Skimmer isn't skimming

[ncox38]

I have an Octopus 200 recirc on a 125 (155ish total volume) and it isn't producing hardly any skimmate. Depending on how i tune the ball valve it either floods the skimmer or drops too low in the neck. When I have it, what appears to be, tuned correctly it will mushroom over the top for a day or so then the water level will drop too low in the neck and gunk will just build up in the neck. Am I over skimming? Is my supply pump (mag 2.5) fluctuating?

I have a rainford goby, diamond goby, cherub angel, 2 clowns, and a bangaii cardinal. Light bioload. I had 2 rainfords and 2 cardinals but i think some red mystery crab is taking out my small fish....

 

[Nanook]

Sump evaporation? Feeding? Or, is the needlewheel getting clogged? Not sure really, just guessing.

 

[capncapo]

Is it getting plenty of air Nick?

Might take a look an see if you may need to clean the air intake.

 

[kpc01]

I have a ER that seems to do the same thing. I will get it set where I think it looks good and it will either overflow or go way down in the neck. I have a high load and still no good skimmate(it just gets in the neck) I'd be interested to hear what you find if you get it working.

 

[skhle]

if cleaned not work, injecting air by air pump it works with my coralife.

 

[ncox38]

I shut it off before i posted this Sunday night. I turned it back on last night and there is a noticeable difference in the amount of bubbles being produced. I think it might have something to do with my mesh mod. I will take that out tonight and see what happens. I checked the air intake and it seemed ok, but i blew in it just to make sure.

 

[Pkelley228]

I was recently having a similar problem. Soaked the pump and air intake tube in vinegar for a little while, rinsed it all in ro water and as soon as I hooked it back up it started working like a champ.

 

[StupidsReef]

Nick you problem is the Mesh-Mod. Lonnies did the same thing for a while and the needle wheel quit working. The magnet got so hot that it swelled inside the pump housing and couldn't turn. He bought new Needle wheels (not cheap either) placed them in the pumps and it's been working better than ever(well like new again). I didn't Mesh-Mod my Octopuss, the only Mods I did to mine was the O-ring and drilled out the air tube to the point it was so thin it started to turn a slight white in color. My old ASM that I mesh mod'ed does not do this yet but I look for it to at some point. The mesh throws off the balance causing them to hit the walls and become really hot.

 

[latazyo]

stupid, what pump is on the octopuses?

I think that might be happening in my ER (I think they use Sedras, right?)

my pump is difficult to restart when it randomly quits

 

[StupidsReef]

The Octopuses use's a pump called the Octopus. It's really an Ocean runner with there sticker on it though. I don't know what ER use's but I'm almost sure that it's a far better pump than a Sedra. I don't find the Sedra to be that great of a pump, not saying it's junk just not that good of a pump from what I've researched on. I would assume that any pump you Mesh-Mod would do the same thing in time, Like I said it throws them off balance. These pump run by polarized magnetics or Electric magnets in which need to be balanced properly in order run smoothly.

 

[latazyo]

so in your opinion, un-mesh modding is the way to go?

 

[StupidsReef]

Yes.

 

[Chelsey]

trim down the mesh some