Problems with EuroReef RS-135

[cainchristy]

Hello everyone. I have a month old RS-135 protein skimmer, with a couple of problems. The main issue is when I plug it in (after having it unplugged for any amount of time) it overflows the collection cup within a few seconds. The second problem is after plugging it back in, it sounds like its going to blow, wether this is normal or not I don't know. After a minute or two the skimmer settles down but I constantly have to adjust it because of the overflow problem. Does anyone else have this problem with there EuroReef skimmer? The company has been of very little help, they won't answer emails or call me back, so hopefully someone here can help me. Thanks everyone.

 

[sjm817]

How deep is the water level where the slimmer is? Is the water level constant? Does the sump level rise when the skimmer is off?

Keep calling. Sometimes it is hard to get a hold of them, but once you do, they will help out.

 

[cainchristy]

Water level is at a constant 8 inches, the skimmer sits in a seperate area from the rest of the sump. The water level does not rise because I keep the rest of the sump lower than the area the skimmer is in. BTW thanks, I'll gladly listen to any other ideas, I am completely out.

 

[sjm817]

Dont know...maybe posting some pics will show something.

 

[cainchristy]

Ok, I tried taking a picture but it doesn't show enough, so I'll describe the setup. I have a 20 gallon as my sump, it is split in half, one side houses the skimmer the other has my return and some macroalgae. I have the overflow running into the skimmer "area" of the sump, the overflow has a "mesh sock" to prevent bubbles being sucked in by the skimmer. The skimmer output is in the same area as the skimmer, this also has a "mesh sock" preventing the microbubbles from being sucked in by the skimmer. There is nothing preventing flow through the skimmer or to the skimmer. So to sum it up, the skimmer is in a 12" by 12" area, with all of the precautions taken to prevent any microbubbles entering the skimmer, there is no drop in water level, or raise for that matter, and I am still confused as to if this is a normal issue or something unique to my skimmer. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[iamquockie]

mine used to do that, but what I did is just left the collection cup off for 5 or 10 min and then put it back on. problem solved, at least for me. My pump also sounded like a freight train trying to stop, I figured out that there was too much slime/algae on the magnet of the shaft and also a fragment of rock in the NW itself, possibly throwing the impellar off balanced. cleaned it, picked out the fragment and its normal again.

 

[cainchristy]

Thanks. Well the skimmer being brand new I didn't think I would have problems with it. I will clean the pump to see if the, as you put it "freight train" stops. I do not think this overflow issue should be a normal thing, what if your power blinks off and on, your skimmate ends up in your tank? Well thanks again, hopefully this will get resolved at some point.

 

[Billy Rocket]

I have the same (2 month old) skimmer with the same troubles. I was not smart enough to figure it out, and not smart enough to ask others ,so i fixed it real good. i got a new skimmer. Tunze 9015. Working great, quiet, small, I love it so far.