Aquamaxx Skimmer problem - Help!

ScubaRaven · 09/03/2012, 09:10 PM

I have an aquamaxx skimmer running on my 30g reef. It has been working wonderfully for about a month, but a few days ago, I added a very small amount of water from another source while adding a new coral (maybe 1/2 a cup max!) to my system along with the coral and the skimmer immediately started overflowing like crazy! This is a hang-on skimmer. So anyway... I ran it for a while, and withing about 30 minutes, it drained 2 gallons of water from my system. I decided to give the skimmer a break for a few days. Today, I tested everything, all good. So I turned it back on... same thing.. it's overflowing clear bubbles at like a gallon every 30 minutes... any ideas? ugh!!! I did disassemble it and made sure there was no blockage or anything like that... still no luck. When I plug the air intake, water level is good as well.

Richard

NaH2Ofreak · 09/03/2012, 09:48 PM

large water change should take care of it. A medication of some sort was probably in the small amout of water you added. You also could just let the skimmer do it's thing until it's removed everything and add saltwater to replace what all the skimmer removes.

j tavares · 09/03/2012, 09:51 PM

yes water change then run carbon for a day or so leave skimmerr off then try in 48 hrs again

NaH2Ofreak · 09/04/2012, 07:25 AM

Yes, and carbon. Good idea!

Dennis

MarineDepot · 09/04/2012, 03:56 PM

I am sorry to hear about the issues you are having with your skimmer. It is very natural for any protein skimmer to have the same reaction as you did. I would agree with NaH2Ofreak, and set your skimmer fully open.

If you have the AquaMaxx HOB-1, raise the cup to its highest point and keep discarding the watery skimmate as it fills up. Top off your aquarium with new saltwater as you discard water from the skimmer. As soon as you remove the chemicals from your system, your skimmer will calm down. I hope this helps.

Dan

ScubaRaven · 09/04/2012, 06:14 PM

I did a 25% water change and ran the skimmer for another two hours.. It took out about 4 gallons but finally subsided... ugh!!! I literally added maybe a half cup of water from the bag the coral came in... never again...

moondoggy4 · 09/04/2012, 07:27 PM

Did the coral and water have any of the Revive or another brand of medication for dipping corals?

gottalikesharks · 09/04/2012, 07:48 PM

If it is still doing it, or does it again, just put a piece of hose on the overflow that is long enough to reach down to the little opening and just let it overflow back into there.

I had the same thing happen to me when I started a new DIY refugium, it lasted a couple of days and then it was back to normal.

ScubaRaven · 09/08/2012, 09:15 PM

I'm honestly not sure what was in the water... it came from a source that I normally don't buy from.

Fish Junction · 09/08/2012, 10:02 PM

Sounds like water conditioner, I have seen stores put a squirt of Stress Coat or something similar when bagging corals and fish, or they could be using them in their systems for dechlor. Most stress coat type dechlorinators have aloe in them.

09/03/2012, 09:10 PM	#1
ScubaRaven Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Diego, CA. Posts: 777	Aquamaxx Skimmer problem - Help! I have an aquamaxx skimmer running on my 30g reef. It has been working wonderfully for about a month, but a few days ago, I added a very small amount of water from another source while adding a new coral (maybe 1/2 a cup max!) to my system along with the coral and the skimmer immediately started overflowing like crazy! This is a hang-on skimmer. So anyway... I ran it for a while, and withing about 30 minutes, it drained 2 gallons of water from my system. I decided to give the skimmer a break for a few days. Today, I tested everything, all good. So I turned it back on... same thing.. it's overflowing clear bubbles at like a gallon every 30 minutes... any ideas? ugh!!! I did disassemble it and made sure there was no blockage or anything like that... still no luck. When I plug the air intake, water level is good as well. Richard __________________ Rich Valentine ScubaRaven Current Tank Info: 30G reef cube - SKIMMER-LESS!!!! :D

09/04/2012, 06:14 PM	#6
ScubaRaven Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Diego, CA. Posts: 777	I did a 25% water change and ran the skimmer for another two hours.. It took out about 4 gallons but finally subsided... ugh!!! I literally added maybe a half cup of water from the bag the coral came in... never again... __________________ Rich Valentine ScubaRaven Current Tank Info: 30G reef cube - SKIMMER-LESS!!!! :D

09/08/2012, 09:15 PM	#9
ScubaRaven Premium Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Diego, CA. Posts: 777	I'm honestly not sure what was in the water... it came from a source that I normally don't buy from. __________________ Rich Valentine ScubaRaven Current Tank Info: 30G reef cube - SKIMMER-LESS!!!! :D

09/03/2012, 09:48 PM	#2
NaH2Ofreak Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,468	large water change should take care of it. A medication of some sort was probably in the small amout of water you added. You also could just let the skimmer do it's thing until it's removed everything and add saltwater to replace what all the skimmer removes.

09/03/2012, 09:51 PM	#3
j tavares Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,157	yes water change then run carbon for a day or so leave skimmerr off then try in 48 hrs again

09/04/2012, 07:25 AM	#4
NaH2Ofreak Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 1,468	Yes, and carbon. Good idea! Dennis

09/04/2012, 03:56 PM	#5
MarineDepot Sponsor Join Date: Oct 2001 Posts: 5,129	I am sorry to hear about the issues you are having with your skimmer. It is very natural for any protein skimmer to have the same reaction as you did. I would agree with NaH2Ofreak, and set your skimmer fully open. If you have the AquaMaxx HOB-1, raise the cup to its highest point and keep discarding the watery skimmate as it fills up. Top off your aquarium with new saltwater as you discard water from the skimmer. As soon as you remove the chemicals from your system, your skimmer will calm down. I hope this helps. Dan

09/04/2012, 07:27 PM	#7
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Did the coral and water have any of the Revive or another brand of medication for dipping corals?

09/04/2012, 07:48 PM	#8
gottalikesharks Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 182	If it is still doing it, or does it again, just put a piece of hose on the overflow that is long enough to reach down to the little opening and just let it overflow back into there. I had the same thing happen to me when I started a new DIY refugium, it lasted a couple of days and then it was back to normal.

09/08/2012, 10:02 PM	#10
Fish Junction Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Hilliard OH USA Posts: 108	Sounds like water conditioner, I have seen stores put a squirt of Stress Coat or something similar when bagging corals and fish, or they could be using them in their systems for dechlor. Most stress coat type dechlorinators have aloe in them.