Protein Skimmer issues

[amc23]

I have an AP701 Deltec skimmer and I have had all kinds of trouble finding the proper levels for inflow, outflow, and air intake--for days there won't be any skimmate and then all of a sudden, overflow. I have been trying to make very small adjustments recently to find a perfect level, but ran into a new frustrating repeating issue.

When I turn all of the pumps back on after a feeding, I immediately get 2-3 inches of water pour into the collection cup. I feed twice a day, which means i now have to empty the collection cup every day and it makes it impossible to find the correct adjustments for the skimmer. Any thoughts on why this may be happening? It all started one day after I floated several new purchases in the tank, which perhaps displaced too much water into the overflow and sump?

Alex

[guppychao]

i also have the same skimmer. thats odd, once you get it set you shouldnt have to adjust it.

 

any reason you turn off the skimmer for feeding?

 

i have my air intake at the full to 1:00 position, and adjust the water output. what to do you use for the feed pump? if gravity feed that may be your issue.

[amc23]

It is a gravity feed, which is why I think the balance of water in the aquarium vs. sump vs. overflow might change the intensity of the flow coming down after the pumps have been stopped. All of my pumps and the skimmer are on the same powerstrip and i turn them all off by turning off the powerstrip so the food doesn't get sucked up (also to get a break from the sound, which is pretty loud). I never had this problem until a week ago and am pretty baffled.

Alex

[guppychao]

i would stop gravity feeding the skimmer, if you contact deltec they will state that its better to have a constant flow from a pump. i believe you want max 250 gal per hour pump, i use a mag 2.

 

 

not sure why it just started happen though. good luck

[dandy7200]

When you turn the skimmer pump off all of the proteins that have been collecting in the foam head drop back into the skimmer body. When you turn the skimmer pump back on with the return pump then all of those proteins cling to the foam inside the skimmer and try to rapidly escape. It is just like throwing a few ounces of skimmate into the skimmer, it will overflow every time. I have found that if you turn your return pump off but not your skimmer pump, the head will usually keep some structure all the way down in the skimmer body, when the return pump comes back on the overflow is much less. Another option would be to let the return pump come back on and then have the skimmer pump come back on a few minutes later and thus letting the old water be flushed from the skimmer body. HTH

[amc23]

I will try that this week, thanks for the advice!

Alex