3 Problems...

[Reggae Fish]

#1
My skimmer is going to make me scream! I have the Coralife SuperSkimmer 125. Sometimes it seems to be working great but other times it doesn't seem to be producing the bubbles very well. I have to basically run it very wet as of late??? Do I need to clean out any of the tubes? If so, isn't that awfully soon???(2 months) the pumps are close to the top of the water.

It's hard to tell but the entire bottom and where the cone starts in the top is all just water, there is hardly ANY bubbles. Just small ones

Here is a pic of my tube from my pump to the skimmer...Don't know if this helps.

#2
My return nozzles are shooting out bubbly air but it's not constant (couple times a minute)

#3
I have some micro bubbles??? (not too many, just some basically on my return nozzles in the morning an the powerhead)
I don't know why? Any suggestions. Does it have to do with #2?

Overall, the tank looks fine but it could look better and should be running more efficiently!

 

[Goalie66]

I have to clean my skimmer out about once every week or so to keep it working good. If I don't I really don't get a lot of skimmate collection. Also maybe your water is clean!

Tom

 

[McBeck]

I have never used that particular skimmer, but I think you should try giving it a thorough cleaning to see if that increases performance. If it does, you have your answer. If it doesn't, at least you've eliminated one possibility, which should make it easier to diagnose the problem.

 

[avgjoe]

Could you guys clarify what part of the skimmer that you clean? Is it a top to bottom cleaning or only the riser tube. etc...

 

[hagfish]

Mine stops producing bubbles every once in a while. I usually just have to get inside the pump and make sure it's able to suck in air as well as water. Sometimes something gets a little clogged up near the air tube.

 

[gath2]

The venturi often gets clogged with salt and needs to be cleaned regularly. Someone suggested hot RO water. Vinegar is also always good for any calcium build up.

The riser tube also needs to be cleaned regularly.

 

[Reggae Fish]

Is the "riser tube" the tube that goes from the pump to the skimmer? if so, it is SUPER hard to get off. I had to cut it last time.

 

[hagfish]

The riser tube is the tube in the collection cup where the bubbles slide through to end up in the cup. If that's not clean there will be too much friction and the bubbles won't slide up before popping.

 

[Reggae Fish]

Ok. thanks!