HELP... my skimmer broke :-(

[kimbertent]

i have a big problem. My protein skimmer just stopped working on me. It is no longer creating bubbles at the top. I do not know what to do. I definitely need it because I have 9 fish!!Do you think i need a new pump? It is moving water, just not fast and with bubbles like it used to. How long is the fish tank ok for? Do I need to get a new one right away?

here is a picture of how it is not making bubbles.

here's the pump...can you see if there is anything wrong

Thanks..any help is greatly appreciated

 

[don954]

check for an obstruction in the air tube, and make sure the end is not in the water. That was my 1st skimmer, it wasn't very efficient but it works... If you still have the valve on the end of the air hose, just remove it. Check that no crud got in the air intake on the pump too.

 

[kimbertent]

Thanks a lot don I shall go try that.

 

[kimbertent]

i took off the valve..it didnt work..still no bubbles.
I even replaced it with a different airline tube. still nothing. :-(
it is working there is just no bubbles...i cannot figure out why?

 

[Treeman]

A lot of times it is the air hose that is clogged. While it is down, take the pump and clean it. I think it is a Rio. Sometimes the magnet gets fouled and they don't turn like they should. You can use an old toothbrush. Just make sure you put it back together the same way you took it apart

 

[Treeman]

The air line could be clogged at the pump.

 

[kimbertent]

thanks for all the help..as my boyfriend takes apart the pump..anyone know how long my tank 75g can go w/o a protein skimmber..just in case we can't figure out what is wrong??

 

[Treeman]

You should be able to go a couple days. Just don't feed very much and do a water change. I know tanks that were without a skimmer for a week during the hurricanes.

 

[kimbertent]

ok thanks that is good to know.
yes it is a rio600
i have cleaned out the pump..and still nothing. all the airlines are free. the pump doesnt look as powerful as it used to. do pumps just randomly go bad and stop working the same?

anymore suggestions..or am i just going to have to replace it?

 

[kimbertent]

GOOD NEWS. it's fixed. i posted this same post in another post and apparently it won't cause bubbles if you put it in fresh water, only salt. what happened was it was originally not working in the salt..so i took it out but was only retesting it in the freshwater of the bathroom sink, and continued to think it wasnt working.

i dont know if that made sense...but after cleaning it and reputting it in salt water...it is working perfectly. thanks for all the help..i guess all it needed was a good cleaning.

 

[thesaent14]

lol i was about to tell you that to in the first pic you can tell there is bubles but for fresh water

 

[Treeman]

OH! Man that is to funny!

Hope to see you at the next meeting.

 

[Fish2reef]

From time to time take some of your RO water in a cup or container dip the airline and keep the skimmer running it will suck the water and flush the salt out of the line.

 

[Ludwigia73]

Add a little vinegar to the RO water, just make sure to rinse the skimmer and pump very well before putting it back on the tank. The vinegar will help clean out any calcium deposits. Also, everyone was telling you to clean the airline, more importantly use a tiny wire to clean out the little thingy that the airling pops onto. Those get clogged fast, too. I know everyone else knew that, but maybe it wasn't communicated.

 

[kimbertent]

thanks everyone! i will be doing the cleanings quite often now. and i will be attending the meeting on tuesday!