9010 getting weak?

[tony098]

My 9010 skimmer is about one year old. In the first 6 months, I have to use the blue screw to reduce air intake to prevent overflowing the cup. Now, even with the blue screw removed, I barely get 1/4" of dark skimmate every 3 days. I have 10 fish in a 125 gallon and feed everyday (I have anthias).

I took it apart and clean every 3 months. No white stuff build up in the air tube. Could the pump getting weak?

 

[rvitko]

Have you cleaned the venturi nozzle and the internals of the pump, including the upper bearing and magnetic rotor?

 

[tony098]

Yes

 

[rvitko]

The pump cannot really get weak unless it is mechanically damaged in some way, like the impeller blades are worn. A synchronous pump spins in response to the Hz, US is 60Hz, the electromagnet changes polarity 60 times a second as a result and the impeller does 3600rpm because of this. It cannot spin slower or faster. I would be sure the skimmer is thoroughly cleaned and everything is properly assembled and adjusted. The easiest way to be sure everything gets cleaned is to submerge the skimmer completely in a bucket of 25% vinegar 75% RO water and run the skimmer overnight, this will pull the solution through every part of the skimmer and get all the lines cleaned out. Disassemble it, rinse everything thoroughly and make sure everything is properly reassembled.