jadams7 Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 So the past few days, my protein skimmer has been going crazy and bubbling over the top, leaving a constant flow out of the cup. The runoff is not all that dirty, and I have had this skimmer up and running great for quite a while now. I finally turned it off, after my sump had 5 gallons drained out of it (in a matter of about 2 hours). Why is it doing this, and how can I fix it? My skimmer is a Top Fathom Tf110a. I have not made any changes to the tank outside of adding water every night (which I did before with no problems) and switched to halides (which I think would not create any problems). Any ideas of what to do?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aqua-ed Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 Hmmm...mine did that once because I lowered into further down into my sump and raised it's water level. I, too, lots a lot of water all over. Does it a flow adjustment valve? I had to fine tune that to get it cranking goop and not spilling over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dsoz Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 If there was any soap on your hands when you put them into the tank it would do this. Any new plastic pipe may do this (chemicals that are getting washed away from the pipe). ??? I just have a cheap-o Coralife skimmer, and it works OK most of the time, but it has also been known to fill up and overflow, or the other end of the spectrum, not produce anything for days... These fits are fewer now that it is 6 months old, but they still happen every now and then. dsoz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael7979 Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 This usually happens when some form of soap or even a chlorime remover is added. Have you added a de-chlorinator? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted February 5, 2008 Share Posted February 5, 2008 When did you clean it last? Might pull it apart and make sure nothing is in there blocking the flow or something. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jadams7 Posted February 6, 2008 Author Share Posted February 6, 2008 There are no flow adjustments on the skimmer itself... I think I may have figured out the problem, I added some "RedSlime Control" for the first time a few days ago, and have not done a water change yetDOH! I completely forgot I added it, and as of tomorrow (when I have enough R.O.) I will do a 25% water change and try to turn the skimmer on again. I think the medication is the only thing that would be throwing off my skimmer, seeing as I did not wash my hands any time prior to touching anything, and I have not added any new piping whatsoever in the past 2+ months, just messed with lighting. I also checked the air tube and put a few drops of fresh water down it just in case there was some salt buildup, but I strongly believe it is the medication. Thanks for all the help guys, I will let ya know if it is still acting up after the 25% water change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reefhut Posted February 6, 2008 Share Posted February 6, 2008 FYI...Add some carbon(in a bag) to the sump as well...You'll have to do that to remove the Red Slime control. If you don't, the slime could come back and come back stronger. The slime is a bacteria and the chemical you put in knocks it back a bit.... now.. the slime could come back and if the chemical is still present in your system...the bactria builds a imune system to the Red Slime control. Try to defeat the Red Slime with out useing that stuff. Try useing more current and lower yoour nutreint level by cutting your feeding back and more water changes....It's a slower process but the results are better. Hope that all made sense.(scratch) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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