Interesting Skimmer Problem

LefkoNJ · 07/16/2014, 07:11 PM

So I have been running a Trigger Sys Bursa skimmer since day 1, 32 months old. While I have not had issues with this device, lately I have been really unhappy. It is creating a nice skimmate but within a few days it starts to foam outside the collection cup and if i am not careful it drops the very dirty skimmate back into the sump.

I didn't catch the first one which was a nightmare and caused all sorts of problems. Today I caught it early enough but I can't figure out why this is happening. The collection cup drains into a davey jones, which is working, the foam itself just isn't breaking up enough to let the new foam drop down. Interesting issue. Not sure a new skimmer would fix it. I take the collection cup out and clean it regularly (no longer than 2 weeks).

My next move is to remove the skimmer and clean the entire thing, disassemble and put it back together, once again not sure that would help.
Next time I will take a picture just didn't have time today.
any ideas?

Richocet83 · 07/16/2014, 07:18 PM

I recently started carbon dosing and have noticed my skimmer cup needs to be checked/cleaned every 24-48 hours because of the same problem, foam head is too thick and pushes lid off cup and runs over into sump. I've just started checking it when I feed my tank so it's become part of my daily routine.

slief · 07/16/2014, 07:21 PM

It could be as simple as a snail or debris getting into the pump. If not, it's your sump level rising or a reaction from something else. Do you have an ATO? Do you have filter socks and if so, is it happening after changing your socks? If you socks are backing up at the point that you change them, when you replace them, your sump level will rise. Sometimes cleaned filter socks can have an impact on the skimmer as well and cause it to overflow.

LefkoNJ · 07/16/2014, 07:30 PM

I do run biopellets and if I go back and think it first happened when i reloaded them. That could be the cause. I was thinking about trying to clamp the cover of the skimmer down, have to create a way to do that.

Snails are always a possibility, but it isn't from the ATO as I watch that carefully and the filter sock is something i try to only do when i do a water change, which involves completely draining my sump.

Thanks some good ideas.

LefkoNJ · 07/17/2014, 07:43 AM

The plot thickens.... so does the foam.

So this morning i take a look and the skimmer cup is full of foam. I try to flush water through but it doesn't really make a difference as the foam is so thick it just caused it to come out the holes in the cover. Wow never ran into this before time to think of a cleaner solution to this problem.

rounder45 · 07/17/2014, 09:34 AM

Run the skimmer a touch more wet. The wet foam will drain into the cup better. A small tweak to your output should set it straight.

LefkoNJ · 07/17/2014, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rounder45

Run the skimmer a touch more wet. The wet foam will drain into the cup better. A small tweak to your output should set it straight.

Funny i was thinking the same thing. Slight adjustments all day long and it does seem better.

07/16/2014, 07:11 PM	#1
LefkoNJ Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 213	Interesting Skimmer Problem So I have been running a Trigger Sys Bursa skimmer since day 1, 32 months old. While I have not had issues with this device, lately I have been really unhappy. It is creating a nice skimmate but within a few days it starts to foam outside the collection cup and if i am not careful it drops the very dirty skimmate back into the sump. I didn't catch the first one which was a nightmare and caused all sorts of problems. Today I caught it early enough but I can't figure out why this is happening. The collection cup drains into a davey jones, which is working, the foam itself just isn't breaking up enough to let the new foam drop down. Interesting issue. Not sure a new skimmer would fix it. I take the collection cup out and clean it regularly (no longer than 2 weeks). My next move is to remove the skimmer and clean the entire thing, disassemble and put it back together, once again not sure that would help. Next time I will take a picture just didn't have time today. any ideas?

07/16/2014, 07:18 PM	#2
Richocet83 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Dunedin, FL Posts: 402	I recently started carbon dosing and have noticed my skimmer cup needs to be checked/cleaned every 24-48 hours because of the same problem, foam head is too thick and pushes lid off cup and runs over into sump. I've just started checking it when I feed my tank so it's become part of my daily routine. __________________ Life's a garden, dig it! 75gal AGA RR - Mixed Reef 12gal Mr Aqua Planted FW Aquarium 200gal 100% captive raised reef (work tank)

07/16/2014, 07:21 PM	#3
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	It could be as simple as a snail or debris getting into the pump. If not, it's your sump level rising or a reaction from something else. Do you have an ATO? Do you have filter socks and if so, is it happening after changing your socks? If you socks are backing up at the point that you change them, when you replace them, your sump level will rise. Sometimes cleaned filter socks can have an impact on the skimmer as well and cause it to overflow. __________________ 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

07/16/2014, 07:30 PM	#4
LefkoNJ Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 213	I do run biopellets and if I go back and think it first happened when i reloaded them. That could be the cause. I was thinking about trying to clamp the cover of the skimmer down, have to create a way to do that. Snails are always a possibility, but it isn't from the ATO as I watch that carefully and the filter sock is something i try to only do when i do a water change, which involves completely draining my sump. Thanks some good ideas.

07/17/2014, 07:43 AM	#5
LefkoNJ Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 213	The plot thickens.... so does the foam. So this morning i take a look and the skimmer cup is full of foam. I try to flush water through but it doesn't really make a difference as the foam is so thick it just caused it to come out the holes in the cover. Wow never ran into this before time to think of a cleaner solution to this problem.

07/17/2014, 09:34 AM	#6
rounder45 Moved On Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 301	Run the skimmer a touch more wet. The wet foam will drain into the cup better. A small tweak to your output should set it straight.