cellowithgills Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 I just got a SWC xtream 200 skimmer (running a PSK 2500), it's running but it doesn't seem like it's pulling air in properly. It's kind of gasping for air. Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pnkrcklives Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Check/clean the air inlet. Mine gets clogged with salt residue and does the same thing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cellowithgills Posted July 8, 2011 Author Share Posted July 8, 2011 Check/clean the air inlet. Mine gets clogged with salt residue and does the same thing... Spick and Span. I poured some hot RO down just to be sure. Nothing changed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cellowithgills Posted July 8, 2011 Author Share Posted July 8, 2011 Ok, looking at it from the side, it looks like there are a couple of big bubbles coming through every second or so. So maybe it's getting to much air? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cellowithgills Posted July 8, 2011 Author Share Posted July 8, 2011 Also there's a bunch of micro bubbles escaping Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate213 Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 I have a different skimmer, but after the power is cycled, i have to blow air into the airline to get the bubbles going. Once it is going it works great, but it doesn't want start correctly. It has been this way since I bought it brand new. I read in some other forums that some skimmers do this, especially if they have been modded. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cellowithgills Posted July 8, 2011 Author Share Posted July 8, 2011 I have a different skimmer' date=' but after the power is cycled, i have to blow air into the airline to get the bubbles going. Once it is going it works great, but it doesn't want start correctly. It has been this way since I bought it brand new. I read in some other forums that some skimmers do this, especially if they have been modded.[/quote'] It does seem to have a hard time clearing the air line of water at the start up, but I haven't had to help it along yet. I let it run last night and it seems to be working, but there's still large bubbles going through the chamber. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 I have to blow in the venturi on my skimmer to get it restarted sometimes too. Micah how long have you had it running? I don't think you've had it longer than a few days, and there is a break in period especially if you or the previous owner cleaned it with vinegar. Every time i clean my skimmer, which i do by soaking it in vinegar, i get large bubbles collecting under the bubble plate which then rise and kill the foam head. This lasts a day or 2, then it stops and runs like a champ. Give it thru the weekend and report back to us, if its still having troubles i'll come over and see if we can put our heads together and figure it out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cellowithgills Posted July 9, 2011 Author Share Posted July 9, 2011 i get large bubbles collecting under the bubble plate which then rise and kill the foam head. You just explained exactly what's going on. I had it set up about 20 minutes before I posted DOH!. I've didn't really have to deal with a break in period with my Octopus so I think I over reacted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Hows it working now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cellowithgills Posted July 11, 2011 Author Share Posted July 11, 2011 It's still releasing large bubbles, but it's not killing the foam head any more. I've gotten maybe 4 or 5 tablespoons of skimmate over the past 4 days. My old skimmer used to have to be emptied every other day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted July 11, 2011 Share Posted July 11, 2011 Sounds like its getting there! Is the skimmate darker? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cellowithgills Posted July 12, 2011 Author Share Posted July 12, 2011 I can't really tell, the cup is white so it looks lighter than it really is. There just isn't enough there yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cellowithgills Posted July 16, 2011 Author Share Posted July 16, 2011 New problem, after I got it all set up again (from moving it yesterday), it's releasing tons of microbubbles into the sump and on into the DT. I don't have a bubble trap but I don't think it would help anyways, I think I've got quite a bit of movement through my sump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
impur Posted July 18, 2011 Share Posted July 18, 2011 Sounds normal after moving it. When i replace my filter sock i get tons of MBs. Can you dial back your return pump until the MBs subside? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cellowithgills Posted July 18, 2011 Author Share Posted July 18, 2011 It all took care of itself. Just to give you an idea of how bad the microbubbles were. My montiporas almost tip over from having so many bubbles under them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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