Reef octopus skimmer overflowing

[ArrowCrab]

I've got a reef octopus 100 HOB skimmer thats about 3 or 4 years old at this point. The pump itself seems to be working fine but the water level in the skimmer tank constantly rises dangerously high, well above the max fill line. It rises so high that it flows out the hole near the top of middle divider of the skimmer tank which splits the tank into the intake section where the collection cup sits and the section with the outtake pipe. The skimmer tank has overflowed twice onto the floor in the last month.

I've tried running the pump in vinegar to work out any clogs but it doesn't help, and I can't see any blockages in the pipes when looking through them. As far as I can tell nothing is blocking the air intake either.

I'm not sure what else to try, the skimmer has only started acting up like this recently. Is it just nearing the end of its lifespan or is there something else I should be checking?

[rffanat1c]

My eshopps skimmer likes to overflow when the filter on the exit/return side gets dirty. I just decided to put the hose that comes off the overflow cup right back into the tank. If it overflows at least it's not on the floor.


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[LuvMyBlenny]

1. the sponges on the return are clogged
2. a combination of an older pump and too long return prevents proper draining

[ArrowCrab]

rffanat1c, there's no way as far as I can tell to do that with the reef octopus. The skimmer tank is just an open air box.

LuvMyBlenny, I did clean the sponges but it hasn't helped the problem at all. If you say the pump is getting too old, do you know what the lifetimes on these things are? Afraid I lost the manual after moving.