can new lights cause problems?

[Ed]

I agree that the two things are probably not related. You should be able to slow the bubbles by cutting the flow back like Gary suggested.

[GaryP]

If you are allowing to much air in, the bubble size increases and the skimmer doesn't work as efficiently. Sorta like running a car to lean. You end up getting more water then waste.

Algae does produce surfactants (soap like chemicals) that can increase foaming, but I don't see that as a cause here.

[Moonrs]

The thing is, I haven't changed any settings, until this starting happening, for months. I would slowly get the collection cup filled up with dark, thick stuff. I only needed to empty it out only every few weeks. It wasn't until the new lights that this excessive output started happening. I'm not sure, but I think this is a kent nautilus skimmer. My particular skimmer has a long, vertical outflow pipe that is adjustable by moving it up and down like a telescope. As far as the air is concerned, I never had to adjust it before; the only way I have to adjust the skimmer is by moving the outflow pipe to make it longer or shorter. I think I"m just going to have to cross my fingers and hope this calms down. I'm going to leave the skimmer off for a few days longer.

[GaryP]

I think you may need to move the collection cup upwards so that you are getting a drier skimmate.

[Moonrs]

I can set the skimmer on top of something else, to raise it out of the water.

[Moonrs]

I set it on top of something and moved to tube like Joshua suggested, it made a huge difference... Thanks!