Need Help with Skimmer!!!

[Azn]

This is very frustrating....:doubt: Well I have this skimmer that looks very similar to an ETSS. I'm having trouble with the bubbles climbing to the top. I have a mag 12 running and I clean out the skimmer as I believe Sean is his name at Barrier told me to give a good vinegar wash, which I did. Well it seem as if the pump is working just great and producing good bubbling action, but it's doesn't seem to foam so it doesn't climb to the top. It just makes solid big bubbles, but not the foam type which usually makes it climb if you know what I mean. Does anyone know what might be the solution?

I also lifted the skimmer up so the valve is almost above the water level as my last ETSS Skimmer which I had to do and worked just great! Additionally why do I have to keep adjusting the valve when water evaperates? Is this an occurring thing that happens all the time that you have to adjust the valve on the skimmer as water level drops and rises? Man... too much work I tell ya and not enough time!

 

[sandswhitson]

If you are just running the skimmer with fresh water you will not get the fine bubbles that you do in saltwater. I don't know about adjusting the skimmer but all skimmers work best if you keep a steady level in your sump.

 

[Azn]

If you are just running the skimmer with fresh water you will not get the fine bubbles that you do in saltwater. I don't know about adjusting the skimmer but all skimmers work best if you keep a steady level in your sump.

I have it running in my sump... definitely saltwater and the levels are good. Just won't foam to the top. The only possible thing I could think of is maybe there's a leak somewhere, where air might be traveling out or water coming in?

 

[Azn]

I'll just have to take it to Barrier Reef and have them test it and if all else fails... anyone have a skimmer they want to sell that will do at least 300 gallons.

 

[mcvicker]

For a becket skimmer you may need a high pressure pump to run. Not sure if the Mag 12 is the right pump for the skimmer.
-chris

 

[sandswhitson]

I thought that maybe you were trying to get it to foam when you were running the vinegar thru it. My bad. Good luck with the skimmer. Sorry I don't know much at all about beckets.

 

[Skimmy]

did you take the beckett apart and clean it???
did you check the pump outlet/ all plumbing to injector for obstructions?
did you throttle the gate valve on the outlet closed to raise the water level??

a mag 12 is on the bottom end of whats good to power a beckett, but you should still be getting some decent foam from that sized pump.

 

[luke33]

.....or it just needs to break in maybe? If you just did a vinegar bath and threw it in it will take a few days to start a foam head. Right now it will look like soda fizz at the top, just be patient : )

 

[matts125]

this is very common with beckett skimmers, just have patience as luke said it needs to break in. but definatley keep that injector clean...

Matt

 

[Azn]

did you take the beckett apart and clean it???
did you check the pump outlet/ all plumbing to injector for obstructions?
did you throttle the gate valve on the outlet closed to raise the water level??

a mag 12 is on the bottom end of whats good to power a beckett, but you should still be getting some decent foam from that sized pump.

Yes, I did all the things listed on here Skimmer Master . I first took it to barrier reef and Sean told me to give it a good vinegar wash, so I took everything apart. Cleaned it and threw it in. Looks like it was working well, but like Luke was saying it was just like soda fizz at top. So then I turn the valve a bit higher and this morning I think I lost about 1 gallon on the floor from the collection jar splashing .

.....or it just needs to break in maybe? If you just did a vinegar bath and threw it in it will take a few days to start a foam head. Right now it will look like soda fizz at the top, just be patient : )

this is very common with beckett skimmers, just have patience as luke said it needs to break in. but definatley keep that injector clean...

Matt

Thanks fellas... I think I'll do like Timmy T, "One More Try" :lol:
Yes, Luke.. I will do like Danielson, "patience Danielson patience..." Man if this doesn't work in a week... it's going in the trash!!! :badgrin:

 

[Skimmy]

Man if this doesn't work in a week... it's going in the trash!!! :badgrin:

>:O !!!!!!!!!!


lol

 

[Azn]

>:O !!!!!!!!!!


lol

Looks like it's not going to the trash after all ! I finally got it working.. yeah!!! Thanks everyone for your assistance. I'm positive the injecter piece was loose and finally I put in an ATO, so I don't have to keep adjusting the valve and also the most important "PATIENTS" was the key answer!

I know I like to rush things when I set up new tanks, but that's just me.
I gave it couple days and I read it's better to have smaller bubbles which helps it creep to the top? So I close the air valve more than half way and waited patiently for couple days. :shock: Whoa it actually started working! Saved me around $300-400 dollars .

The only thing now is, I want to see more black gunk. Right now it looks a little green. I know, I know.. "Patients" right? I will wait, but what if it doesn't turn dark? Then what?