Skimmer Experts I need help!

[Scooterman]

I have a needle wheel type skimmer new, trying to get it going right. First off it is 26.5" tall. 8" ID, has a gen-x 900gph pump with needle wheel. The air line is about 3/8", I inserted a small 1/4" tubing with an air valve at the end to quieten up the loud air suction, I think doing this reduces some of the micro bubbles but it still is bubbling up well. I have the gate valve adjusted to where the bubbles are about a 1/2" below the top portion of the cup, just slightly bubbling over at times, wet. I'm thinking it would work better with the air inlet wide open but not sure, hard for me to tell the difference in bubble production, and it is LOUD. So any information on how to tweak this unit would be helpful, also is it going to take a while to break in, I never understood that part as how could that be. My little turbo floater produced thick stuff every day, filling the cup. This new skimmer hasn't really made anything that nasty yet.

 

[NaH2O]

I'm as far from a skimming expert as you can get, but here are my thoughts. How long have you had it running now? I don't remember a specific length of time for my Euro-Reef to "break-in"....I think it starting producing right away. I did rinse my unit out prior to use, just in case there was any residue from manufacture. What happens when you take out the 1/4" tubing you stuck in the air line?

 

[Scooterman]

When I remove the smaller tube with the air valve, it makes a loud sucking noise from the air rushing in, the tubing wall is very thick also, just to mention that. Question, how deep is it in the sump, and how high do you adjust the gate valve to bubbles inside the skimmer?

 

[DonW]

Does yours have the drain like the one pictured? If so is it going somewhere or is it plugged off? If so are there holes in the lid?
It will take time to get rid of all stuff on the acrylic. Running in a bucket of vinegar water may speed it along. You may just need yo wait a few days.

Don

 

[Scooterman]

yep, I have a drain tube going to a gallon jug for now, and the cover has an air hole, I did clean the unit thoroughly at first also, it is dumping some stuff but I would like to figure out how to get the most micro bubbles without the noise, with the air valve Off, it seems to do better as for as the foam stack, well at times I think so anyways hard for me to tell. I guess I can try drilling a few nozzles for the air inlet tip and see if I can make one just right.

 

[DonW]

Maybe a film container and cotton ball muffler would help kill the noise.

Don

 

[Scooterman]

Ahh, a good idea, thanks I'll try it.