Skimmer question

[johnson5585]

So I have a red sea berlin skimmer (venturi model) I got it second hand and it did not have a pump. I found that the original pumps for these are 525 GPH. I got a quiet one 2200 as it was rated for like 581 GPH. When I hooked it up and plugged it in water flows out of the water outlets but there is no foam or bubbles in the view chamber in the collection cup. I understand there is a break in period. Will there be nothing in the viewing chamber until it breaks in or is there just not enough water being pumped into it. Will it just take a couple of days for it to start foaming up into the tube leading to the collection cup?

 

[One Dumm Hikk]

This is going to sound dumb but did you put a venturi on the pump? Take a piece of airline and run it to the inlet of the pump. Just stick it in the opening where it draws water in. Then gently blow on it, see if it creates or helps the bubbles. If you have a venturi, then blowing on the air hose will tell you if its stopped up or not. If its neither, can you post a picture of what you have?

 

[DPalm3]

yea it has something to do with air not being able to be suctioned into the skimmer

 

[johnson5585]

The inlet of the skimmer has a venturi valve built in with an airline tube coming up. It is sucking air but not sure how much. I will check for clogs. This skimmer was just set up today so I am not sure if that would make a difference.

 

[johnson5585]

Also, If you look down into the tube leading to the collection cup you can see it foaming but it is about 5 inches from it reaching the top of the tube. If I cover the air inlet the bubbles stop completely so it is getting air. I will check the venturi valve after work tonight to see if it is somewhat clogged.
This is the skimmer I have.
https://www.dtpetsupplies.com/catalog/product_info.php?language=en&currency=USD&products_id=2747

 

[One Dumm Hikk]

Gently blow in the airline to the venturi. It may be that the venturi design isn't drawing enough air on its own.

 

[cap23244]

here is what you need to do save up a little money and buy a good skimmer. not another redsea brand for sure. to much troble

 

[johnson5585]

Well after running a few hours it seems to be foaming nicely. Just need to fine tune it now. Am going to add a valve on the outlet so I can adjust that end too. When I place my finger over it I am able to manually tune it from that end as well along with the venturi valve. So I am going to improve the design a little. LOL. I think I have this one figured out. But nevertheless this was a gift and I will make the best of it as it was very much appreciated, as it is far better than what I had which was nothing at all. Thanks for all of the input.

 

[One Dumm Hikk]

Glad you got it figured out. And hopefully it will continue to serve you for a very long time to come.