No bubbles in my skimmer

[jaybfresh]

I did a waterchange tonight, and after turning the skimmer back on, I have no bubbles. Its a Precision Marine needlewheel pump. I cleaned it and checked for clogs but everything on the outside and the impeller look good. Anything specific I should check for? I did notice a drop in performance the last couple weeks.

A few loose granules of carbon escaped my reactor and I've seen a small amount floating in the sump, but they shouldnt have been able to make it to the skimmer chamber to damage the pump.

I go on vacation on Tuesday so I want to get the skimmer situation fixed ASAP. Anyone have a skimmer for sale

 

[superkat]

jdoenumber 2?

 

[jaybfresh]

Did a quick search to find similar problems, and I was able to "blow start" the pump. But the venturi looked clear when I had it out to clean. Where could the clog be??

 

[superkat]

inside...where the magnet prop is? had a carbon reactor HOB do that to me when some sand got stuck inside.

 

[jdoenumber2]

I will sell anything for the right price.

 

[Cptn Spaulding]

did you make sure you air tubing is clean? sometimes salt creep clogs the tubing and you need to clean it out by inserting the end to some clean warm fresh water...

 

[Johnny C]

Do you dose B-Ionic?

 

[Cptn Spaulding]

jon you made me curious now... what does b-ionic have to do with skimmer performance... (i dose b-ionic)

 

[jfl14609]

if you dose b ioic in the same area as the skimmer it can creat calcium build ups. I would really check the air tube on the venturi. you didn't either raise the water level, lower the skimmer, or cut the veturi tube did you?

 

[Henry Colf]

Jay, the reason they said to blow start it was that right at the point where the air meets the water is that you can get a build up of salt creep. This will block the air inlet and you get no bubbles. I would suggest removing the pump and disassemble again and do a visual inspection to make sure there isn't anything lodged in there. I've actually had to scrape off the salt build up with a small eyeglass screwdriver cause hot water wouldn't get it off. JME

 

[shawna1972]

Jay ..... I think you beat me with tank problems this year lol Im kidding
Yeah salt creep builds up on mine also and Ill notice its not really skimming as good Its usually the air intake as everyone said, or if your sump is like mine I have sponges that seem to get through the housing on my pump and slow it down so I end up having to take it apart once a month and clean it out.

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

can you

can you

mod the airline so it takes moist air from the top of the collection cup? (A common solution to this problem.)

 

[Henry Colf]

you could do that but if you clean it once a month youd be all set....

 

[talon4x4]

Jay, the reason they said to blow start it was that right at the point where the air meets the water is that you can get a build up of salt creep. This will block the air inlet and you get no bubbles. I would suggest removing the pump and disassemble again and do a visual inspection to make sure there isn't anything lodged in there. I've actually had to scrape off the salt build up with a small eyeglass screwdriver cause hot water wouldn't get it off. JME

+1

Search long and hard and I'm sure you'll find some salt buildup somewhere. I had the same issue. Hot water and vinegar just didn't cut it. I used a paperclip.

 

[pascal32]

I've been reading that skimmers should be cleaned with a 50/50 vinegar solution running for 24 hours. probably wouldn't hurt to take the airline off and clean the entry with a needle or something of the sort.

 

[Henry Colf]

Also if you have any snails in your sump they can and will get into your pumps and this can also clog your air intake....