Protein skimmer overflowed overnight

Hey guys somehow my protein skimmer cup overflowed over night. I checked it last night at about 1030 and it was find. I checked it this morning at about 7 and the cup was overflowing, not fast but overflowing...it was all wet. The dark junk was still on the bottom of the cup. The water had a slight tint to it. I emptied the cup and readjusted the bubbles...is this going to be an issue? Did some organics leak back into my tank?!

 

By the way it is a Coralife Super Skimmer 125.

-Brett

 

I've had the same problem with a Coralife 65. It skimmed wetter and wetter over time. I think the return filter sponge gets clogged and slows the flow. Any back up of flow seems to make the skimmer run wetter.

A fluctuating water level can also effect how wet or dry it skims.

 

I've had this issue with my old Superskimmer too, and I didn't use the bubble-diffusing sponge. Perhaps this unit is just more sucesseptible to this one type of failure. I'm not sure. Perhaps some others will ring in.

 

I've had the same problem with my reef octopus. It usually happens after feeding phytofeast. What kind of corals do you have and do you feed them anything designed for filter feeders?


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exactly what happens, either ditch the sponge, or clean it weekly.

When I had the 220G, I didnt use the sponge- it is only there to break up bubbles, if you have a well set up sump, you do not need it any way.

Also, if the water level in the sump changes greatly (evaporation), it will do this too. As will most skimmers.

 

I had a 65 years ago, it overflowed a lot, or you would have to set it low enough that it just didn't skim much... This was with or without the bubble trap. I used it in a sump though, but I would never have trusted it as an HOB skimmer.

 

Some organics did leach back into the tank, but you will be fine. Gravity kept the most vile of the organic waste on the bottom of your skimmer, as you said. Remember, the waste was already in your tank before you skimmed it and you still captured the worst of it. It happens to me from time to time as well, with no ill effects.

 

Thanks for all your help...Hopefully this won't happen. My sump level stays consistant as that is where I have ATO...also, I fed PE Mysis last night when I got home, could that have anything to do with it? I've fed that numerous times before with no issue..Thanks.

 

Check to see if the air intake is clogged with salt creep.