3130 Skimmer Question

[Franko]

I just got my new 3130 last night and installed it.

I think there might be a problem with the pump? Let me ask a couple questions:

1) Is it supposed to be this loud? The thing makes a real racket and I am just wondering if I am supposed to have to turn up the TV to drown out the noise? I believe you have one running Rodger, is it loud or quiet?

2) The skimming action is ok but not great. I have to crank open the air intake all the way to get any good bubbles going. I would expect the bubbles to be overflowing when the intake is cranked open but this is not the case. After 24 hrs there was some gunk skimmed out but not as much as I would expect.

3) Shouldnt the air intake be connected to the area near the waterintake on the pump (Venturi style)? The air hose connects to the output part of the pump and the result is the bubbles are kinda large. I noticed there were some holes near the water intake that look like a hose could be attached.

Advise please.

Frank

 

[rvitko]

It should be pretty much dead silent, if the noise is a gurgling, restart it with the venturi closed after being sure the depth is correct- this means their is water in the venturi line. If the noise is a clack,clack noise from the motor, the bush bearing came loose in shipping and just needs to be pushed back into place. Their should only be a very slight hum from the motor and this shouldn't be audible from much distance and will go away as the motor wears in over the next couple weeks and I have never seen a quieter skimmer when it is running properly.

I would expect little to know skimming for a couple days. The skimmer needs a week to two weeks to break in and the main reason is plastic is hydrophobic- it repels water. Until this surface tension is overcome by algae and bacteria films the skimmer will not function optimally. You want to start with the venturi opened 2.5 turns, having it open full blast will give just as bad a skimming performance as not having it open enough, just be patient, after a week of running at 2.5 turnse if you don't gett much skimmate open it a 1/4 turn and wait a day and so on until you get the skimming you want. Usually 3 turns is the ideal on this model.

Venturi skimmers always have the venturi in the output, I think what you are thinking of is an aspirating skimmer like a needle wheel. The venturi uses the Bernali prinicple which requires a pressure differential so it has to be pressurized. Still the bubbles should not be large unless the specific gravity is low or the air hose is not properly inserted in the venturi, they will be larger than those of a needle wheel skimmer but barely and I don't think noticable to the naked eye. The other cause is having the air intake set too far open. The hose barbs up top are for adding Ozone.

 

[Franko]

Thanks for the advice Rodger.

I will:
1) Try to push the bush bearing back into place. As the sound was clacky like in the beginning. I'd call it more like a really loud hum now. PS the water line is correct, acording to instructions, no gurgling noises.

2) Open the air intake 2.5 turns.

3) Be patient for a couple weeks and let it break in.

If I am still having trouble in a couple weeks should I repost or PM you or call?

Thanks,
Frank

 

[rvitko]

Which ever works for you, I check my PM's too. I think you will be pleased with the skimmer though, they are definitely different in how they work but they do work quite well.

 

[Franko]

Update:

I pushed in the bush bearing as you suggested and the skimmer got much more quiet. It has been running for over a week and now bairly makes a whisper. Just as you said it would.

It is now skimming very nicely, about 100 ML of gunk per day.

I am very pleased with my purchase.

Franko

 

[rvitko]

Thanks!