Need Nac7 Skimmer advise

[MadReefer]

I have this Nac7 skimmer for a few weeks now. Every time I swap out my filter socks the skimmer goes nuts for quite some time. I even unplugged it for a few hours but still no good. I managed to calm it down by pulling up on the riser tube and then slowly pushing it down over the next 24hrs. Anyone else have this issue or can five some tips on adjusting?

Thanks
Mark

 

[panmanmatt]

Are they brand new filter socks? I've seen/heard of skimmers doing that with new filter socks if you don't wash them first.

 

[downbeach]

How are you cleaning your filter socks? Are they felt or mesh?

 

[MadReefer]

They are not new, felt and I clean them in the washer with some bleach.

 

[TanksNStuff]

I'd suggest rinsing them in some RODI water before putting them in the sump. Might be some bleach or laundry detergent remnants that just didn't rinse enough in the washer.

 

[ReeferNets]

I soak all my filters socks for about an hour or two in RODI before i swap them out. I have a NAC7 and noticed when i put a new dry one in the air bubbles it caused would start to over flow the skimmer.

Since ive done that no overflows.

 

[MadReefer]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I checked the socks and they do have a slight bleach smell to them even though washed and dried a few weeks back.
I will rinse the next one out before replacing.

 

[TanksNStuff]

Just thought of something else to consider. When you're changing filter socks, are you also doing a water change at the same time? That's when I change mine since it's easier to get to it with the sump drained low.

I don't get any issues with my NAC7 when I change my socks... but thought if you're doing a water change at the same time... it might not be the sock that's causing the problems. Could be water level change or something else.

I'm probably wrong, but worth asking just in case.

Also, where is your skimmers intake in relation to the filter sock? Is it pointing at the sock or facing away from it? I find that pointing my pumps intake into the corner of the sump chamber (opposite where my sock hangs) it doesn't pick up any bubbles from the drain line from DT. It could be a simple rotation of the NAC7 that fixes this for you.

 

[MadReefer]

George,
The skimmer is no where near the sock. My skimmer is in the middle chamber because it will not fit in the first. I believe the person that I got it from used an external skimmer. But you have a point with the water level. I usually let what ever water is in the sock drain out into the sump. Maybe between that extra water and bleach is causing the skimmer to go crazy. I will have to check both on my next change. I change socks once a week but don't do weekly water changes.

 

[TanksNStuff]

Mark, is your sump setup so that the middle chamber always stays at a constant level? That's the most important thing with internal skimmers IMO. Any fluctuation in water level around them and you have issues.

It could be a mixture of the bleach you smell and/or water level then.

 

[MadReefer]

Yes the chamber is always at a constant level except when I drain the sock out. Maybe drain it someplace else or not at all.