problem with euro reef protein skimmer

[cutnup]

I have had my euroreef skimmer for about 3 years now w/no problems. Well I noticed that the air line tubing had a little bit of that nasty brown stuff that skimmers collect, in it. So i cleaned it out and now the skimmer just overflows into the collection cup. Any idea how to fix this?

 

[moondoggy4]

What did you use clean it?

 

[supercharger]

tracking...same issue

 

[cutnup]

I just rubbed the airline hose together and then put the hose in the water to suck water through it.

 

[moondoggy4]

How bout boiling some RO water and then put the air tube in it. This usually cleans the air tube and the volute.

 

[tatkinson]

I would def say that your air line is blocked. Once a month I put mine in the sink with a diluted mixture of muriatic acid (can get in the paint dept of Lowes or HD) and run it for a half hour or so with the tube in the water to clean the skimmer and venturi. I then run it in RO for another 30 to rinse and it's amazing how much better it always skims after a good cleaning. Mine's a ER too and I love it but a good acid bath works wonders.

 

[cutnup]

I'll try but this thing is still making bubbles. I will pot when I do it to let you know if it works. Probably won't be till saturday till I get a chance. Oh BTW I also love my ER skimmer. Pulls way more skimmate than any of my friends skimmers. And the one I have is an old school ER skimmer. This is the best pic of it I could find. (not in action)

 

[tygger]

Since it was prob clogged, you might have progressively tuned it as the tube got more clogged. Now that you cleared out the tube, more air is coming in, so you prob just need to re-tune it.

 

[cutnup]

No matter how low I bring the output pipe it still overflows. I am hoping there is a blockage before I start cutting stuff. I may try a vinegar solution tonight. I will have to wait for the weekend before I get the muratic acid.

 

[fishoutawater]

I got tired of cleaning my venturi hose and plumbed it into my collection cup several weeks ago and it has ran flawlessly since.

 

[cutnup]

Do you have a pic?

 

[bradbmbj]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14846006#post14846006 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by tygger
Since it was prob clogged, you might have progressively tuned it as the tube got more clogged. Now that you cleared out the tube, more air is coming in, so you prob just need to re-tune it.

I agree, It should settle after a few days

 

[cutnup]

Thats the thing I have never tuned this skimmer. It always worked perfect with the "tube" all the way down. I am stumped. Hopefully the muratic acid bath helps...

 

[Alaskan Reefer]

I have a similar problem when I don't keep up with venturi maintenance. When it starts to "underbubble" I just take out the pump, soak in vinegar a bit, then go to town on the venturi hole with a paper clip. The clog in the air intake isn't necessarily in the tubing -- mine clogs with salt creep on the inside of the venturi hole after a few months. Runs like a champ once I get it cleaned up.