Skimmer Over Flowing

[goliwala]

I just bought SC Aquariums SCA-301 skimmer and have it setup as instructed. it is in sump sitting in 7 to 8 inch water and working well, it is set to 3 on the dial. The problem occurs when I turn my return pump off, water level rises in sum so do the bubbles in the skimmer over flooding the collection cup. I tried to raise the skimmer up 3 inches higher but it was too high and it didn't skim anything on 3 so i adjusted the dial which causes same thing when I turn the pump off.

most people i read have it in 7 to 8 inch of water. when my return pump is on, water rises another 3-4 inches in the sum causing this problem. has anyone else experienced same and what the solution was.

 

[Zoarder]

Why do you turn your return pump off?

 

[rcreef]

Am thinking he turns of the pump to make water change and he does not have a bypass to keep the water from going back on the return line from the tank.....

I think you need a one way valve on your return line that way water does not go back when you turn of the pump

 

[rcreef]

This is what you need

http://www.google.com/shopping/prod...11L-oAw&lsft=gclid:CMH0icWL7ccCFZRffgodFZkEwQ

 

[goliwala]

I turn the pump off to feed

 

[Zoarder]

Am thinking he turns of the pump to make water change and he does not have a bypass to keep the water from going back on the return line from the tank.....

I think you need a one way valve on your return line that way water does not go back when you turn of the pump

Well if he does, then he turn off the skimmer first then the return pump, simple... so not sure whats the issue I guess....

 

[Zoarder]

I turn the pump off to feed

lol you don't need to turn it off... maybe just the powerhead even then I make my fish swim for their food then to be lazy lol

 

[goliwala]

Hmm, you guys don't turn off the return pump when you feed? The water is coming from the overflow.

 

[Zoarder]

Hmm, you guys don't turn off the return pump when you feed? The water is coming from the overflow.

Nope, and I own 3 tanks....

 

[goliwala]

I must have something very wrong with my setup them because if I don't turn off return pump, most of the food just drains down the overflow.

 

[adrianocampo]

I must have something very wrong with my setup them because if I don't turn off return pump, most of the food just drains down the overflow.

although i do have a feed mode on my apex, when i'm too lazy to use it, I just chuck the pellets in with a little force so they sink. haha

 

[Paranoiattack91]

The skimmer overflows because of the heightened water level when you turn your pump off, nothing wrong with the skimmer. I never turn off anything when feeding but if you think you need to, just unplug the skimmer first and then the return pump. Then plug your return back in and do not plug your skimmer back in until the water has returned to its previous level.

 

[goliwala]

Does anyone knows of any in sump skimmers that don't care about water level fluctuation of few inches. Ideally, I want to be able to use the feed mode on my return pump and not flood my skimmer. I have all the valves and gates placed correctly, its just the water that drains through overflow.

 

[Zoarder]

Does anyone knows of any in sump skimmers that don't care about water level fluctuation of few inches. Ideally, I want to be able to use the feed mode on my return pump and not flood my skimmer. I have all the valves and gates placed correctly, its just the water that drains through overflow.

add a check valve if you don't want water going back to the sump.... that way the water level wont change in your sump. All skimmers are affected by the water level. Maybe drain the return section a little lower so the water that goes down to your sump will no affect the skimmer section, do you have pics of your setup?

 

[Smite]

I used to turn my return off while feeding. Now I just hold it in my fingers and they swim up and eat it before it blows around.

Just turn off your skimmer while feeding. Once water is back to normal flip it on. Or just don't kill your return.

 

[goliwala]

add a check valve if you don't want water going back to the sump.... that way the water level wont change in your sump. All skimmers are affected by the water level. Maybe drain the return section a little lower so the water that goes down to your sump will no affect the skimmer section, do you have pics of your setup?

I'll post pics later but its a DIY sump from a 20 gal wet dry filter.

At least I know there is nothing wrong with my skimmer. I'll figure something out, maybe even use aHOB filter I have, its not doesn't care about the water level. No pics right now but will post when I am home.

 

[trunglippo]

All you need is a check valve on your return pump, so when you turn off the pump, the water doesn't flow back to the sump.

 

[goliwala]

Return already has a check valve, maybe I should have placed it near sump instead of near the bulkhead. My problem is that too much water comes back from the overflow.

It's no biggie as long as I know its not the skimmer. I'll play around with in and out flow. Just don't want to change too much because its super quiet.