Coralife 125 Skimmer

This setup has been the same for 7 months with no issues. The last month or so, I've been having a great amount of issues with this particular skimmer. It began with producing and sending way too many micro-bubbles into the DT (which persist). Then, it was producing so many bubbles it turned into a foam layer on top of the water and overflowing out the collection cup (most likely a result of an additive). Lastly, the needle will be set at the lowest point for dry skimming and before I know it, it's filled the 2 gallon bottle that I have setup to drain into and filling the collection cup in a very short period. I've noticed the water level in the skimmer occasionally fluctuate, up and down. I believe that can be a result of a dirty hose? All listed issues still persist and I've had the skimmer off for the last 24 hours to completely remove it and pull some maintenance. It's currently mounted outside the sump. I hear more success with it sitting inside and considering doing so. Any experience with this and clues as to what to attempt to cure these issues is greatly appreciated. I have a few solutions in mind, but would like the opinions of others.

Let me know if the diagnosis would be easier with photos.

 

Do you dose? normally skimmers will do that if there is additives in the water..They will pretty much freak out and overfill.

And about the bubbles in the DT, is there a hole in the tube? mine had a hole in the tube and until i figure out that there was, bubbles would not stop going into the DT..

 

Hmm. I'll have a look tonight.

 

Research the Gate Valve Mod on the Coralife skimmer and it will help tremendously with the water fluctuation level. That red knob sucks on them.
Get a quart of vinegar and a storage tote/container. Fill it with enough salt water to make the skimmer run. Put the entire skimmer inside the tote and set it to run wet and let it run 24 hours (thorough cleaning). If its additives thats causing it, cleaning it will help and can't hurt.
After cleaning, check the skimmer on the tank and see if it solved it.

With the bubbles, are you using the return box that comes with the CSS skimmers? Just a plastic box that hangs in the tank with a foam type filter in it that is designed to kill the air bubbles.

 

I bought that one and have it sitting on the outsie of my sump. Its working great. If the water level flucuates it can freak. Mine did when I had to compensate for the water it took in and I had to replace it. Now that is been runnng for almost 12 hrs its been working like a dream and pulling nasty green/yellow crap.