Ready to throw skimmer through the window

mine was doing the same thing and i found the the connection between the air line and the volute on the pump was getting clogged. i actualy had to cut the tube offf and then clean it off the pump, but once it was cleaned out it worked good again
 
I considered using the CSS 220 I had for target practice, but in the end it was not worth the price of a bullet. CSS=JUNK !!!!!!!
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14483814#post14483814 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rachelcb80
narwal, your post does make sense and I understand what you're saying. I've been able to tinker with and fix the problems of this skimmer thus far but now it's to the point of not producing any air bubbles. I took the pump out, cleaned it all up, made sure the airline wasn't obstructed at all but it only wants to momentarily work, then go back to flat water. I suppose just like cars, this cheap, not so fancy, hunk of junk could be repaired and made to go from point A to point B the same as a new Corvette but I've decided I'd like to get to point B with less headache and in more style.

As a total side note, does anyone know why my skimmer is doing that? (Only momentarily producing bubbles, then not taking in any air and circulating only plain water)
Click to expand...

have you pulled the venturi out of the volute to check it....a very common problem with the CSS's is that they are prone to saltcreep plugging the air inlet...i have also found that the air vent on the outlet tube needs to be cleaned as it ges plugged with saltcreep too...and no vent will cause the skimmer to burp like crazy, could effect bubble production too i suppose..
 
I don't know what space you have but you might want to look at some of the skimmers that incorporate the pump in the body.

IMG_4075.jpg


Like this.

ATI,Bubble King,MSX,and Coralvue have them. I think Warner Marine will soon have them as well.
 
BS, overflow is a problem I had quite often with the CSS when I first set my tank up. Auto top off and just learning where to set the skimmer resolved most of the overflow issue. It still happened a couple more times but not as often as in the beginning.

Nanoreefwanabe, I pulled the whole pump out of my sump, took the venturi off, scrubbed it and ran it all in a bucket of hot vinegar water for several hours. I made sure the air inlet was clear and the airline tubing was also clear. The air vent on the outlet tube is clear as well. Air will get drawn in for just a few seconds, then stop again.

Dave, I didn't know there were skimmers that had the pump incorporated with the body. Are they more difficult to service and tend to? I will look around online today and see what I can find available like that.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14485411#post14485411 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by just dave
I don't know what space you have but you might want to look at some of the skimmers that incorporate the pump in the body.

IMG_4075.jpg


Like this.

ATI,Bubble King,MSX,and Coralvue have them. I think Warner Marine will soon have them as well.
Click to expand...

That skimmer in the picture is the warner marine, just has the Asian brand sticker on it still.
 
That picture is a JNS and may be the Warner Marine if they decide to bring it over but I know what you're saying.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14486433#post14486433 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rachelcb80


Dave, I didn't know there were skimmers that had the pump incorporated with the body. Are they more difficult to service and tend to? I will look around online today and see what I can find available like that.
Click to expand...


Of course they will be more difficult in regards to accessing the pump but that doesn't make it a difficult procedure necessarily, just MORE difficult compared to other conventional layouts. The MSX and Coralvue pumps are under the skimmer body compared to being in the body but the small footprint is still present.
 
+1.. I was just going to recommend a Tunze skimmer. They don't take up that much room, and are in your budget. I have the nano version on my 30 cube and love it
 
I went ahead and purchased the MSX 250. It seems the general concensus is it's a decent skimmer, not top of the line but definitely better than what I've got right now (which is technically nothing since my CSS is still not taking in any air). It's questionable if it will fit in my sump but I'll give it my best to cram it in there. I may have to do some baffle cutting and repositioning. Hopefully not though.

Thanks everyone for your time and input!
 
GSMguy, I'm hoping to notice an improvement in my tank with the better skimmer addition. I'm not fighting anything terrible, just a little cyano and at times a patch or two of hair algae. I've decreased my feeding, decreased light time, tinkered with tank flow and do weekly water changes. I've long suspected I wasn't getting much good out of my skimmer. Hoping this will be the missing piece to getting a more pristine looking tank!
 
I have an older Tunze model 9010 and am very pleased with Tunze customer support. Tunze has a new $393 "plug & play" skimmer, the 9410, which does not require constant readjustments. Although I have never tried the 9410, I would consider it first because of the excellent support and because constant fiddling is a prime reason for skimmer dissatisfaction. A description & a picture are near the bottom of this webpage: http://www.tunze.com/149.html?&L=1&C=US&user_tunzeprod_pi1[predid]=-infoxunter055.

EDIT:
Ooops! I see that you have already made a decision. Good luck!
 
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