Bermuda Aquatics Rogue Wave skimmer problem

[haywood2]

Bought my BARW skimmer about 6 months ago and set it up. It is a HOB type with the pump in the tank. Anyways, at first it seemed like it was working pretty decent. Then it just goes haywire, the bubbles don't bubble up like they should, and whatever it skims out looks either clear or milky. There is never any dark sludge. I tried shortening the tubing going from the pump to the skimmer, so that the pump is now only about 2-3" below the water line, but still no luck. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[RAY HUNTER]

"whatever it skims out looks either clear or milky. There is never any dark sludge."

is the skimmer producing a good amount of micro bubbles? they should be so thick that you cannot see thru the skimmer. if not i would think the air in take is clogged with saltcreep.

 

[RAY HUNTER]

try removing the pump, air hose, and air valve... wash them in warm water. add a little declor to the water just to make sure you dont and clorine in the system. but beware as not to use tomuch declor because the skimmer will go in to overdrive, the declor causes the water to foam pretty bad if there is to much.

 

[haywood2]

Where is the air intake? (newbie)

 

[RAY HUNTER]

well that i'm not sure on you skimmer, does your skimmer have an airline going to the pump?

 

[RAY HUNTER]

i just googled this thing and it said the venturi will not clog, so try to do the set up steps again. i dont understand the dial thing does that control the flow of water or air?

 

[Ricky1066]

I have I think the same skimmer .I just got it it is producing clear foam for me to but inside the top is brown sludge My hose is 2 feet long I had to using the rio 1100 pump

 

[haywood2]

I believe I have the rio 1100 pump as well. There is no air line going to the pump, just the water tube and the power source.

 

[RAY HUNTER]

is the pump producing ample water? could the pump be stopped up some how? what does the dial do? the instructions said to open the dial and then turn it clockwise(?) does this adjust the water volume?

 

[haywood2]

YEah the pump is working fine. The dial will adjust the water flow, but I can't get it to dial in so that it stays where it should be. Sometimes it'll be fine, then I'll come home and the tray will be completely full with water. Thank god it can't overflow.

 

[RAY HUNTER]

you know you could have a faulty skimmer! i would call the company. how did you come to choose this type of skimmer? it the first i've heard of them. did they have good ratings?

 

[haywood2]

Basically I don't have a sump or anything, so I needed a HOB skimmer. I made the mistake of filling the tank before getting the skimmer. I had actually heard decent remarks about the skimmer before I bought it.

 

[RAY HUNTER]

did you get at you lfs or online? if at the lfs i would start there thursday. i don't now how your lfs is but mine won't sell it if they don't at least know about how it work and quirks.

 

[haywood2]

Nah I bought it offline. I'm gonna see if it produces anything decent since I just shortened up the tubing tonight. If it doesnt work well I'll give those guys a call and see what's up. thanks for the help guys.

 

[Ricky1066]

I bought my at something fishy .com It is supposed to be great for hob I have been emailing them bermuda aquatics all wek as it came with no directions.

Don't fool yourself They overflow Mine did today .I got home and it was leaking there are two holes on top of the flat cover it was coming out of there. They told me That it takes at least 2 weeks befroe it will give you the black foam?

Did yours come with the bubble buster? Mine did not

 

[haywood2]

Bubble buster? Not sure. As for directions I just hooked the pump up to some tubing, I want to say 1/4" inner diameter, then hooked the tubing up tot he skimmer. I then turned on the pump and voila.