Protein skimmer won't bubble over

P

PD Monkey

New member
I just set up a new to me (purchased used) 110 gallon tank. IT came with a G3 protein skimmer. I've had it up and running for a month. I can't not get it to fill the top with scum/bubbles. I've played with the tube by turning it and moving it up/down. There are bubbles in the body of the skimmer and going up in the center of the cup (top) but it isn't bubbling over into the cup (or foaming). I have not taken the pump apart yet. I might this weekend but I don't know what I would be looking for?? Does the impeller get worn out and make the right size or amount of bubbles?

The overflow tube is pretty loud (splashing water) and seems to have a lot of flow.
 
If I did have to replace it, what is a good replacement? I seem to hear about the Reef Octopus a lot. I quickly looked on ebay and there were a few cheap skimmers. But I am a believer that you get what you pay for.
It would go in the sump. 110 gallon DT. fish only for now but it will have corals at some point.
 
PD Monkey said:
I just set up a new to me (purchased used) 110 gallon tank. IT came with a G3 protein skimmer. I've had it up and running for a month. I can't not get it to fill the top with scum/bubbles. I've played with the tube by turning it and moving it up/down. There are bubbles in the body of the skimmer and going up in the center of the cup (top) but it isn't bubbling over into the cup (or foaming). I have not taken the pump apart yet. I might this weekend but I don't know what I would be looking for?? Does the impeller get worn out and make the right size or amount of bubbles?

The overflow tube is pretty loud (splashing water) and seems to have a lot of flow.
Click to expand...

I had that happen once with my skimmer. Usually a good cleaning can fix it. Take the skimmer out of your sump and put it into your kitchen sink. Fill the sink with warm water mixed with some vinegar. (fill only to the correct level for the skimmer) Turn the skimmer on and let the water run through it for about 10 or so minutes. Drain, rinse the skimmer and then try it back in your tank.
If that does not work then you will have to pull it apart and check the impeller. Sometimes you get junk that gets into the hole where the magnet is located. (which makes the impeller go slow or stop...ect...)
If your getting some bubbles, then I'm assuming the air tube is ok.
 
I agree with slowjazz, try cleaning it out with vinegar. I went overkill and let mine run in a brute can with vinegar water for 3 days or so and then rinsed it out really well. In my case, I bought a brand new reef octopus and I wasn't getting the skimmate that I knew the skimmer could produce. The vinegar bath worked like a charm for me, skimmer now is working great.
 
You mentioned that you do have bubbles in the body and going up the neck, are they the real small bubbles that look like foam? Or are they real big bubbles? What is the bio load of the tank? There may not be that much to pull out with a newer system.
 
Ratpack said:
You mentioned that you do have bubbles in the body and going up the neck, are they the real small bubbles that look like foam? Or are they real big bubbles? What is the bio load of the tank? There may not be that much to pull out with a newer system.
Click to expand...

This is what I was wondering too. The bubble are very small/fine. The tank is about a month old and has 2 damsels. Those have only been in the tank for 5 days. The water is clean. I didn't know if there had to be "stuff" for the bubble to trap for them to flow over into the cup. If the water is clean, will the bubbles simply pop?

Either way, I will run the skimmer in vinegar just for the exercise. Can't hurt.
 
The smaller bubbles the better it will increase surface area. Cleaning is a good idea regardless but I'm thinking your tank is not dirty enough yet :).
 
Something else to bear in mind is,if your set up is new,the water is too clean to produce the scum that bubbles up and over into the cup,wait a couple weeks,it will come.
 
Well I ran the pump in water/vinegar mixture for about an hour. It is pumping out bubbles but they are still not overflowing into the cup. Hopefully it's because my water is to clean.
I just added a CuC from reefcleaners. Not sure if that will create enough "stuff" to make the bubbles scum up. I'll keep an eye on it and post results.

Oh yeah, I also took the pump/impeller apart and cleaned everything. All the parts looked good and not showing abnormal wear.
 
PD Monkey said:
I just set up a new to me (purchased used) 110 gallon tank. IT came with a G3 protein skimmer. I've had it up and running for a month. I can't not get it to fill the top with scum/bubbles. I've played with the tube by turning it and moving it up/down. There are bubbles in the body of the skimmer and going up in the center of the cup (top) but it isn't bubbling over into the cup (or foaming). I have not taken the pump apart yet. I might this weekend but I don't know what I would be looking for?? Does the impeller get worn out and make the right size or amount of bubbles?

The overflow tube is pretty loud (splashing water) and seems to have a lot of flow.
Click to expand...

doesn't sound like that there is an issue with the skimmer, sounds like it isn't tuned. control the water flow by either the down pipe (spin it) or the ball valve that should be on it. I have a new edition of the same skimmer but they don't change them that much.

I can get mine to blow water like a volcano through the cup if I wanted to. .lol.
 
Remember that skimmers need a breaking period of 2-5 days before they usually pull DOC from the water....mine went a week....
 
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