Help with DIY air driven skimmer

[yellowtruck75]

I need some help with my 6' tall, 3" wide air driven skimmer. Its hard to tell from this picture but the skimmer is in the middle. I use a connection off my return pump(Mag 18) to run the skimmer. The water is introduced near the top of the skimmer where it falls and exits the bottom. The exit comes out of the bottom and is discharged at equal level to the water entry. The wooden air stone is in the bottom and run off of a Dynamaster 2 Air Pump (Supreme).

The airline runs down the center of the nexk to the bottom. The problem is that I don't seem to get much foam out of the skimmer. The only time I see a great performance is when I pour water do top of the collection cup. Any ideas on how to improve performance? I have seen these designs work great before so I know it has the ability.

 

[H20ENG]

Hold on while I hook the computer to my widescreen tv to read your post J/K

My first thoughts are that the skimmer is way too tall for your air pump. If you are still getting plenty of airflow at that depth, try to raise the water column in your skimmer.
Also, check that your airstones are still good. Did the skimmer produce well before, and not anymore?
Chris

 

[yellowtruck75]

The airstones aren't the problem because I change them every few weeks. Any ideas on a different air pump that will quarentee bubbles at that depth?

 

[smjtkj]

Try slowing the feed water to just 200 gph or a little less. Also I would raise the water level to just under the transition.
Mike

 

[zapata41]

my bet is that you are getting very little airflow at the depth that your stones are at, assuming they are down at the bottom of the skimmer. might try looking int a bigger air pump. i just licked up a Hakko 60 air pump and absolutely love it. i do have a no name chinese brand linear piston air pump for sale for cheap, its loud but puts out a good deal of air.

Tim