2018, 01:31 PM	#6
Dan_P Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 1,432	Sounds like too much air is flowing into the skimmer or the height of the water in the skimmer is too high (too close to the output). You mentioned that you have the air set to maximum. Rethink this adjustment.