Skimmer help

dforlenza · 12/18/2015, 08:41 PM

Hi all,
I have an Eshopps PSK-75 skimmer in my (Eshopps) sump. The current setup has been running quite well for several months now. A few days ago I was doing some cleaning / maintenance in the tank, changed out some water, cleaned the skimmer cup; all was well. The next day I changed the filter sock, and played with the chaeto in the refugium section of the sump. I started hearing bubbling and spillage, The skimmer cup was overflowing (it was not overflowing when I started)

The skimmer has been overflowing for 3 days now... I adjusted the tube on the side slightly at first and gave it some time. I adjusted it more and check the next day. 3 days later I have taken the skimmer out, cleaned it, unplugged / re-plugged. The water level has been constant in this section of the sump. The skimmer starts bubbling over in about 10 seconds, and continues to over flow. The adjustment tube has been turned to allow max outflow from the bottom of it (where it would normally cause minimum bubbles in the neck, causing the cup to fill the slowest if at all), and it still overflows.

I don't know what else to do.... any suggestions? Thanks.

slief · 12/19/2015, 10:54 AM

When you cleaned the pump, did you take it apart and clean the impeller and insides? The condition you are describing (assuming the sump level didn't change) is generally caused be one of a few things.

Something in the water. You mentioned filter socks. If this was a newly washed sock, could it have been washed with soap? If it was a brand new sock, did you wash it before putting it in the tank? You never know what's on them when they are new.

Something like a snail or debris inside the pump. It's important to clean the pump inside and out. Taking it completely apart and soaking the block and impeller in vinegar and giving it a good scrub and rinse to clean it up like new is a something that should be done every few months. Debris inside the pump will impact the pumps ability to draw air which can cause the water level inside the skimmer to rise and cause it to overflow into the collection cup.

Salt Creep in the Venturi line where the airline tubing connects to the pump. This is a common occurance. Salt builds up in the connection where the Venturi tubing connects to the pump. It dries in there reducing the amount of air that can get into the pump. When this happens, the air is displace by water and the water level in the skimmer will raise causing overflows.

Those are the first few things I would change check..

dforlenza · 12/20/2015, 08:46 PM

Thank you slief... I took the pump off the housing, took off the pieces I could easily get off and cleaned it out better; twice after reading your response. There seemed to be some buildup in the end of the air intake tube, but not enough to fully block it. I left it unplugged for a while, than put everything back together. It now seems to be working within the realm of normalcy. However it is still adjusted to where the skimmer cup should fill the slowest if at all, and it is still filling faster with slightly more water skimmate than I was getting before. Even though It was adjusted to push more watery up into the cup before.

My plan is to give it a few days and keep an eye on it. I will take the pump off again and clean everything out if it does not get better.

Percula9 · 12/22/2015, 07:58 PM

Block the air hole at the top of the adjustment tube.This should fix the problem.

12/18/2015, 08:41 PM	#1
dforlenza Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Mattituck (Long Island), NY Posts: 38	Skimmer help Hi all, I have an Eshopps PSK-75 skimmer in my (Eshopps) sump. The current setup has been running quite well for several months now. A few days ago I was doing some cleaning / maintenance in the tank, changed out some water, cleaned the skimmer cup; all was well. The next day I changed the filter sock, and played with the chaeto in the refugium section of the sump. I started hearing bubbling and spillage, The skimmer cup was overflowing (it was not overflowing when I started) The skimmer has been overflowing for 3 days now... I adjusted the tube on the side slightly at first and gave it some time. I adjusted it more and check the next day. 3 days later I have taken the skimmer out, cleaned it, unplugged / re-plugged. The water level has been constant in this section of the sump. The skimmer starts bubbling over in about 10 seconds, and continues to over flow. The adjustment tube has been turned to allow max outflow from the bottom of it (where it would normally cause minimum bubbles in the neck, causing the cup to fill the slowest if at all), and it still overflows. I don't know what else to do.... any suggestions? Thanks. __________________ If someone wrote a book about your life, would anyone want to read it? Current Tank Info: 55 gallon fowlr tank, 14 gallon Biocube.

12/19/2015, 10:54 AM	#2
slief RC Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 14,173	When you cleaned the pump, did you take it apart and clean the impeller and insides? The condition you are describing (assuming the sump level didn't change) is generally caused be one of a few things. Something in the water. You mentioned filter socks. If this was a newly washed sock, could it have been washed with soap? If it was a brand new sock, did you wash it before putting it in the tank? You never know what's on them when they are new. Something like a snail or debris inside the pump. It's important to clean the pump inside and out. Taking it completely apart and soaking the block and impeller in vinegar and giving it a good scrub and rinse to clean it up like new is a something that should be done every few months. Debris inside the pump will impact the pumps ability to draw air which can cause the water level inside the skimmer to rise and cause it to overflow into the collection cup. Salt Creep in the Venturi line where the airline tubing connects to the pump. This is a common occurance. Salt builds up in the connection where the Venturi tubing connects to the pump. It dries in there reducing the amount of air that can get into the pump. When this happens, the air is displace by water and the water level in the skimmer will raise causing overflows. Those are the first few things I would change check.. __________________ 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

12/20/2015, 08:46 PM	#3
dforlenza Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Mattituck (Long Island), NY Posts: 38	Thank you slief... I took the pump off the housing, took off the pieces I could easily get off and cleaned it out better; twice after reading your response. There seemed to be some buildup in the end of the air intake tube, but not enough to fully block it. I left it unplugged for a while, than put everything back together. It now seems to be working within the realm of normalcy. However it is still adjusted to where the skimmer cup should fill the slowest if at all, and it is still filling faster with slightly more water skimmate than I was getting before. Even though It was adjusted to push more watery up into the cup before. My plan is to give it a few days and keep an eye on it. I will take the pump off again and clean everything out if it does not get better. __________________ If someone wrote a book about your life, would anyone want to read it? Current Tank Info: 55 gallon fowlr tank, 14 gallon Biocube.

12/22/2015, 07:58 PM	#4
Percula9 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orange County CA Posts: 3,819	Block the air hole at the top of the adjustment tube.This should fix the problem.