Skimmer Issues

[ClamIAm]

So I got a used skimmer of some kind from a store that was going out of business. I can only make out the word "quest" on what is left of the label. The problem with it is that with any pump I have tried, the water overflows and fills the collection cup almost immediately when I plug it in. I'm not a protein skimmer wiz, so I'm not sure what could be wrong here. It is generating plenty of bubbles, so I feel like maybe I should try a less powerful pump. Maybe someone who knows more about this kind of thing can give me some advice?

 

[luke33]

Sounds like you need to lower the water level in your skimmer and do you have a pic?

 

[ClamIAm]

Do you mean lower the water level in the sump? That is pretty logical, not sure why I didn't think of it. What kind of pic would be helpful?

 

[luke33]

Thats not what i meant but if your sump water is 8+ inches, it may be to much high for the skimmer. There should be a water level adjuster on your skimmer on one side with a sponge to keep the microbubbles out. If that is up to high, your riser tube will be overflowing with bubbles. A pic would be very helpful if you could just take it of your skimmer in your sump.

 

[ClamIAm]

There are a couple of pictures. I'm not sure what the water level adjuster is

 

[luke33]

Wow, the water adjuster is the second pic on the right side next to the pump intake, i'm not to sure you'll be able to adjust the water level on this one. Your pro going to have to adjust teh water level in your sump, lower it until it works, unless anyone else has any suggestions.

 

[kodyboy]

Luke,
Could a gate valve be added to the output to control the water level in the skimmer itself?

 

[ClamIAm]

I'm not really sure how old this is, but there isn't much to adjust. Oddly, what ended up working out was putting a shorter tube on the inside connecting to the output. It appears to be running smoothly after I did that though.

 

[kodyboy]

interesting......................... I have never seen one exactly like that before.

 

[Rwinfrey]

maybe you could put it above your sump and put a gate valve on it

 

[luke33]

Or simplify the whole thing and get a short stand for it ; )

 

[Rwinfrey]

this is reefing nothing is simple:lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[Twan013]

with the way the PVC fittings look, seems to me like its a homemade deal... or just a really really old school version... i wonder if back in the day they made "build your own skimmer" kits??

 

[luke33]

IMO, you'll have to build your own water leveler, take off teh pvc and chunk it and DIY. Or like i said, get a stand for your skimmer and keep teh water level at a constant once you get to the right level

 

[ClamIAm]

Yah I'm not really sure where this came from originally, but it looks like some DIY work was done with it. I guess you get what you pay for