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AquaMaxx HOB 1.5 Skimmer overflowing (1 Viewer)

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Aquarist

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Hello,

I recently got a used AquaMaxx HOB 1.5 Skimmer. It worked great for about a week then I did 10 gallon water change in my JBJ 30G Cube and added small reactor with small amount of Seachem PhosBan to reduce some new tank algae growth. Once I restarted the skimmer after the water change it started to overflow. It's generating enormous amount of clear bubbles that within few seconds bubbles start to over flow. Since it's overflowing the bubbles foam coming from the top by lifting the top cap hence falling on the ground behind the tank. If it was water overflow it would have gone thru the drain from the cup.

I have another Hydor HOB skimmer in the tank and it's working like normal. I tried to adjust the air-intake knob to tighten or loosen the black screw but no difference. If I pinch the air-tube with fingers, that slows it down but can't stand there 24/7
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I took it out yesterday, completely disassembled, cleaned, put it back after 5 gallon water change but nothing changed.

Please advise if someone has experience it or knows how to tackle the issue.


Thanks,
 

webster1234

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I have 3 of them and have had similar problems in the past when something "different" was introduced into the tank. Maybe flatworm exit, red slime remover, whatever, would cause it to go crazy. All you can really do is raise the cup and set the overflow drain to drain into a bucket until it stops.

I tend to have more problems with a "clean" skimmer than I do with one that is "broken in." By "clean," I mean one that has gone through a vinegar bath to clean it up. They settle down once a film of gunk gets built up on the neck.

While it is getting used to whatever you did and gets broken in, watch the level in your bucket and the level in your tank since its 30g. Don't want it making a mess.
 
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Aquarist

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Skimmer cup is at the top most level. It's been running for over a week with no issue, now overflowing the clean bubbles by pushing the cover up. If it was water it would have been drain back to the skimmer by drain pipe but, it's the crazy amount of bubbles...
 

webster1234

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Well something is making it unhappy. Since its only 30g, I would do a couple more water changes. But something in the tank is making it go crazy like that. The only apparent change you have made is to add the Phos-ban. And if it was working ok before that change, that that should be what is causing it.

Do you understand what I mean by putting a hose on that drain spout and draining it into a bucket? It is set to overflow back into the skimmer, but when it does that, the result is self perpetuating.

If you flip the collection cup around, the drain will be on the other side and you can attach a hose to it. Drain the hose to a bucket and keep topping off your tank with fresh salt water. It should eventually stop.
 
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Here is the update as it may help others. I restricted the air flow by tying a loose knot on the Air-intake hose (You can put an air hose valve but, I didn't have any). Let the skimmer run for a day on a setting so it didn't overflow. After a day on restricted airflow, it's running on full airflow and not overflowing.

Thanks "webster1234", you were right, there was something that was bothering the skimmer.
 
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