Can the tank out grow the protein skimmer?

dan9960 · 12-01-2006, 09:25 PM

I've had a Euro-Reef CS6-1 in sump protein skimmer for about 3 years now without any problems until about 2 months ago. At least once a week it will go crazy and fill the collection cup up to overflowing. I've adjusted the riser, replaced the impeller magnet and used the same foods I've always used. Sometimes it does it after I feed, but not always and sometimes it will be overflowing for no reason that I can see. I've tried to narrow it down to a certain food, but it doesn't seem to make any difference. I have added two birdnest corals to the tank, but the protein skimmer was acting up before I got them. Other than that nothing has been added or changed in the tank and I'm doing the same maintenance I always have.
Do I need to get a bigger protein skimmer for my tank or am I missing something that I should check?

Thanks,
Dan

aquaman3680 · 12-01-2006, 10:09 PM

Is it filling up with water, what color is the skimmate? How often does it fill up?

sasquatch · 12-01-2006, 10:13 PM

HI Dan, have you changed the sump water height? 8 to 10 inches is about right, something else to try is listening real carefully to the air intake, is it changing at all like louder and softer?Steve

cheeks69 · 12-02-2006, 01:29 AM

When was the last time you ran it in a water/vinegar solution ? Calcium deposits can destroy the impellar shaft.

theskunk · 12-02-2006, 01:53 AM

we had a similar problem at work today.....you are probably getting a buildup in the air intakes on the pump best fix is a vinigar solution easy fix use a paperclip to clean it out

dan9960 · 12-02-2006, 01:41 PM

I run it through a vinegar/water solution every 3 months. I tried that when it first started acting up. The skimmate that fills the cup, looks like regular tank water. Mainly because it is filling up so fast. The sump water level has been the same as it's always been. I listened to the air intake and it is a pretty constant sound.
So I'm assuming I don't need a bigger skimmer? I just need to figure out why this one is acting weird.

Thanks for the help.

aquaman3680 · 12-02-2006, 01:50 PM

try to adjust how much water is coming into the skimmer. It should not look like tank water. Do you have a gate valve? or no?

mps9506 · 12-02-2006, 11:25 PM

Is it possible the food you are using changed their formula? I know Formula one and Formula 2 and some of the other Ocean Nutrition foods were supposed to change their formulas slightly according to the regional rep I spoke to in Sept.

My ER went crazy whenever I fed cyclopeeze, I just cut the sump pump off.

down and outman · 12-03-2006, 12:34 AM

My Coralife was doing the same thing. Took it out, dismantled it and gave it a complete cleaning. It's doing good now.

dan9960 · 12-06-2006, 01:59 AM

I do use Formula 1, 2 and Prime Reef. The changing of the formula would explain why my skimmer has been acting up, because nothing else has changed. I also feed cyclopeeze, but that doesn't seem to bother the skimmer. I'll try and turn the skimmer off when I feed to see if that helps. I never would of thought of that, thanks mps9506.

Charlie97L · 12-06-2006, 11:16 AM

i'd say it sounds like your water level is set too high, and it's not getting a chance to bubble properly.

i would suggest a full disassembly of all pumps and pieces of the skimmer. you might have blockage somewhere.

also check the gaskets and air lines for leaks.

i doubt it's the food.

onix · 12-06-2006, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan9960

I run it through a vinegar/water solution every 3 months. I tried that when it first started acting up. The skimmate that fills the cup, looks like regular tank water. Mainly because it is filling up so fast. The sump water level has been the same as it's always been. I listened to the air intake and it is a pretty constant sound.
So I'm assuming I don't need a bigger skimmer? I just need to figure out why this one is acting weird.

Thanks for the help.

Hi, I am not an expert but I have the same problems when I used stress coat to remove chlorine. Maybe you are using some products and the skimmer remove it

Disciple882542 · 12-06-2006, 06:19 PM

Do you have any type of bubble diffuser on the output? Sometimes the sponges used a the diffuser will get clogged with detrious and cause the water level to increase inside the unit. Also, have you recently added any new water conditioner or medication? Stress Coat is bad about making skimmers go crazy and some cyano treatments cause the same.

I have an ASM G-3 and had the same type problems you are experiencing and cleaning the sponge worked like a charm.

Good luck and God bless,
Disciple

12-01-2006, 09:25 PM	#1 (permalink)
dan9960 Tunicate Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 21 View Gallery Karma Komment	Can the tank out grow the protein skimmer? I've had a Euro-Reef CS6-1 in sump protein skimmer for about 3 years now without any problems until about 2 months ago. At least once a week it will go crazy and fill the collection cup up to overflowing. I've adjusted the riser, replaced the impeller magnet and used the same foods I've always used. Sometimes it does it after I feed, but not always and sometimes it will be overflowing for no reason that I can see. I've tried to narrow it down to a certain food, but it doesn't seem to make any difference. I have added two birdnest corals to the tank, but the protein skimmer was acting up before I got them. Other than that nothing has been added or changed in the tank and I'm doing the same maintenance I always have. Do I need to get a bigger protein skimmer for my tank or am I missing something that I should check? Thanks, Dan __________________ 48" 72 Gallon Glass Tank 80 lbs. Marshall Island Rock 2x250w HQI 14k Metal Halides 2x110w URI VHO Super Actinics 4" Oolite DSB 20 Gallon Sump Euro-Reef CS6-1 Protein Skimmer Gen-X PXC-40 Return Pump 3 Maxi-Jet 1200s

12-01-2006, 10:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
aquaman3680 Golden Moray Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 2,215 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Can the tank out grow the protein skimmer? Is it filling up with water, what color is the skimmate? How often does it fill up? __________________ Check it out! The 90 gallon Road Trip The Bio-Cube Adventure

12-01-2006, 10:13 PM	#3 (permalink)
sasquatch Brunt of all Jokes~ Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: the very farthest west coast of canada Posts: 8,981 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Can the tank out grow the protein skimmer? HI Dan, have you changed the sump water height? 8 to 10 inches is about right, something else to try is listening real carefully to the air intake, is it changing at all like louder and softer?Steve

12-02-2006, 01:29 AM	#4 (permalink)
cheeks69 Wannabe Guru Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Northeast Posts: 7,386 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Can the tank out grow the protein skimmer? When was the last time you ran it in a water/vinegar solution ? Calcium deposits can destroy the impellar shaft. __________________ Robert My Cube “A spirit is manifest in the laws of the Universe—a spirit vastly superior to that of man, and one in the face of which we with our modest powers must feel humble.” Albert Einstein

12-02-2006, 01:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
theskunk Serpent Star Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Midland, MI Posts: 218 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Can the tank out grow the protein skimmer? we had a similar problem at work today.....you are probably getting a buildup in the air intakes on the pump best fix is a vinigar solution easy fix use a paperclip to clean it out

12-02-2006, 01:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
dan9960 Tunicate Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 21 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Can the tank out grow the protein skimmer? I run it through a vinegar/water solution every 3 months. I tried that when it first started acting up. The skimmate that fills the cup, looks like regular tank water. Mainly because it is filling up so fast. The sump water level has been the same as it's always been. I listened to the air intake and it is a pretty constant sound. So I'm assuming I don't need a bigger skimmer? I just need to figure out why this one is acting weird. Thanks for the help. __________________ 48" 72 Gallon Glass Tank 80 lbs. Marshall Island Rock 2x250w HQI 14k Metal Halides 2x110w URI VHO Super Actinics 4" Oolite DSB 20 Gallon Sump Euro-Reef CS6-1 Protein Skimmer Gen-X PXC-40 Return Pump 3 Maxi-Jet 1200s

12-02-2006, 01:50 PM	#7 (permalink)
aquaman3680 Golden Moray Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 2,215 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Can the tank out grow the protein skimmer? try to adjust how much water is coming into the skimmer. It should not look like tank water. Do you have a gate valve? or no? __________________ Check it out! The 90 gallon Road Trip The Bio-Cube Adventure

12-02-2006, 11:25 PM	#8 (permalink)
mps9506 Totally back Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 8,525 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Can the tank out grow the protein skimmer? Is it possible the food you are using changed their formula? I know Formula one and Formula 2 and some of the other Ocean Nutrition foods were supposed to change their formulas slightly according to the regional rep I spoke to in Sept. My ER went crazy whenever I fed cyclopeeze, I just cut the sump pump off. __________________ Mike Reefkeeping Since '99 Help Build Reefpedia Premium Memberships Available! Support Reef Sanctuary Sponsors

12-03-2006, 12:34 AM	#9 (permalink)
down and outman Fire Coral Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: LaGrange GA Posts: 68 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Can the tank out grow the protein skimmer? My Coralife was doing the same thing. Took it out, dismantled it and gave it a complete cleaning. It's doing good now. __________________ "There you go lad, keep as cool as you can. Face piles of trials with smiles." Moody Blues 90 Gal AGA RR, 50 lbs caribean liverock, a bunch of agrocrete rock, 90# Caribsea Sugar Sand Nova Extreme HO T-5 Phosban reactor 2 Koralia 4's, Mag Drive 7

12-06-2006, 01:59 AM	#10 (permalink)
dan9960 Tunicate Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 21 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Can the tank out grow the protein skimmer? I do use Formula 1, 2 and Prime Reef. The changing of the formula would explain why my skimmer has been acting up, because nothing else has changed. I also feed cyclopeeze, but that doesn't seem to bother the skimmer. I'll try and turn the skimmer off when I feed to see if that helps. I never would of thought of that, thanks mps9506. __________________ 48" 72 Gallon Glass Tank 80 lbs. Marshall Island Rock 2x250w HQI 14k Metal Halides 2x110w URI VHO Super Actinics 4" Oolite DSB 20 Gallon Sump Euro-Reef CS6-1 Protein Skimmer Gen-X PXC-40 Return Pump 3 Maxi-Jet 1200s

12-06-2006, 11:16 AM	#11 (permalink)
Charlie97L Reef Lobster Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: North Bethesda, MD Posts: 1,288 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Can the tank out grow the protein skimmer? i'd say it sounds like your water level is set too high, and it's not getting a chance to bubble properly. i would suggest a full disassembly of all pumps and pieces of the skimmer. you might have blockage somewhere. also check the gaskets and air lines for leaks. i doubt it's the food. __________________ 40 Breeder, 20H Frag Aquactinics T5s, CPR Fuge, Deltec AP600, AC Jr, WavySea

12-06-2006, 06:19 PM	#13 (permalink)
Disciple882542 Tuxedo Urchin Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 280 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Can the tank out grow the protein skimmer? Do you have any type of bubble diffuser on the output? Sometimes the sponges used a the diffuser will get clogged with detrious and cause the water level to increase inside the unit. Also, have you recently added any new water conditioner or medication? Stress Coat is bad about making skimmers go crazy and some cyano treatments cause the same. I have an ASM G-3 and had the same type problems you are experiencing and cleaning the sponge worked like a charm. Good luck and God bless, Disciple

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)