Skimmer Help

[TomStill]

Hello I am having trouble with my skimmer. I bought a skimmer from someone off craigslist and I tested it to see if it works and all it seems to do is circulate the water through the skimmer and out the return line. I am new to the hobby, but Im pretty sure I should see some bubbles and foaming on the top of the water. The pump has an air line on it, and I make sure that it is out of the water, and still nothing. Any ideas?

Also, I dont know what type of skimmer this is, there are no markings. here is a pic. Please help!

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/191781myskimmer.JPG

 

[cczarnik]

What happens if you blow into the airline to force air into the pump?

 

[NeveSSL]

That looks like a Coralife Super Skimmer to me.

I have one and what Chuck is getting at is that the air input is probably clogged.

Try blowing into it for sure and see what happens. Also, keep in mind it will only make tons of tiny bubbles in salt water (ask me how I know ).

Brandon

 

[firehazzard]

That is a coralife skimmer I had one but it was bigger. The air hose should hook up to the power head. Here is a link that has the skimmer. You can tell more about how you should set it up by looking at the pic. http://www.petmountain.com/show_pro...e=froogle&utm_medium=datafeed&utm_term=504042

 

[NeveSSL]

Wow... we posted at about as close to the exact same time as you can get! Weird!

Brandon

 

[firehazzard]

You know what they say about great minds! They post at the same time!

 

[TomStill]

thanks guys for your help, I will try forcing air and see what happens

 

[TomStill]

it seems that there was some thing at the end of the air hose, does anything attach to the other end, the one that isnt connected to the pump. Maybe an airstone?

 

[NeveSSL]

Usually its a little box that helps to silence the air flow.

Brandon

 

[TomStill]

Is it necessary?

 

[NeveSSL]

Nope, but holy cow will you miss it.

It truly reduces the noise by a significant amount. At least on mine it does.

Brandon

 

[TomStill]

Yeah. I am trying to find one online. I am going to try and call the manufacturer

 

[NeveSSL]

You could check the Critter. I got a new impeller for my CSS from them. Assuming still that it is a CSS.

Brandon

 

[TomStill]

Yeah it is a css. It it the 220 gallon model.

 

[TomStill]

I am missing the air-inlet silencer on my Coralife Super Skimmer. I cant find a replacement part for this. All this does is make the pump quiter. Is there anything else I can use, maybe an airstone?

 

[cczarnik]

I think an airstone may block the flow too much, but you might be able to find an air filter for an aquarium pump. Or chop off a pc of soft packing foam, bore a hole in it and glue an airstone nipple in it. Prob not too hard to make if you get creative. Basically you want free flow with very subtle diffusion.

 

[Angela Short]

Try googling air silencers, I have seen tons of them DYIed but have no clue off the top of my head. Try asking for one in the DYI section or try searching RC with this link... Bookmark this link it comes in handy lots of times...



http://www.reefcentral.com/search.php?menu=11




I found this one a few posts down (7) and it looks as good as any
http://www.wamas.org/forums/index.php?showtopic=21145&hl=silencer

 

[andywe]

I have one. the part you are missing is the air-inlet silencer.

Here is a link to a pdf of the user manual that ships with the unit:

http://www.aquarium-supply.biz/v/vspfiles/V4_Backup/pdf/super_skimmer.pdf

I would call Rob at Coralife tech support. He is touted as being helpful and knowledgeable and if he can't solve it (he was referred to me for lighting) he can certainly steer you the right direction. 800-255-4527. (given to me by ebay fish)

 

[andywe]

Tom,

I am having 2 air-inlet silencers shipped to me. One has your name on it. Get me your contact info in PM so that when it comes in I can get it to you.

 

[TomStill]

That's awesome! Thanks andy fir thinking of me. I'm sending you a pm with my info.