Skimmer overflowing and micro bubble

HiImSean · 09/07/2014, 09:27 AM

Last weekend I turned everything off to mount some frags, superglue gel and epoxy. I left the skimmer, Reef Octopus SRO2000 int, off for a few hours but afterwards it was overflowing like crazy and producing micro bubbles. I ran it off and on throughout the week and it still did the same thing. YesterdayI took it apart and gave it a good vinegar bath. Still overflowing and micro bubbles. I assume it's overflowing now because I cleaned it out but why the micro bubbles? Nothing's clogged, its not a new skimmer, been running for almost a year now. I wouldn't think the epoxy would still be causing issues a week later.

slief · 09/07/2014, 10:11 AM

Did you sumps water level change during your work on the tank?? If they sump level raised, that would certainly cause the issues you are describing.

A couple other thoughts.. Skimmers need time to break back in after being shut off for extended periods of time and or cleaning. Some skimmers are more sensitive to this than others. Many remove their collection cups and let the skimmer overflow for 24 hours or longer so they settle in without the cup overflowing. Others will have the cup drain line go back into the sump during this period. Prior to proper break in, skimmers will produce larger than normal bubbles or an excess of them which can result in micro bubbles outside the skimmer and overflows.

Epoxy will also cause issues so it could be that you haven't gotten the stuff from the Epoxy out of the water. If you can get something under the skimmer like a piece of egg crate and temporarily raise it up a half inch or so, that may solve your issue until the skimmer settles back in. Lowering your sump level will accomplish the same thing. Lastly, if your skimmer has a silencer with a filter in it, clean that out. Also run some hot water through the Venturi line while the skimmer is running to insure there isn't any blockage in it.

HiImSean · 09/07/2014, 12:43 PM

Water level is very constant in the sump, little to no change at all.

It does go through a little "break-in" when it gets cleaned but the micro bubbles is something new. I have a drain in the cup flowing back to the sump so it may steady out.

I've used this epoxy before, JB Water Weld, and it usually takes a day or so for it to stop overflowing. I may try to raise up the skimmer a bit if it keeps up. I'm traveling this week and if I'll try that if it doesn't stop by the time I get back.

r_g · 09/22/2014, 02:10 PM

how did the story end?
I have the same problem with my skimmer

HiImSean · 09/22/2014, 04:07 PM

It ended up resolving itself. I put a tube to drain the cup back into the sump. Went away for work for 3 or 4 days and when I came home it was back to normal.

09/07/2014, 09:27 AM	#1
HiImSean Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Acworth, GA Posts: 834	Skimmer overflowing and micro bubble Last weekend I turned everything off to mount some frags, superglue gel and epoxy. I left the skimmer, Reef Octopus SRO2000 int, off for a few hours but afterwards it was overflowing like crazy and producing micro bubbles. I ran it off and on throughout the week and it still did the same thing. YesterdayI took it apart and gave it a good vinegar bath. Still overflowing and micro bubbles. I assume it's overflowing now because I cleaned it out but why the micro bubbles? Nothing's clogged, its not a new skimmer, been running for almost a year now. I wouldn't think the epoxy would still be causing issues a week later.

09/07/2014, 10:11 AM	#2
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	Did you sumps water level change during your work on the tank?? If they sump level raised, that would certainly cause the issues you are describing. A couple other thoughts.. Skimmers need time to break back in after being shut off for extended periods of time and or cleaning. Some skimmers are more sensitive to this than others. Many remove their collection cups and let the skimmer overflow for 24 hours or longer so they settle in without the cup overflowing. Others will have the cup drain line go back into the sump during this period. Prior to proper break in, skimmers will produce larger than normal bubbles or an excess of them which can result in micro bubbles outside the skimmer and overflows. Epoxy will also cause issues so it could be that you haven't gotten the stuff from the Epoxy out of the water. If you can get something under the skimmer like a piece of egg crate and temporarily raise it up a half inch or so, that may solve your issue until the skimmer settles back in. Lowering your sump level will accomplish the same thing. Lastly, if your skimmer has a silencer with a filter in it, clean that out. Also run some hot water through the Venturi line while the skimmer is running to insure there isn't any blockage in it. __________________ 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

09/07/2014, 12:43 PM	#3
HiImSean Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Acworth, GA Posts: 834	Water level is very constant in the sump, little to no change at all. It does go through a little "break-in" when it gets cleaned but the micro bubbles is something new. I have a drain in the cup flowing back to the sump so it may steady out. I've used this epoxy before, JB Water Weld, and it usually takes a day or so for it to stop overflowing. I may try to raise up the skimmer a bit if it keeps up. I'm traveling this week and if I'll try that if it doesn't stop by the time I get back.

09/22/2014, 02:10 PM	#4
r_g Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 43	how did the story end? I have the same problem with my skimmer

09/22/2014, 04:07 PM	#5
HiImSean Registered Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Acworth, GA Posts: 834	It ended up resolving itself. I put a tube to drain the cup back into the sump. Went away for work for 3 or 4 days and when I came home it was back to normal.