Crazy Skimmer

Is it just me or does everybodys skimmer go wild and need to be turned down after changing out the filter sock?

 

I keep reading you should not run the skimmer or do a water change until the cycle finishes, I have ran my skimmer from the start just over a week the tank has been cycling, so should I turn my skimmer off and remove the filter sock for a while

 

Yes, there are certain things that will affect the skimmer. One of them for me was changing the sock. I thought maybe traces of soap or something, but soap would destroy the surface tension of the water, and it seems that the surface tension increases which is why the skimmer goes crazy, so I don't really know why.

You don't really need the skimmer removing waste during the cycle, but the extra aeration is good, so you can just let it overflow into the sump if you have one, or turn it off if not. And if you can't stabilize it, then skip the sock.

 

Ok thanks, the skimmer actually works better without the sock, if I decided not to use a sock, is this material good for making a algae scraper eventually

 

When I use a new sock then my skimmer will go bonkers throwing tons of micro bubbles. So if I put a new sock in, I turn skimmer off for a few hours.

 

Will do thanks...

 

Mine did until I began pre-wringing them with di water and then hydrogen peroxide. I do that after I wash them also and since then I haven't had an issue.

 

I make my own filter socks and they will cause the skimmer to go nuts if I don't rinse them out first so that's what I do. I just run warm water on the for a bit, wring them out and do it again. Skimmer is just fine. I don't know what causes it but it is a bit annoying.

 

Mine only does it with brand new socks. I wash with hot water & bleach then bake in sun for a day & hasn't done it since.