SKIMMER HELP???

[pnkrcklives]

I just finished the install of a new skimmer. Tested it in the bath tub and fine tuned it(for an hour or so). Put it in the sump. Got it going it was skimming great. Pulling all kinds of dark junk. Now the air line from the inlet line is just pumping water out. No air intake at all. Any ideas?? It is a used ATI bubble master body, eco 630 pump, needle wheel(with mesh mod instructed by LFS to do). 5/16 air inlet line(venturi).

[pnkrcklives]

Update, if raise/lengthen the line(alot). It almost draws air(no water out). Hooking an air pump to it forces it to skim at a lower rate than it is capable of doing. What Gives...

[ReeFit]

is the pump running backwards?

[ReeFit]

also make sure your sump level isn't to high above the pump. i had to lower my level to get mine to work better.

[Saltfinsax]

Is something slowing the flow of the water through the skimmer?

Is the wheel still turning?

 

You had it working it sounds like and then something changed.

[reef165]

also make sure your sump level isn't to high above the pump. i had to lower my level to get mine to work better.

 

Dito on that, water level could be to high or to low, shoulda said in the instructions what the optimum level should be, plus try cleaning the air inlet, it will get cloged with salt creep if it has been struggling to get air into it.

[ClayTheSavageFraser]

I would check the impellar. unplug it and plug it back in. Sometimes the magnets go bipolar and run backwards for some reason. It's happened to a couple of my koralias too.

 

Clay

[Mitchell]

is the pump running backwards?

 

That's what it sounds like to me. My old power head used to change flow when I unplugged it and would start sucking fish in, that was a nightmare.

[pnkrcklives]

Gonna go check the rotation now. Was not even aware they could run back wards. I did shut the skimmer of for a second just before I final routed the cords.

[pnkrcklives]

pump is rotating counter clock wise. no idea what normal rotation is.

[madmike]

how deep is the water in your sump? most skimmers need to be in about 6-9" of water so if yours is deeper you can build a stand to set it on.

[reef165]

If it is pushing water into the skimmer it is going in the right direction, is the pump a needle wheel or is the skimmer a venturi type? What brand is the skimmer?

[pnkrcklives]

Update: The pump pushes plenty of water. Impeller and all internals look ok. I held the skimmer a little higher seemed to build a little foam. To worn out to mess with it tonight tomorrow I will raise it. Cause it in 12 inches of water.

[Algae]

Have you checked the Venturi inlet? These build up with calcium easily. You can use a needle, small nail, Aiptasia X tip, etc. to clear it.

 

12" of water is likely too much.

[Lowman]

if I read it right your skimmer is in 12" of water? That is way too deep. Find a way to prop it up and I think your problems will diminish. Also, to help with the air flow you can take a small drill bit and widen the hole where your airline goes. even a small amount of widening can improve skimmer function.

[pnkrcklives]

I just finished building a stand to get the skimmer in 8 inches of water. I already have modified the air in let. Is there such thing ans to big on the air inlet line. I was told to go 3/8" with it. I went with 5/16" cause 3/8 seems to big. That is up from the 1/8" it started with. I will let you know tonight how it goes.

[reef165]

Yes at some point if theres to much air coming in the pump will cavitate and not do anything.

[chewie]

run the skimmer in about 6-8" of water and try 1/4" airline.

[pnkrcklives]

Ok skimmer is now in 8.75 inches of water. Can not go any higher with it or I will not be able to get the cup off of it. I ran the 5/16 line water still squirts out of the line. Neck the air inlet line to 1/4 water squirts farther. Neck down to 1/8 shoot farther yet. This is a neat squirt gun. I will be headed back tomorrow to pick the brain of who I bought it from. Maybe it is now time for the shotgun approach. I do have a new mossberg I would love to shoot...

[reef165]

is the air inlet on the suction side of the pump or the push side? do you have a pic of it? could you have put the air inlet thing in backwards?

[pnkrcklives]

Think I got it figured it out... The pump has a 90 elbow coming out of it then into the skimmer. I put my air inlet right at the pump(before the elbow). I just plugged that one off. Drilled a new hole as close to the skimmer body as I could in the elbow(after the 90). Now it is pulling air through(1/8 line). And making foam like a mad man that has rabies. I am going to watch it for a while may up the line to 1/4 inch...

[reef165]

so the air dosn't go through the pump then into the skimmer? cut the airline at an angle and then when you push it into the hole put the long side twards the pump. That is if you are going to keep it that way, I would get a pvc fitting that will screw into the sucktion side of the pump then put a cap on it, drill a 3/8 hole in the end of the cap, then drill a hole for the air line in the top of it, that way the air goes through the pump and the impeller will chop up the bubbles really fine.

[pnkrcklives]

Holy crap I am an idiot sometimes. Could not figure out how the mesh/needle wheel is helping make bubbles. Specially when the air line is on the out side. I was just kinda copying my other skimmer. Maybe I will do that to both of them and I bet the old skimmer will begin to work better than ever. I did cut the air lines at an angle. THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP GUYS/GIRLS I OWE YOU FOOD AND DRINKS!!!