9002 Skimmer Help Please

[krakolis]

I noticed that some help was provided to another member with his 9002 skimmer and i am hoping for the same . I am new to the hobby and am having a hard time properly setting up my skimmer.

I have put my skimmer in the second slot of the 29g coralife biocube. there is an intank media basket right beside it.

my problems seems to be 2 fold. I dont get enough power to draw bubbles up the tube and thus cannot produce skimmate. I have the water about 1/4 inch below the suggested water line and still nothing

I double checked the air line and made sure it was free of water.

i also made sure that green tube that is not directly in line with the opening for the cup, it is aiming up at the small round bowl of plastic.

Any help to get this skimmer to become effective would be greatly appreciated.

 

[rvitko]

Please check these two things.

I am assuming the skimmer is new, if so, try removing the blue screw for air adjustment, does water exit this screw?


If it is used, please check that the elbow that connects to the venturi (green tube assembly) is not clogged by salt and calcium, it should be clear.

 

[krakolis]

yes sorry the skimmer is brand new...i removed the blue screw and waited 5 mins and no water came out of the hole. To be detailed when the screw was removed the water with bubbles didnt even break the top of the black tunze casing.

thanks for the help roger

 

[Craig Borowski]

How long has the 9002 been in the water and is this a newly set up aquarium?

And just to confirm, when you take out the collection cup and look inside, you do see water and bubbles moving around, right?

 

[krakolis]

Hi Craig,

Skimmer has been in the water running for the last 3 days straight on a very low air supply (due to increased noise when air supply is increased)...the aquarium is brand new. It has been running for just over 2 week. It includes approx 40 lbs of live sand 30 lbs of live rock 5 scarlet crabs 10 snails and a cleaner shrimp. the inverts were added to the tank 6 days ago.

Hope this information helps

 

[Craig Borowski]

If the air is turned down then it will take longer for the foam to form. It's better to keep it open, especially in the beginning.

It always takes a few days or so for a new skimmer to start skimming. And on a brand new aquarium, it could easily take a week or more.

But it sounds like everything is more or less on track. If I were you I'd open the air valve more and just wait for the head of foam to form. Also, if you can keep your hands out of the tank and refrain from rearranging the rocks, it will start skimming sooner. I know that can be difficult, especially with a brand new tank, but it really will help things move along more quickly.

 

[krakolis]

Thanks for the info Craig. I have a few last specific questions.

How open should i have the air valve...(ie if i fully close it and use that as my reference point, how many full turns should i do?)

is it normal for the water level to not even break the top of the black casing when the value is open more than half way.

is it normal for the skimmer to be loud? If i open the air valve the level of noise increases to the point where its hard to have a conversation in the room without raising your voice.

- as a reference for you, i have my water level about 1/4 -1/2 an inch below the water mark line.

Again your help has been greatly apprecaited

Nick

 

[Craig Borowski]

Hi Nick,

1. Starting with it closed, turn it 2.5 or 3 turns.
2. Yes, water will not rise that high even when operating correctly.
3. This I'm not sure about. There is always a bit of an air sound, but it's rare for people to describe it as noisy. If it's a gurgling sound, then it's possible there is water trapped in the airline. If it's just an air sound, then there may be something restricting the airflow. It's also possible it's a vibration noise from being in a tight space like the back of a Biocube. See if any of those apply and let me know...
4. You can raise the skimmer a bit more. Try to get the water line 3/4" below that line.

 

[krakolis]

Thanks Craig!!!

To the best of my knowledge it doesnt seem to be a gurgling sound. I took it out and made sure the line was empty before putting in back in the biocube. It doesnt sound like a noise created by vibration either.

Its a steady airish? sound....almost similar to a tv on static if its possible i can get a sound clip to give you an idea.

But it is definitely the loudest thing in the room. It doesnt sound like a humming or vibration of sorts, but literally like white noise

 

[rvitko]

If the skimmer is not being submerged too low while it is running then the only other possibility will be that the hose is disconnected from the top plate or has a cut in it. The hose connects to a nipple under the screw, it then goes down to the pump. To make a slurping noise either the skimmer is being momentarily submerged too deep so water gets into the airline, the airline is disconnected from the nipple (in this case the air adjustment would have no effect) or the airline must have some cut or tear where water can get sucked in. This would be the only thing that could make noise. Regard the marked water line as maximum and the minimum is about 1" below, the ideal is between. The skimmer will make some noise of air being pulled in, but if it is a percolating noise, like a coffeemaker then it is likely water in the air line. The normal noise should be a very soft whistle/woosh that you wouldn;t here more than a couple feet away.

 

[krakolis]

Thanks for the info Roger. To my best ability it doesnt look like the line is damaged or disconnected. I have it at the correct water level and have made sure it doesnt drop or rise.

The noise is an extreme loud almost grinding noise...it definately doesnt sound like a whisper.

I have also sent you a PM regarding the matter as i referred to you from xeniainc.com

Thanks for your time

Nick