Foaming in sump & skimmer for months!

pan_tsu? · 08/20/2017, 02:53 PM

Hey all. I'm just getting back into the hobby after a 10 year hiatus and set up a 90 gallon that I'm just beginning to add corals to. It's been up and running for 7 months, conditions and levels are great, and I can't seem to get past a lot of microbubbles/foam in my sump and when I try to run my skimmer, it just overflows with "clean" bubbles, so I've pulled the drain plug to let water escape. I've read a lot on reasons for bubbles like these, including the use of conditioners, new filters/equipment, need for break-in of pipes and skimmer, etc. So, I'm at a loss.

Notes:
- These bubbles do not exist in the overflow.
- I let my skimmer run for almost 2 weeks with no change
- I've played with the skimmer flow and even opened up fully, it still fills the entire cup with water and foam.
- I do use a filter sock in hopes of containing some of these, but it overflows with foam as well, even if they have been washed or used for a week.
- Exit piping is at an angle coming from the overflow and sits just above the level of the sump. I've filled up the sump to submerge the end of the pipe, but this doesn't seem to have an effect.

Little info on the tank:
90 gallon glass, 2 in. sandbed, 120 lbs rock (only about 30lbs live), sump, corner overflow, Reef Octopus Classic internal skimmer.

Tank has been fallow for 5 weeks because of Ich, but still have inverts being fed daily. 5 small fish in a separate QT tank. This hasn't made a difference with the bubbles.

Early-on, I had used a conditioner when doing water changes, but since learning that it was a potential bubble-creating culprit, I stopped. This was about 4 months ago, so I'm finding it hard to believe this would still be the issue, but who knows. Maybe?

Before adding the skimmer, I thought maybe air was getting into the plumbing that leads to the sump, but the fact that this doesn't let up with the skimmer even after letting it run for an extended period of time, I question if that's the case.

So.... guess I'm just wondering if anyone has ever had an issue like this? Could the conditioner have coated the plumbing and skimmer and isn't dissipating? I was guessing with water changes, this would fade over time or just dissipate.

I appreciate any feedback!

mcgyvr · 08/20/2017, 04:18 PM

raise the skimmer higher than its rated water level till you can get it running without crazy overflowing.. let that run for a week or so.. attempt to achieve 1 cup fill of skimmate per day that you remove/dump..
See how that does and if the skimmer isn't producing as much then lower it down again and repeat as needed till all is good again..

Wouldn't be a bad idea to remove it first though and give it a quick vinegar/water cleaning..

pan_tsu? · 08/20/2017, 05:21 PM

Ok, think I'm with you here. You're saying that it would help to remove any residue or proteins in the system that could be causing this to occur? Makes sense. I'll give it a good cleaning and give this a try. Thanks!

pan_tsu? · 09/28/2017, 05:17 PM

Just wanted to follow up on this thread and say that this worked perfectly. Thanks @mcgyvr for the tip! I let it run for about 2.5 weeks at an elevated position but had to slow the flow of the skimmer down to the minimum to get the water level right. I started collecting plenty of skimmate over that time and lowered it back to the base of the sump yesterday. All is well, microbubbles in the tank are essentially non-existent, tank is crystal clear and I continue to collect the gunk.

Much appreciated!

mcgyvr · 09/28/2017, 05:32 PM

You are welcome... Glad it worked for you..
Skimmers can be a bit finicky at times..

08/20/2017, 02:53 PM	#1
pan_tsu? Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 306	Foaming in sump & skimmer for months! Hey all. I'm just getting back into the hobby after a 10 year hiatus and set up a 90 gallon that I'm just beginning to add corals to. It's been up and running for 7 months, conditions and levels are great, and I can't seem to get past a lot of microbubbles/foam in my sump and when I try to run my skimmer, it just overflows with "clean" bubbles, so I've pulled the drain plug to let water escape. I've read a lot on reasons for bubbles like these, including the use of conditioners, new filters/equipment, need for break-in of pipes and skimmer, etc. So, I'm at a loss. Notes: - These bubbles do not exist in the overflow. - I let my skimmer run for almost 2 weeks with no change - I've played with the skimmer flow and even opened up fully, it still fills the entire cup with water and foam. - I do use a filter sock in hopes of containing some of these, but it overflows with foam as well, even if they have been washed or used for a week. - Exit piping is at an angle coming from the overflow and sits just above the level of the sump. I've filled up the sump to submerge the end of the pipe, but this doesn't seem to have an effect. Little info on the tank: 90 gallon glass, 2 in. sandbed, 120 lbs rock (only about 30lbs live), sump, corner overflow, Reef Octopus Classic internal skimmer. Tank has been fallow for 5 weeks because of Ich, but still have inverts being fed daily. 5 small fish in a separate QT tank. This hasn't made a difference with the bubbles. Early-on, I had used a conditioner when doing water changes, but since learning that it was a potential bubble-creating culprit, I stopped. This was about 4 months ago, so I'm finding it hard to believe this would still be the issue, but who knows. Maybe? Before adding the skimmer, I thought maybe air was getting into the plumbing that leads to the sump, but the fact that this doesn't let up with the skimmer even after letting it run for an extended period of time, I question if that's the case. So.... guess I'm just wondering if anyone has ever had an issue like this? Could the conditioner have coated the plumbing and skimmer and isn't dissipating? I was guessing with water changes, this would fade over time or just dissipate. I appreciate any feedback! __________________ -Derek Current Tank Info: 90 gal. AGA RR, 30 gal sump, Dual LED, LPS, Softies, Reef-Safe Fish

08/20/2017, 04:18 PM	#2
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	raise the skimmer higher than its rated water level till you can get it running without crazy overflowing.. let that run for a week or so.. attempt to achieve 1 cup fill of skimmate per day that you remove/dump.. See how that does and if the skimmer isn't producing as much then lower it down again and repeat as needed till all is good again.. Wouldn't be a bad idea to remove it first though and give it a quick vinegar/water cleaning.. __________________ Who me?

08/20/2017, 05:21 PM	#3
pan_tsu? Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 306	Ok, think I'm with you here. You're saying that it would help to remove any residue or proteins in the system that could be causing this to occur? Makes sense. I'll give it a good cleaning and give this a try. Thanks! __________________ -Derek Current Tank Info: 90 gal. AGA RR, 30 gal sump, Dual LED, LPS, Softies, Reef-Safe Fish

09/28/2017, 05:17 PM	#4
pan_tsu? Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Northern Colorado Posts: 306	Just wanted to follow up on this thread and say that this worked perfectly. Thanks @mcgyvr for the tip! I let it run for about 2.5 weeks at an elevated position but had to slow the flow of the skimmer down to the minimum to get the water level right. I started collecting plenty of skimmate over that time and lowered it back to the base of the sump yesterday. All is well, microbubbles in the tank are essentially non-existent, tank is crystal clear and I continue to collect the gunk. Much appreciated! __________________ -Derek Current Tank Info: 90 gal. AGA RR, 30 gal sump, Dual LED, LPS, Softies, Reef-Safe Fish

09/28/2017, 05:32 PM	#5
mcgyvr Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: North Carolina Posts: 20,050	You are welcome... Glad it worked for you.. Skimmers can be a bit finicky at times.. __________________ Who me?