skimmer overflow

I have the current 8103 protein skimmer for about 3 weeks it been fine but all of a sudden it will overflow out of the collection cup, not with gunk but with just saltwater, i cleaned the filter part out, also it seem to do this when the level of the water in the sump goes down, so i dunno if it sucks in some air creating this overfow or not, also have see some overflows when adding water to the sump, should i have to turn this off everytime i need to add water, i am in process of getting a RI/DO system with auto shut off where i don't need to add any water by hand any more. any help would be great as always.

 

It sounds like you need to adjust the output tube. I never shut off the skimmer when adding top off.

 

Same here, i just keep water level in sump constant, adjust level in skimmer for desired skimming and let it run......

 

i did adjust it to the desired level, and it will work fine for acouple days, then all of a sudden it will overflow one of ouf say 4 times when i add water, i add water once to two times a days, i am in need of the auto top off system.

 

shut skimmer off, add water to desired amount, let top off mix for a while and then turn skimmer on. Changes in SG can make skimmers go up and down, i think.

 

i'll try it but must be a reason on why this is happening.

 

There is a reason this is happening. It's your break-in period. As others have said, just set the bubble level, and give it a few weeks. It will work itself out. One thing you should keep an eye on is the water level in the sump.

The same thing happened to me, and I had the same reaction. I was sure something was wrong, when nothing was. Over time the skimmer will work itself out. During this break-in period, skimmers are ultra-sensitive. They are especially sensitive to water level fluctuations in the sump. Just do your best to keep the depth of sump consistent, and all will be well in a week or two, or three.

 

If you added medications to the tank, that could cause the skimmer to freak out too.

 

it def happens when the water level is low so i will take sparky's idea, also i'm adding trace elements direct into the sump such as, Kent-Calcium,Coral-vite,Coral Accel, Essential elements, ZooPlex Zooplankton , soon to be adding Strontium and Molybdenum, Superiodine Supplement would those items do anything??

 

I think that by you adding all these Supplements directly into the sump, is affecting your skimmer. I pour straight into the DT. Why are you adding so many? You should read the ingredients of each one and you'll find that your just "overdosing" some supplements and wasting $$$$$$$. Luna