Skimmer not working?

[Blazer88]

I've been reading up on skimmers and some say they have to empty the cup easily every week. After a week, I only have bubbles at the top of the cup and very little actual liquid. The tube runs from the cup into a little collection container that barely gets any liquid into it. How can I tell if my skimmer is working properly or not? I also have a hair-line crack in the tube, but I don't think any extra air gets into it. I've been having problems with GHA, which has started to slowly release into the water column when I blow w/the baster, and that's why I think the skimmer gunk is green. Does this look normal? Thanks for any insight. BTW, the skimmer says it's a Sealife Systems....if that means anything.

 

[wrightme43]

Well how big is your tank? How old?
It looks to be a airstone powered skimmer. Is that correct?
If so and the blue stone I am seeing is providing the air, you will get much better results with a Rena brand ceramic stone or a lime wood stone that will make fine micro bubbles instead of large bubbles.

 

[Blazer88]

The tank is a 30G and the skimmer is in a 10G sump. I'm not sure on the age, but I've had the tank up and running for 3 months now. I was told it has been running for at least 8 months prior. I'm also not sure what an airstone powered skimmer is...? It's the venturi NV75 model on the link.
I'm just worried as the cup never seems to fill up. Thanks for your help.
http://www.bioreef.com/SEALIFE.htm

 

[wrightme43]

I went and checked it out, thanks for the link. It is a venturi powered like you said, that means air is sucked into a venturi and then chopped up by the pump impeller and spit into the reaction chamber. One thing that can help venturi type skimmers alot is taking some rodi water and boiling it in the microwave. Carefully so you dont get burned let the hose that supplies air to the venturi suck the hot water down instead of air. It will clean out all the salt and such and the like in the air and venturi line.
That may help and if not I would try cleaning the pump in vinager or even if you can remove the skimmer to a bucket and run it in vinager for a hour or so.

 

[o2manyfish]

Your water level is too low - You can see in the photo right above where you wrote "crack" that their is a thick heavy scum line -

This is where your skimming is occurring. The water level is too low, so the bubbles are bursting in the lower large tube, and the skimmate is just dumping back into the tank.

Raise the water level and perhaps lower the air going into the venturi, and that brown scum line should start to appear at the very top of the neck. Then when the skimmate is produced it should fall into the collection cup rather than back into the skimmer chamber.


These adjustments can be tricky and frustrating. If it continues to not function properly. Keep posting photos of what the skimmer looks like after you make an adjustment.

Once you change something, wait 24hrs to see where the skim production height is in the skimmer.

I will be out of town this weekend, but if you have problems, will be back on Tuesday, and try to help you (via the photos and the thread) work things out.

Be patient

Dave B

 

[Blazer88]

Hmm...didn't even think about the water level being too low. I lowered the amount of air going into the venturi and wiped out the larger chamber to see what the results are later today. When people say they have to empty the cup often, does that mean they have lots 'o foam or liquid in the cup? Hopefully there isn't anything wrong with my skimmer. Thanks for your help, it is much appreciated!

 

[DonW]

Hmm...didn't even think about the water level being too low. I lowered the amount of air going into the venturi and wiped out the larger chamber to see what the results are later today. When people say they have to empty the cup often, does that mean they have lots 'o foam or liquid in the cup? Hopefully there isn't anything wrong with my skimmer. Thanks for your help, it is much appreciated!

Looks like your skimmer is working pretty good. I'd second raising the water level. Dont worry to much about the quantity of the skimmate. Just keep raising the water level until you start getting to much clear liquid then lower it back down a bit. This shoud get you plenty of wet skimmate that it sound like your after.

Don

 

[o2manyfish]

Blazer,

It depends on how a skimmer is adjusted as to what they pull out.

A skimmer with a water level "too" high and too much air, can fill a collection cup in minutes with just salt water.

If your skimmer is "dialed in" you should get dark skimmate, which should have the consistency of shampoo or liquid soap. Dark mean deep deep green, or brown like you would find in a dirty diaper.

Some skimmers produce a smell to match that diaper.

I have a skimmer on my FO that produces super dry skimmate and only needs to be emptied once a month.

I have a skimmer on my Reef System, that makes super stinky skimmate, and fills the cup about every 48 hours, with the consistency of a marinara sauce - That skimmer cup I drilled and run my RO waste water thru to keep the cup clean and empty.

Dave B

 

[Blazer88]

Is the water level directly adjusted with the air valve? I can have the air valve completly opened or closed and that only seems to effect the bubbles. Does the pump at the base effect the water level? If so, I wonder if my pump is not strong enough to raise the water to a correct level. You guys have been most helpful, I do appreciate it

 

[DonW]

Is the water level directly adjusted with the air valve? I can have the air valve completly opened or closed and that only seems to effect the bubbles. Does the pump at the base effect the water level? If so, I wonder if my pump is not strong enough to raise the water to a correct level. You guys have been most helpful, I do appreciate it

Looking at your link, it appears that your skimmer water level is set by adjusting the water level in your sump. As far as the air goes you may just have to play with the valve until you end up with the smallest most dense bubbles in the main chamber.

Don

 

[Skimmy]

if there isnt one already, putting a gate valve on the return is a good way to adjust your skimmer level, also is that the model that comes with a rio 2100? upgrading to a pump that has more pressure will make the venturi work much better. for instance, if you buy a submersible dolphin pump that has the same gph as your current pump you will see a massive difference in your foam production, also make sure you clean out the venturi and collection cup every few days, you can easily clean the venturi by pouring some fresh, hot water into the air hose. if your worried about your crack, just put a little #16 acrylic glue on the crack, you can find it at most hardware stores, sometimes at reef stores as well. hope this helps

p.s. if you cant make it work well i have a skimmer that would kick it's butt for $50, a top fathom t100 w/ pump.

 

[Blazer88]

Hmm...any links to your skimmer? I'm limited on height to about 19" though since it's under my tank. I've raised the water level in my sump and have had the same results as above (pic). I'll look tonight when I get home to see which pump I have on it, maybe it's a bit underpowered. Thanks for all the help, I appreciate it!

 

[o2manyfish]

Any progress ?

Dave B

 

[Blazer88]

Well, yes and no. Raising the water level in my sump did nothing to produce any skimmate. I put hot water down my air tube into the pump hoping that may clean it out and have some results. I did that last night and should hopefully know in a day or so if it is working correctly. I also checked and I have a Rio 600 for the pump. Is that too small? I'll post a picture of the skimmer tomorrow evening after I have raised the water level and put the water down the tube to see if there are any improvements. Maybe it's just a crappy skimmer

 

[dnjan]

You need more pump for a venturi skimmer. You need enough pump pressure/flow to be able to raise the water level in the skimmer body. That poor Rio600 just doesn't have it.

With a venturi skimmer, you tend to get best results when you have excess pump capacity that you "dial down" with a gate valve between the pump and the skimmer.

 

[Blazer88]

Any recommendations on a new pump? Seems like that would be an easy fix so I can keep my skimmer. Please excuse my ignorance, but is the pump just for the air? I do have an air-adjustment valve that is between this little air pump and the Rio. If I close the valve completely, the air is cut off but water is still in the large chamber. I guess I'm not totally clear on exactly what role the Rio plays. Thanks for the help.

 

[Blazer88]

Apparently my setup is a bit goofy, so his is a pic to help explain myself. I would like to get a stronger pump, if that will help the situation, so who ever I sell this tank/sump/fuge to they will be good to go. And thanks again for the help guys!

 

[bri7969]

take the 90 off the little hose and clean it out and that should help you

 

[Blazer88]

I was doing some reading about the Rio on the internet and....who knew these are supposed to be cleaned I already have the skimmer out so I figure what the hell. But my luck, I was cleaning off the impeller and dropped a little piece of plastic down my disposal. So...guess I'm out to go and get a new pump right now. Any suggestions? I'm probably going to wait an hour for traffic to die down, so any input is appreciated. Oh, and that 90 degree blue thing is the air adjustment, nothing to clean out of there. Thanks again guys.

 

[bri7969]

no where it hooks on ph the green hose