My collection cup Overfloweth!

So I came home Saturday night after i got off work to find a Coralife 65 super skimmer waiting for me at the door. (it was my bf's and i 3 year anniversary, what a present!) I installed around 2:30 am Sunday.

Now from what i understand, as i'm new to skimming, it needs to break in for 24-72 hours. OK done. No more microbubbles, and less bubbles in main chamber. But i'm still having to drain my collection cup every 15 minutes or so. Why is it still over producing?

And yes i adjusted the flow with the little red knob to the lowest setting, but bubbles are still pouring over the output, and flooding out my collection cup. Is there a way to adjust the pump? Or do i just need some more patience?

 

I too got the SuperSkimmer 65 and mine didn't fully break in for like a week. They tell you to turn the valve just above the pump to half open until it breaks in (i did not do this which is why I think my break in took so long). If the pump is no more than 3" under water and the water level in the skimmer is level with the red lock-ring... I would imagine it is either doing a really good job on your water or maybe you have recently added something to your water that is causing it to foam up so much.

 

Valve just above the pump eh? I'm going to check that out now. And yes everything is level, and nothing new added.

 

It could be the water level you have it in, how deep is it?

 

My water level or where it hangs? My water level is about an inch below the black plastic edging, and the pump is in about 2 1/2-3 inches of water.

 

Didn't see a "valve above the pump". Any help?

 

Sounds like your skimmer is a hang on back type of skimmer. I have an in-sump skimmer that's doing the same thing.

But regardless of the type of skimmer, I learned yesterday that you need to run it for some time to break it in. And if you can wash it with vinegar and actually run water with vinegar through it for about 5 or 6 hrs (even though somebody mentioned 12 hrs, that may be exaggerated) and this should speed up the process. Sound like a curing process to me.

That's all I can say for now. I had mine running since last night at midnight and the foam is getting lower, but there's still a lot to go apparently.

Good luck with yours!

- Mag.

 

Thanks Mag. Good Luck to you too! I have read now that it may take up to a week. I'll give it that and keep tweeking it. Stay tuned.

 

So it's been 4 days now, starting to slow a bit i think. But still bubbles are POURING over the sides, guess my tank was a bit dirtier than i thought. Producing little skinmate,but pulling out some nasty brownish greenish dark gunk.

 

What did you do with the manual? The valve is a ball valve. If you didn't get one with the skimmer it was left out. It is located on the pump itself and the plastic tubing goes from it to the main skimmer body. The manual clearly shows the pump has to be at least 3" down into the display tank water. That's 3" below the actual water line.

In case you have lost the manual, here is the on-line PDF;
http://www.marineandreef.com/v/vspfiles/pdf/super_skimmer.pdf