9010 switch from in-tank to in-sump problem

[Slick Fork]

Hi there,

I've got a 9010 that was running in my tank very succesfully for the last 2 months. Well, I finally got my sump up and running tonight and seem to be having problems with the skimmer's new configuration. It's now sitting in the sump with the kit (extension pipe, non-grated bottom piece) installed in about 10" of fairly peaceful water

Now, the extension pipe is pushing water out, as is the "exhaust" hole in the back, trouble is the skimmer itself is not producing any foam, at least compared to what it was doing in the tank. What foam there is, is not even making it 1/4 of the way up the cup and looks very "wet and "clean"

I gave the cup a good scrubbing with the brush before I slapped it all back together, and adding the sump to the tank (plus a water change) added about 65 gallons of pristine water to the system (total volume is probably 140 gallons)

Did I do something wrong or will it just take time to adapt to it's new home? Previously, if I cleaned the cup it just started skimming happily again so I sort of expected the same results today

Thanks in advance

 

[rvitko]

Did you install the coupler between the pump and the intake on the front? Also make sure the venturi nozzle air intake didn't come loose and that the pump outlet is inside the jet pipe in the skimmer.

 

[Slick Fork]

Coupler is in, outlet is pushed all the way into the hole.

The unit has produced about 100ml of skimmate in the last 36hrs, it seems to be producing plenty of foam... it just doesn't seem to be making it into the skimmate cup nearly as well as it did when it was mounted in the tank. Usually I could count on 200ml+ in the same period.

 

[rvitko]

How deep is the skimmer submerged? Try pulling the pipe out a little. Make sure it is straight up and down. Also, make sure the bottom lid is on the right way, beveled edge forward and in all the way. It could just be the distrubance and all the hands in the tank time causing this issue.

 

[Slick Fork]

Seems to be back to normal,

Don't know whether my fidgeting cured it or prolonged the issue!! Thanks for the help

 

[Flatlander]

Try pulling the pipe out a little. [/B]

Thats the problem I had. Pipe was in to far and blocked the exit flow and the skimmer could not fill to capacity.

I also forgot about the rear exit, when trying in a tub full of rock. The skimmer back was facing the tub edge. Guess what happened. :lol:

I read someplace the rear exit is not needed Rodger, when used with the pipe but cant find the thread. Is that correct?

 

[rvitko]

That is true, you can plug the hole in the back but you cannot raise the water level as high if you do that and the velocity of water exiting the pipe can make for more bubbles. I would use a small rubber stopper to plug it if I was going to do that.

 

[Flatlander]

Thanks Rodger, I will set it up so it can run open then.