skimmer not skimming

[rusty shackleford]

just added a sump, just wondering if there would be some chemicals leaching from the silicone causeing my skimmer to not produce any foam

skimmer was working fine as a hang on skimmer

thanks

[gregzz4]

I don't know about the silicone
How long has the skimmer been running on the new sump ?
Maybe the extra volume of the sump has diluted your system's nutrients ?
Have you used any epoxy since the sump addition ?

[rusty shackleford]

skimmer been running for pretty much 24 hours on the sump.
was running good as a hang on so i dont think it could another "break in"
unless having it not set up and dryed out for a couple weeks could have some effect on it

[tim the toolman]

Pics may help us be able to troubleshoot

[subman]

and what type of skimmer.

[rusty shackleford]

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r624/rusty_shackleford10/HPIM0732.jpg

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r624/rusty_shackleford10/HPIM0730.jpg

http://i1175.photobucket.com/albums/r624/rusty_shackleford10/HPIM0729.jpg

[rusty shackleford]

coralife super skimmer 65

and my water should be pretty dirty so i know thats not it

[subman]

did you add anything lately?

[rusty shackleford]

well no, but i did just put the sump in yesterday so i used vinyl tube a fluval hose to bring water to the sump and the overflow box.

all of which i didnt rinse first...

[subman]

I would let it go if it doesn't skim in a couple days then we could look into other things but I think its just some chemicals leaching from the new sump bursting your bubbles

[rusty shackleford]

yeah my thoughts exactly, when i first got it it was foaming like crazy.
had about 2 shot glasses full of dark dark brown crap after 2 days.
keep in mind i hadnt had a skimmer on the tank for a whole year and the water was always really dirty.

it just seems theres no suface tension to allow foam to build up, i know my waters dirty ( my algae makes that very clear! )

thanks for the input, ill give it a few days

[tim the toolman]

My skimmer will not allow the foam to climb properly if the chamber is not cleaned. You should fully clean the uptake chamber to allow for the foam to properly climb.

[chris121277]

Have you changed the depth below the surface of the water that pump is at? super skimmers are finicky about water depth

[reefwars]

how much water do you have it running in the sump???

[reefwars]

Have you changed the depth below the surface of the water that pump is at? super skimmers are finicky about water depth



ooo just beat me too it lol buy yah:P

[reefwars]

would also make sure everything is clean motor wise and all tubing is free and clean:)

[reefwars]

and now since your running internal you will have to tune it again:)

[subman]

My skimmer will not allow the foam to climb properly if the chamber is not cleaned. You should fully clean the uptake chamber to allow for the foam to properly climb.

Very true but it looks like in the pics the head isn't reaching the dirty neck. Still need to clean the neck to get proper skimming

and now since your running internal you will have to tune it again:)

It looks as though its still external on the side of the sump now instead of DT.

[rusty shackleford]

yeah i should have mentioned, its to tall to fit under my stand in the sump.
so its hanging just outside the stand as a hob on my sump.

the water level in the sump is about an inch lower then when it was on the display (when it was functioning properly) but i compensated for that and have it dialed in, it looks to be running the same way it was when it was working on the display, just minus the foam

deffinatly give it a cleaning, cant hurt

[chris121277]

I don't think you realize just how finicky super skimmers are....an inch is a huge deal to them.....heck a 1/4 inch is a big deal to them.....I'd put money on it that if you cut the tube connecting the pump and inch shorter raisin it up tham "POOF" it starts skimming normal again :wink:

[rusty shackleford]

your right, this is the first skimmer iv had.
the pump is as far up as it can be, theres a vinyl tube acting as a coupler to connect it to the inlet.

i posted a couple pictures earlyer and it looks to be functioning the same as it did when i first had it skimming correctly - same head hight and airflow

do you think its at all possible that leaching chemicals could have somthing to do with it ???

[rusty shackleford]

and if the water level ever does change can you just correct it with the valve attached to the pump ???

[chris121277]

and if the water level ever does change can you just correct it with the valve attached to the pump ???


It's been a wile....but I believe that the optimal depth for the pump is 5" to the inlet on it, if you can't go any shorter I would get a hold of some more tubing and try a little lower.

The reason for this is depending on the depth the venturi will pull more or less air into the needle wheel.

One more thing to check is that the inside of the venturi is squeaky clean....if there is any kind of build up what so ever it won't function properly.

[chris121277]

your right, this is the first skimmer iv had.


do you think its at all possible that leaching chemicals could have somthing to do with it ???

I suppose it's possible.....but coming from someone who had spent years fighting with a coralife skimmer......I'd bet it' the skimmer it's self

[rusty shackleford]

[quote=chris121277;705629]It's been a wile....but I believe that the optimal depth for the pump is 5" to the inlet on it, if you can't go any shorter I would get a hold of some more tubing and try a little lower.


thats a fine idea, seems to be the only variable
ill go grab some tube and give it a cleaning and see if that does the trick

thanks

[rusty shackleford]

the problem was that the micro bubble trap was completly clogged with crap, thus resticting the power i could set my pump at.

cleaned out the sponges and cranked the pump up and now she works!!

also putting out less micro bubbles, because before it was cleaned the water was just overflowing the trap and comming out of the top

thanks for every ones input, problem solved :)

[tim the toolman]

Hooray for skimming. Keep her clean and she will do the rest.