H&S Skimmer Club

[scarletknight06]

if you're worried the pump is pulling less air, check the flap on the aquabee

 

[djtodd]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8718964#post8718964 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scarletknight06
if you're worried the pump is pulling less air, check the flap on the aquabee

I know it isn't. This morning when I woke up, I had to put my finger over the air hose, then release to get it working again.

 

[Zoom]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8719413#post8719413 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by djtodd
I know it isn't. This morning when I woke up, I had to put my finger over the air hose, then release to get it working again.

Did you clean the small nipple by the pump where the small silicon hose attach?

 

[jmp998]

Is it possible that you haven't pushed the wedge pipe all the way down into the T? If it's not pushed in completely, the output will not be restricted even if you turn the wedge pipe and consequently your water level/bubble level will stay low.

 

[djtodd]

Heh. The wedge pipe is fine. I've gone out and bought a few gallons of vinegar to give the pump a good bath, but fore that...

I went out and bought a GenX 1500 pump to feed the skimmer. The Maxijet is the most likely point of failure.

So for now, I'm going to troubleshoot it one step at a time. I've installed the GenX, now I'm going to leave it for a day or two, then make a judgement call.

Thanks for all the help and suggestions thus far guys!

 

[djtodd]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8721412#post8721412 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by djtodd

I went out and bought a GenX 1500 pump to feed the skimmer. The Maxijet is the most likely point of failure.

Man, I hate adding new plastics to the system. 6 hours later and the bubbles are still collapsing. Hopefully it will have worked itself out by the morning.

 

[djtodd]

Further update, I know you all care so much.

Last night before bed I heard the Aquabee change pitch, and lo and behold it wasn't sucking air worth a damn again. Took it off, removed the air hose, and voila. It was full of salt. I let the entire pump and hose soak in 100% vinegar last night, then ran it for 10 minutes in 50/50, then ran it for a minute in hot tap water. Used a drill bit to scrape out the muck from the venturi.

Now, the venturi itself. Should there be something at the bottom? The bit doesn't go all the way to the other side of the tube*. It feels like there's plastic or something where the tube connector meets the pump intake. Is this normal, or does it need to be drilled out?

 

[Zoom]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8720187#post8720187 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zoom
Did you clean the small nipple by the pump where the small silicon hose attach?

I try to tell you but

 

[djtodd]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8727411#post8727411 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Zoom
I try to tell you but

Yep. You were very right. After replacing the feed pump, and it was still doing it, I went to the next thing. That was it. It was a little intimidating because the air hose was tie wrapped on. What if it won't stay on on it's own? Then I just thought, to heck with it.

Still concerned about the bottom of the air hose connector though.

 

[UCanDoIt]

I tried to tell you the same on your other thread too...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8708667#post8708667 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by UCanDoIt
..... Also, did you put a pipe cleaner or a drill bit to the air hose connection on the volute, sometimes that hole get a little clogged .....

Hopefully, this takes care of the problem. A new tie strap is just a few cents. But, the air hose should fit back snug, so no worries there. But when running the skimmer externally, it's safer to put a tie strap back on the air hose to the venturi.

 

[woodwrangler]

I recently picked up a used 200x2-F2001
This weekend I was doing a vinegar soak and cleaning on the bumble bees, and noticed the white impeller shaft on one of the pumps was broken in half, so it didn't go completely through the impeller. I have to assume this is effecting the performance of the pump? Do I need an entire new impeller set from finsreef, or can I find the shaft seperately somewhere?

 

[UCanDoIt]

If the shaft is still intact, it will NOT affect performance. But I'm sure that Brian will be more than happy to mail out a new shaft at no cost if your purchased the skimmer brand new. Just give them a call or email them a photo of your cracked shaft.

edit - oh, I misread your post, the shaft is broken all the way through. I wouldn't use that pump until you get the shaft replaced. you don't need a new impeller. if part of the shaft is still stuck inside the impeller, you just need something long enough to pust the broken piece out... maybe the shaft from the other impeller.

 

[McCrary]

Does someone know the footprint of a H&S250-2x1260. The measurements or a link would be greatly appreciated, as I can't seem to find the 250 online.

 

[UCanDoIt]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7937655#post7937655 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DC321
Approximately 21"L X 12"W. The actual footprint is a bit smaller, but the pumps stick out a bit.

 

[djtodd]

B.BNow, the venturi itself. Should there be something at the bottom? The bit doesn't go all the way to the other side of the venturi. It feels like there's plastic or something where the air hose connector meets the pump intake. Is this normal, or does it need to be drilled out?</b>

Anyone?

 

[UCanDoIt]

Give Fins Reef a call and they can help you with the clearance of the venturi air hose connection. Mine will clean clear to to the center of the venturi, so there's a little clearance after the point where the air hose connector meets the venturi.

edit - I use a pipe cleaner to clean my air hose connection.

 

[djtodd]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8728288#post8728288 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by UCanDoIt
Give Fins Reef a call and they can help you with the clearance of the venturi air hose connection. Mine will clean clear to to the center of the venturi, so there's a little clearance after the point where the air hose connector meets the venturi.

Apparently there's like a nipple or it tapers on the inside.

Many thanks to Fins Reef for taking the 5 minutes to check that for me. It's very appreciated.

 

[djtodd]

Day 2, still no joy. I've upped the feed flow, and using the chart posted earlier it's at about 170GPH. Just about exactly where I want it.

I also shortened the output drain so that it's the absolute minimum length horizontally (9"), and I'm just letting it waterfall back into the sump.

I'm starting to give up hope that it'll ever kick back in.

 

[scarletknight06]

did you check the flap on the pump's impeller?

 

[djtodd]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8736978#post8736978 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by scarletknight06
did you check the flap on the pump's impeller?

Yup. The Aquabee is working just as it should. I haven't had a single gurgle, and I've constantly heard the "clunka clunka" noise from the air hose that means it's pulling air properly.