Skimmer stopped skimming... why?!?

[kyle1284]

for some reason my ASM G-1x stopped skimming.... i put a cleaned filter sock in the sump and it has not skimmed for the past 2 days does anyone know why?

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

How did you clean the filter sock? Was it the first time you cleaned it this way?

 

[BLKTANG]

take the venturi off the pump,& clean the vent hole.

 

[TTU_Reefer]

is it producing tiny bubbles high in the skimmer body still?

 

[kyle1284]

i put it in the washer with out bleach or detergent... how do i take the venturi off the pump? what would cause this? thanks for the quick replies BTW!!

 

[BLKTANG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14899878#post14899878 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by kyle1284
i put it in the washer with out bleach or detergent... how do i take the venturi off the pump? what would cause this? thanks for the quick replies BTW!!

The piece with the clear hose will come off of the pump,then use a toothpick or something to clean the saltcreep out.

Is there NO bubbles in the body of the skimmer?If this is whats its doin then its the vent hose.

 

[kyle1284]

There are a ton of bubbles in it but they are popping before they want to spill over into the collectio cup....It was pulling nasty stuff outta the water with the otherb filter sock?

 

[kyle1284]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14899870#post14899870 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TTU_Reefer
is it producing tiny bubbles high in the skimmer body still?

It apears that the are all bursting a half inch to a inch before the edge of the collection cup and the bubbles are bigger...

 

[BLKTANG]

lift up on the up,& down tube.The gray tube that had the black sponge on it goes Up,-n-Down like a 64 Impala.

Up= Wet Skim
Down=Dry Skim

 

[kyle1284]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14900121#post14900121 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BLKTANG
lift up on the up,& down tube.The gray tube that had the black sponge on it goes Up,-n-Down like a 64 Impala.

Up= Wet Skim
Down=Dry Skim

Ha 64 impalla...I know that's how to get wet vs dry but it was skimming just fine compaired to now though....

 

[BLKTANG]

when i clean my ASM it usually takes a day to start gettin the goodies out.

 

[redfishsc]

Randy's article on skimming has a good discussion on what makes bubbles pop before they can condense into foam.

Personally I would suspect that there was residual fabric softener (from whatever brand fabric softener you use, or detergent---- most of them are formulated to NOT suds up much). It wouldn't take much. Personally I'd clean skimmer parts by hand, or if I was feeling really lazy (not calling you lazy ) I'd wash them in the dishwasher, no soap, on low heat.


Aside from that, oils from your hand can also cause the bubbles to pop.

 

[GSMguy]

Every washer I've ever seen has residual Detergent and softener on them...

I reccomend against washing tank parts in the washing machine.

 

[redfishsc]

GSMguy clarified my post for me... thanks!

When I re-read my post it sounded like I was saying you used soap or fabric softener to clean the skimmer parts in the machine.

I knew you said you didn't, and as GSMguy said, it's residue from the washer that's just going to be in there.

 

[kyle1284]

ok so what do i do to get rid of it and make it start working again... how do i take apart a ASM skimmer?!? lol

 

[joshh81]

Same thing happened to me. I have a different skimmer but I washed the sock twice in the washer with no soap. There must have been a small dab somewhere because I am on day 3 with hardly anything at all in the skimmer.

Anybody have any ideas (besides never washing a filter sock in the washing machine again)...???

How do you get the skimmer skimming again?

 

[tkeracer619]

remove the filter sock. run some carbon. time

 

[Juruense]

Washing machines are loaded with surfactants and phosphates.