Deltec MCE 600 Users
 

I just bought this skimmer and put it in my 44 gallon tank which is 2 years old. All it is doing is foaming up clear water and filling the collection cup with water in about 10 seconds! I have the air fully open. I am even getting water bubbles forming at the back of the collection cup and then dripping onto my floor. I called Deltec and they said to put vaseline between the tank and the collection cup at the back to stop bubbles from forming but that only lasted 10 mins until it started dripping again. Has anyone else had this issue? I am getting frustrated as this skimmer was a lot of $$$$. J & L said it is from using Prime as a water conditioner although I have never had this problem with less expensive skimmers I have used??? They told me to just keep running it although I can't if it keeps leaking onto my floor. HELP!

Is the collection cup as high as it can go?

Raising and lowering the cup controls the concentration of skimate.

yes, the collection cup is as high as it will go!

Tune the air down till it breaks in.

I use Prime, never had a problem with my skimmer.
It's brand new?
Did you wash it before you used it (just clear water)?
How open is the air valve?
You also want to be careful about the position of the degassing plate... if it's too high, the water level inside the skimmer will rise.

just to let you know i have a Bubble king and it was a crap load too and i ran into the same problem.. run it in a tub of vineger and water, for like 5 hours it will take the oils out of it...

When I turn the air down water collects in the cup even faster???

Deltec MCE-600
 

I had mine now for a year and mine works flawless.My tank is not drilled (150 Gallon FOWLR) I keep my cup as high as it will go,dont tighten the cup screw to tight,as I find thats when the water will leak.... I keep my air set at about(orange knob) 3-4 minutes after the hour. No bubbles at all go back into the tank... Just give it some time...Trust me you will be more than happy in the end.

Cheers,

Marcel

hey man hows the tank its doing good i hear and didnt know that you got a 600 for your tank

I have had this very issue with several of my client's MCE 600's. Basically, IMO, it is from something in the water that is making the skimmer froth excessively. The two most popular culprits are food(like PE Mysis is a biggie!!) and water conditioners/additives(like dechlorinator with added slime coat protectant).

What I would suggest is eliminating any of those first, then run carbon for a week or two. It should help. BTW, chemiclean will also make this skimmer go haywire. It is a very good skimmer, hence why it is so touch to the slightest change in water...

HTH?