In-sump skimmer overflows with filter pump restart

With new tank setup (Marineland Deep Dimension 48x36x27, Marineland Model 4 sump filter, Marine Pro 300 skimmer in sump), I have a problem when restarting filter pumps & skimmer. When Maxi-Jet 5500 filter pumps and in-sump skimmer restart, water immediatrely "back-fills" into skimmer as pumps begin to recirculate water from sump to tank. During this initial start-up, the skimmer fills completely with water and overflows up through collection cup making quite a mess.

With power failures to be expected, it appears that each time all pumps restart, my skimmer will overflow and spill water everywhere. I'm wondering if others have seen this before? Right now, I'm working out all-the-kinks before adding salt, substrate rock, fish to new setup. Have 200 RO gallons in tank & questioning what is wrong with this picture.

Any help / advice would be appreciated.

 

It has nothing to do with the return pump. If you filled your sump normally up to the level it is with the return pump off, the skimmer would overflow then too. It is flooded and that mean less head pressure and when the skimmer pump starts it put out a crap load more water. The skimmer is set to get rid of less water and it overflows.

and no...there is no way around it. Everytime the power goes out this will happen. I have a controller, and I can squence my restart on a loss of power. My skimmer comes on 5 minures after the power comes back to prevent this.

 

Thanks for sharing your solution. I did notice that after pump restart (with skimmer unplugged), I could safely restart skimmer again without flooding issues.

Your controller set to delay skimmer restart sounds like ideal fix. Many kudos to you for such an elegant solution.

Could you recommend what controller to purchase? Is this something that needs to be built (ie: electronic hooby kit) or commeriially available & ready to go ?

thanks, gfd

 

You will have to do some research on controllers. The most common are Neptune and Reek Keeper. I have a Neptune AC Jr. Their most basic, but it does everything I need. The brain box run their power strips. Anything that can be turned on and off can be controlled. But they get very sophisticated to include web access and e-mail alerts. ijust program in a line that tells the skimmer to come on 5 minutes after power 0000.

they also have probes to measure PH, temp, orp...

 

Powerman - I would really appreciate your sharing the programming sequence to delay the start after power on.

Thanks!! - in advance.