Skimmer not skimming???

[Tangweed]

Hi! I've run into a problem with my skimmer. It's not pulling any tea colored stuff. I've had my tank and skimmer up and running for about 7 to 8 months. In the last 2 weeks I started to get some red hair on my sand base but no where else. I noticed then that my skimmer wasn't working. I figure that's why I'm getting the red hair. I took my skimmer out of my sump and cleaned it, I checked the air line and there are no blocks. Skimmer is a Current Fission. If anyone has any ideas please help.

Nirates 0

Phos 0

PH 8.1

Temp 76.5

 

[ihavtats29]

maybe a larger pump will fix your problem, the current skimmer uses a paddel wheel pump, id change it out with a needle wheel pump, i read some reviews on this skimmer and most replied using a larger pump to get it to work, you want about 3x the fow of your tank thru your skimmer. i use a octopus 3000 on my diy skimmer

 

[ihavtats29]

forgot the lower the bio load the less there is to skim

 

[Tangweed]

I don't get it, it worked great until 2 weeks ago. Any ideas on a new skimmer?

 

[ihavtats29]

there are allot of skimmers out there, remember you get what you pay for. i built my skimmer because i didnt want to spend hundreds on a skimmer because its made of acrilic and the brand name, if i were you id just replace the pump with something better find a needle wheel pump with with a little more gph rating, the skimmer body its self is not going to go bad only the mechanical parts will.

 

[Jane]

I'm not familiar with your kind of skimmer but I had a similar thing happen to mine not too long ago. It stopped skimming - I took it out and cleaned it. It still wasn't skimming. Just as I was about to go out and buy another I cleaned it one more time and found a very small piece of calcium lodged in the sprayer. Once I got this out it has worked great. (I don't know how I missed that little piece the first time and it was so small but once it came out it has been working like brand new) Try cleaning once more since you had luck with it in the beginning.

 

[jubjub]

have you thoroughly cleaned it out with vinegar...i have a cheapo skimmer as well and it seems like ever 2-3 weeks i have to pull it out clean it real well....and blaam works like a top

 

[Tangweed]

Anyone have some advice on a new skimmer, names and places to get one?

 

[nmbeg]

I am running into the same trouble too... a few days ago it just stopped skimming....

AquaCV 240 I think....

I guess I should try to clean it.

 

[Tangweed]

I think my skimmer mite be getting better. I'll give it a couple more days.