Protein skimmer problems

[entirelynutz]

I am having periodic problem with my protein skimmer. It is a Coralife Super Skimmer 125 that sits in the first stage of my sump. It seems everytime that I clean it out and restart it, it almost immediately fills with water and oozes out the top air hole. The adjustment for flow is set as low as it can be. Am I doing something wron when I put it back together? Also, every once in a while I am getting micro bubbles and I am using the bubble diffuser. Can anyone offer me any hints?

 

[oli5]

First off welcome to Reefcentral. The Coralife Super Skimmer 125 is a @#@%. I just so happen to have it myself and I know exactly what you're taking about. That is completely normal for it to go nuts after cleaning it. After about 2 or 3 days it should go away but it will do that every time you clean it. So it's best to just clean it whenever it's really needed because it will just overflow and be a pain. The bubble thing, I don't know about so sorry about that part. Good luck.

 

[schmuttis]

I'm curious if you contacted the company about this to see if they have any suggestions?

 

[jer77]

[welcome]

This is a common problem for these skimmers. Make sure the output of the skimmer is above water to stop back pressure. What is the water level height you have it in? Have you tried to tone back the pump with the ball valve? How far under the water is the pump? The instructions are very wrong, it should only be a few inches under the water.

 

[entirelynutz]

The output is above the water level. The skimmer sits in 13" of water. The top of the pump is 6" below the water level. I do not see any ball valve on the pump. The only adjustment I see anywhere is the red dial on top of the skimmer.