HELP! Protein skimmer making a soaping foam!

[Tracy G]

So I just found out not to use a protein skimmer while putting water treated with Nutrafin Aqua +teated water. Found out post........ So I did a 20% water change using purchased salt water and still getting the same soapy foam rendering my protein skimmer useless. Anyone every had this? How to fix? Do I need to let nature run its coarse? Any help would be great!

[jaddc]

Just leave the skimmer off for a day or two.

[Incredible Corals]

Can you let the skimmate/foam run out in a bucket and basically just do a really wet skim / water change?

 

A lot of skimmers have a drain line on the bottom of the collection cup. Just hook a hose to that and let it fill a 5 gallon bucket.

[Tracy G]

I heard Carbon can help as well? I was not running any and added some so hope that can help.

[jaddc]

Just be patient and try not to do too much. Give it a couple of days and the conditioner will dissipate.

[Coral Hind]

^ I agree, just relax and either turn the skimmer off for a day ro two or adjust the skimmer to skim a little drier by lowering the water level inside the skimmer. Having the skimmer off will not harm anything.

[Tracy G]

^ I agree, just relax and either turn the skimmer off for a day ro two or adjust the skimmer to skim a little drier by lowering the water level inside the skimmer. Having the skimmer off will not harm anything.

 

Thanks for all of the help. I have it 100% turned down and it was still overflowing lol. Im guessing this is why I also have been having issues tuning it because adding water that was evaporated. This was my first real water change because have not really had too till now. Until I get an RO/DI I will buy my water change water and use a simple chlorine remover like ATI's. Tank looks great though.

[Coral Hind]

Where are you buying the water change water from? If it is RO/DI water then you shouldn't need a chlorine remover. Only use a remover if you are using tap water.

[Tracy G]

It was tap water. I changed to buying water after I had the issue to see if it would fix the protein skimmer

[Na-H2O]

I had the same issue and I found out that it was my filter sock..... As soon as I took that guy out my skimmer went back to normal.

[icecool2]

I had the same issue and I found out that it was my filter sock..... As soon as I took that guy out my skimmer went back to normal.

 

I had it happen with a bad batch of filter floss. Drove me nuts for weeks until I figured it out.

 

Like others said, I would just turn the skimmer off for a few days. A lot of additives will make your skimmer go nuts.

[Tracy G]

I had it happen with a bad batch of filter floss. Drove me nuts for weeks until I figured it out.

 

Like others said, I would just turn the skimmer off for a few days. A lot of additives will make your skimmer go nuts.

 

BINGO! Dont know why I did not think of that but changed them out now skimmer is back up working (or it was because how long it was off for). Thank you all for the help!