SRO 3000 issue

[Camps23]

I bought the SRO 3000 for my new 140G build. I received it a few weeks ago. I set it up on my 75G for 2wks to break it in while I setup my new system. It ran amazing on the 75! By the 2nd day it was pulling tons of skimmate.
Now the new tank is setup and I put the skimmer online this weekend. It's been running for 3 days now and it's just constantly foaming over. I had to pull the drain plug out of the cup and just let it drain back into the sump. The skimmer should be broken in by now as it ran for a few weeks on my last system. Any idea why there is so much foam ? It's running in 7" of water.

[wildman926]

Something in the chemistry of your water is causing the foam. Put in the appropriate amount of carbon to remove what is in your water causing this.

[Camps23]

Originally Posted by wildman926

Something in the chemistry of your water is causing the foam. Put in the appropriate amount of carbon to remove what is in your water causing this.

I havent used carbon much what's recommended ? What should I test water for ? Can whatever is causing the foam be dangerous for my livestock?

[wtac]

There is definitely something in the water that is making the skimmer "overfoam". It could be anything from the recent use of epoxy, new pieces of LR, substrate, etc.

My recommendation is to set the open the gate valve fully and whatever the skimmer cup collects, dump it out in the sink rather than putting it back into the system as whatever is causing the skimmer to overfoam, you're just putting it back into the system.

I know it's a new skimmer but let's just double check that the air line to the volute and fittin at the volute is clear from obstructions. Blocked air will increase water level in the skimmer of internal NW skimmers.

If the the overfoaming is that significant, raise the skimmer 1-2" w/ riser PVC tubes to get a more controlled skimmate collection. If all fails and the collection cup fills quickly, then you will have to set a chunk of time aside and do the following:

- make a few pails of NSW
- dump what the collection cup collects or connect drain line of skimmate cup with a longer hose that leads to a "waste bucket".
- add NSW into system to compensate for lost water from overfoaming collection
- repeat until you get a stable foam head.

JME/HTH

Added: try ~2cps of carbon.

[Camps23]

I have the gate valve opened fully an it's still foaming like that. I will try the suggest this below and report back.

Originally Posted by wtac

There is definitely something in the water that is making the skimmer "overfoam". It could be anything from the recent use of epoxy, new pieces of LR, substrate, etc.

My recommendation is to set the open the gate valve fully and whatever the skimmer cup collects, dump it out in the sink rather than putting it back into the system as whatever is causing the skimmer to overfoam, you're just putting it back into the system.

I know it's a new skimmer but let's just double check that the air line to the volute and fittin at the volute is clear from obstructions. Blocked air will increase water level in the skimmer of internal NW skimmers.

If the the overfoaming is that significant, raise the skimmer 1-2" w/ riser PVC tubes to get a more controlled skimmate collection. If all fails and the collection cup fills quickly, then you will have to set a chunk of time aside and do the following:

- make a few pails of NSW
- dump what the collection cup collects or connect drain line of skimmate cup with a longer hose that leads to a "waste bucket".
- add NSW into system to compensate for lost water from overfoaming collection
- repeat until you get a stable foam head.

JME/HTH

Added: try ~2cps of carbon.

[wildman926]

Originally Posted by Camps23

I havent used carbon much what's recommended ? What should I test water for ? Can whatever is causing the foam be dangerous for my livestock?

Just put in the appropriate amount of carbon, that is recommended for your tank size. It will say how much to use on the container.

[Camps23]

Originally Posted by wildman926

Just put in the appropriate amount of carbon, that is recommended for your tank size. It will say how much to use on the container.

Unfortunately the LFS is closed Monday's.
I will pick some up tomorrow.

[Camps23]

Thanks for the advice, I ran the skimmer with drain emptying into a pail. I replaced removed water with fsw. Skimmer is working better now no foam overs. Should be making skimmate by tomorrow. Do you still recommend running carbon ?

Originally Posted by wtac

There is definitely something in the water that is making the skimmer "overfoam". It could be anything from the recent use of epoxy, new pieces of LR, substrate, etc.

My recommendation is to set the open the gate valve fully and whatever the skimmer cup collects, dump it out in the sink rather than putting it back into the system as whatever is causing the skimmer to overfoam, you're just putting it back into the system.

I know it's a new skimmer but let's just double check that the air line to the volute and fittin at the volute is clear from obstructions. Blocked air will increase water level in the skimmer of internal NW skimmers.

If the the overfoaming is that significant, raise the skimmer 1-2" w/ riser PVC tubes to get a more controlled skimmate collection. If all fails and the collection cup fills quickly, then you will have to set a chunk of time aside and do the following:

- make a few pails of NSW
- dump what the collection cup collects or connect drain line of skimmate cup with a longer hose that leads to a "waste bucket".
- add NSW into system to compensate for lost water from overfoaming collection
- repeat until you get a stable foam head.

JME/HTH

Added: try ~2cps of carbon.

[wildman926]

It would not hurt to ensure you get out completely what caused the foaming in the first place.

[wtac]

If you haven't added carbon yet, I wouldn't bother.

Seems like whatever is causing the overfoaming is getting skimmed out and will soon get back to "normal" skimming.

As wildman pointed out it wouldn't hurt and will keep your water crystal clear

[geaux xman]

see if you can try it at 5.5-6" of water. mine would overflow if i had it at 7".