Is it normal for a skimmer to go crazy after a water change?

mneidin · 06/11/2007, 11:54 AM

Title says it all. Thanks for looking/helping.

sammyfish · 06/11/2007, 12:04 PM

Yes. IME skimmers can go crazy with any change in the water condition, including water changes.

jdieck · 06/11/2007, 12:05 PM

Depending on the salt mix and the buffers they are using, most will drive them crazy. Some more than others.

Crusty Old Shellback · 06/11/2007, 12:08 PM

Not unless something was added in that shouldn't be there.

Every time I do a water change, my skimmer production actually decreases. That's due to the fact that I have just removed a bunch of the polutants that the skimmer is designed to take out.

DSMpunk · 06/11/2007, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by blown63chevy
Not unless something was added in that shouldn't be there.

Every time I do a water change, my skimmer production actually decreases. That's due to the fact that I have just removed a bunch of the polutants that the skimmer is designed to take out.

I was going to say the same thing. Whenever I do a water change, it usually kills my foam.

bgiles11 · 06/11/2007, 12:38 PM

Well it depends on the brand of skimmer. My coralife will change depending on water level, so that is a factor. Also if during a water change the substrate is agitated by poring water, then it could go nutz. If you use TAP WATER it definitely will. Hope this helps

Crusty Old Shellback · 06/11/2007, 12:41 PM

I stir up my sand bed while changing water. I have two different types of skimmers on my two tanks, 1 euro reef and 1 home made. I do 50% water changes and use NSW when I do them. My foam production will always recede for about a day when I do a water change for the reasons state dearlier.

JRod · 06/11/2007, 01:05 PM

Understand, the skimmer will have a tendency to go crazy when something is added.

Place your arm in the tank and the oils on your arm and any residue you may have in your hand will be deposited in the water. The oils on your body trigger the skimmer to do its job. This is a reason to use a probe or something other than your arm to place things in and out of the tank.

DarthBaiter · 06/11/2007, 01:12 PM

Most salts have conditioners in it that causes the skimmers to nuts with bubble overload.

RichConley · 06/11/2007, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by blown63chevy
I stir up my sand bed while changing water. I have two different types of skimmers on my two tanks, 1 euro reef and 1 home made. I do 50% water changes and use NSW when I do them. My foam production will always recede for about a day when I do a water change for the reasons state dearlier.

Stirring up your sand is probably whats making yuor foam head die.

I've never done a water change and not had the skimmer flare up a bit.

RichConley · 06/11/2007, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JRod
Understand, the skimmer will have a tendency to go crazy when something is added.

Place your arm in the tank and the oils on your arm and any residue you may have in your hand will be deposited in the water. The oils on your body trigger the skimmer to do its job. This is a reason to use a probe or something other than your arm to place things in and out of the tank.

The oils from your body actually keep the skimmer from doing its job, not "trigger the skimmer to do its job". Oils pop bubbles.

Randy's article on skimming is a great read.

Crusty Old Shellback · 06/11/2007, 02:53 PM

Rich, even if I don't stir up my sand bed, the skimmer STILL reduces it's foam production for about a day.

I usually stir up the bed in my smaller tank but I can't reach it in my bigger tank.

jdieck · 06/11/2007, 03:40 PM

blown:

It might be that you are using NSW?
Artificial salt mixes contain buffers and anticaking agents that will affect bubble production and others contain water conditioners that in the most part will promot it.
Salts containing buffers gased on Calcium hydroxide, stronium hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide will tend to increase the bubble production, others containing buffers like carbonates and bicarbonates will tend to diminish it. certain anticaking agents like clay will also promote some of it.
The short term effect on the amount of bubbles really depends on the composition and also on how long the new water has been allowed to stabilize and how much aeration has been applied to it.

Goodwood · 06/11/2007, 03:55 PM

Water conditioner will make a skimmer go nuts.

Christoph · 11/06/2016, 04:17 PM

I have an AquaC EV180 skimmer and I use Red Sea Coral Pro salt.I do not know if this salt has additives in it which will make my skimmer go nuts, but I cannot even have my skimmer on for at least 4 to 5 days after a wc. With my gate valve opened all the way it still overflows within seconds. The one thing that is different is my RO unit. I'm not sure if I can mention name brands on here. I don't want to speak badly about any company, but I need to know.....Has anyone ever had a similar experience? i.e seen a dramatic change in your skimmer due to a different RO unit? Thanks to all who have anything to say.

joshky · 11/06/2016, 04:24 PM

I have never had this issue using reef crystals/aquamaxx cones co-2.

chopper320 · 11/06/2016, 08:20 PM

Do you turn off your return pump, causing the water level in your sump to rise? If this is the case, it will cause your skimmer to overflow until the water level in the sump levels out.

homer1475 · 11/07/2016, 05:34 AM

Using IO/RC I have never had my skimmer go nuts after a plain old WC. Now if I stir up the sandbed, or scrub some algae off the rocks, then it will go haywire for a few hours.

chrisfont23 · 11/07/2016, 08:17 AM

I haven't ever had this happen either. Are you sure you did not use a bucket or something to deliver the water to the tank that may have been tainted in some form?

d-man · 11/07/2016, 02:36 PM

Tbh it has happened to me with every skimmer except my current one. I have used SWC, reef octopus, bubble magus, Cpr, and ETss. They all would go crazyevey time, and I was using and currently use NAtural SeA water.

Since I have gotten my BK Ext300 not once has it gone crazy. I clean the cup completely with each water change as well. And it doesn't skip a beat. Was a lil finicky dialing in at first, but easily now a set it and forget it.

potatocouch · 11/07/2016, 07:38 PM

What water? tap water or RODI water?
drinking water? grey water? distilled water?

06/11/2007, 11:54 AM	#1
mneidin Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 19	Is it normal for a skimmer to go crazy after a water change? Title says it all. Thanks for looking/helping.

06/11/2007, 12:04 PM	#2
sammyfish Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: In the back, with the ladies Posts: 77	Yes. IME skimmers can go crazy with any change in the water condition, including water changes. __________________ The night time is the right time Don’t sweat the petty stuff, pet the sweaty stuff

06/11/2007, 12:05 PM	#3
jdieck Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Maumee, OH Posts: 15,673	Depending on the salt mix and the buffers they are using, most will drive them crazy. Some more than others. __________________ Did I write what I wrote? What the heck am I talking about! Well..... Nevermind. Current Tank Info: 225 gal reef, DSB, 40 g sump w/ LRT100 return, 37 g pre-sump, 3 MH 250 W 15K, 4 96 W PC dual actinic,ETS 1500 Skim.w/LRT70, 20 lb Ca R., 40 W UV, 1/3 HP chiller, two 350 W Htrs, Neptune II Cont., 330 P LR/ 330 P LS. 55 gal Refugium

06/11/2007, 12:08 PM	#4
Crusty Old Shellback MASVC OG Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Home of the FREE, Thanks to the BRAVE! Posts: 5,089	Not unless something was added in that shouldn't be there. Every time I do a water change, my skimmer production actually decreases. That's due to the fact that I have just removed a bunch of the polutants that the skimmer is designed to take out. __________________ Have you THANKED a Veteran lately for the freedoms you take for granted each day? Best quote ever! "This is a hobby for God sakes and so many people get so uptite. A "hobby" so it should be fun and not a cause to worry or go broke." Paul B Current Tank Info: Tankless for a while. RIP my 8+ yr old pair of Naso tangs, 4 + yr old Moorish Idol

06/11/2007, 12:41 PM	#7
Crusty Old Shellback MASVC OG Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Home of the FREE, Thanks to the BRAVE! Posts: 5,089	I stir up my sand bed while changing water. I have two different types of skimmers on my two tanks, 1 euro reef and 1 home made. I do 50% water changes and use NSW when I do them. My foam production will always recede for about a day when I do a water change for the reasons state dearlier. __________________ Have you THANKED a Veteran lately for the freedoms you take for granted each day? Best quote ever! "This is a hobby for God sakes and so many people get so uptite. A "hobby" so it should be fun and not a cause to worry or go broke." Paul B Current Tank Info: Tankless for a while. RIP my 8+ yr old pair of Naso tangs, 4 + yr old Moorish Idol

06/11/2007, 12:38 PM	#6
bgiles11 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 220	Well it depends on the brand of skimmer. My coralife will change depending on water level, so that is a factor. Also if during a water change the substrate is agitated by poring water, then it could go nutz. If you use TAP WATER it definitely will. Hope this helps

06/11/2007, 01:05 PM	#8
JRod Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Springfield, NJ Posts: 795	Understand, the skimmer will have a tendency to go crazy when something is added. Place your arm in the tank and the oils on your arm and any residue you may have in your hand will be deposited in the water. The oils on your body trigger the skimmer to do its job. This is a reason to use a probe or something other than your arm to place things in and out of the tank.

06/11/2007, 01:12 PM	#9
DarthBaiter Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 662	Most salts have conditioners in it that causes the skimmers to nuts with bubble overload. __________________ "Fluke, I'm yo faddah, come join me on the DockSIde!" Current Tank Info: 90g reef display 30g sump, 75g display 10g sump, 30g cube display, 12g AP reef, 14g BC reef, and a 75g planted livebearer tank.

06/11/2007, 02:53 PM	#12
Crusty Old Shellback MASVC OG Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Home of the FREE, Thanks to the BRAVE! Posts: 5,089	Rich, even if I don't stir up my sand bed, the skimmer STILL reduces it's foam production for about a day. I usually stir up the bed in my smaller tank but I can't reach it in my bigger tank. __________________ Have you THANKED a Veteran lately for the freedoms you take for granted each day? Best quote ever! "This is a hobby for God sakes and so many people get so uptite. A "hobby" so it should be fun and not a cause to worry or go broke." Paul B Current Tank Info: Tankless for a while. RIP my 8+ yr old pair of Naso tangs, 4 + yr old Moorish Idol

06/11/2007, 03:40 PM	#13
jdieck Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Maumee, OH Posts: 15,673	blown: It might be that you are using NSW? Artificial salt mixes contain buffers and anticaking agents that will affect bubble production and others contain water conditioners that in the most part will promot it. Salts containing buffers gased on Calcium hydroxide, stronium hydroxide and magnesium hydroxide will tend to increase the bubble production, others containing buffers like carbonates and bicarbonates will tend to diminish it. certain anticaking agents like clay will also promote some of it. The short term effect on the amount of bubbles really depends on the composition and also on how long the new water has been allowed to stabilize and how much aeration has been applied to it. __________________ Did I write what I wrote? What the heck am I talking about! Well..... Nevermind. Current Tank Info: 225 gal reef, DSB, 40 g sump w/ LRT100 return, 37 g pre-sump, 3 MH 250 W 15K, 4 96 W PC dual actinic,ETS 1500 Skim.w/LRT70, 20 lb Ca R., 40 W UV, 1/3 HP chiller, two 350 W Htrs, Neptune II Cont., 330 P LR/ 330 P LS. 55 gal Refugium

06/11/2007, 03:55 PM	#14
Goodwood Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Destin, Florida Posts: 700	Water conditioner will make a skimmer go nuts.

11/06/2016, 04:17 PM	#15
Christoph Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Connecticut Posts: 67	Skimmer overload after wc I have an AquaC EV180 skimmer and I use Red Sea Coral Pro salt.I do not know if this salt has additives in it which will make my skimmer go nuts, but I cannot even have my skimmer on for at least 4 to 5 days after a wc. With my gate valve opened all the way it still overflows within seconds. The one thing that is different is my RO unit. I'm not sure if I can mention name brands on here. I don't want to speak badly about any company, but I need to know.....Has anyone ever had a similar experience? i.e seen a dramatic change in your skimmer due to a different RO unit? Thanks to all who have anything to say. __________________ Oceanic 156 brick style DT, Aqua C EV180 skimmer, Current dual actinics with 2x250w Phoenix 14k bulbs. Current Tank Info: Oceanic 156 Brick Style, 14 BioCube

11/06/2016, 04:24 PM	#16
joshky Acros & Wrasses Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Central KY Posts: 2,546	I have never had this issue using reef crystals/aquamaxx cones co-2. __________________ Josh My 80g: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2677031

11/06/2016, 08:20 PM	#17
chopper320 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 626	Do you turn off your return pump, causing the water level in your sump to rise? If this is the case, it will cause your skimmer to overflow until the water level in the sump levels out.

11/07/2016, 05:34 AM	#18
homer1475 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 5,313	Using IO/RC I have never had my skimmer go nuts after a plain old WC. Now if I stir up the sandbed, or scrub some algae off the rocks, then it will go haywire for a few hours. __________________ 80G SCA Build: http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2560256 Originally posted by der_wille_zur_macht: "He's just taking his lunch to work"

11/07/2016, 08:17 AM	#19
chrisfont23 Reef Monster Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Long Island Posts: 1,343	I haven't ever had this happen either. Are you sure you did not use a bucket or something to deliver the water to the tank that may have been tainted in some form?

11/07/2016, 02:36 PM	#20
d-man Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: San Diego, ca Posts: 2,732	Tbh it has happened to me with every skimmer except my current one. I have used SWC, reef octopus, bubble magus, Cpr, and ETss. They all would go crazyevey time, and I was using and currently use NAtural SeA water. Since I have gotten my BK Ext300 not once has it gone crazy. I clean the cup completely with each water change as well. And it doesn't skip a beat. Was a lil finicky dialing in at first, but easily now a set it and forget it.

11/07/2016, 07:38 PM	#21
potatocouch Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 201	What water? tap water or RODI water? drinking water? grey water? distilled water?