skimmer

[jabo]

my skimmer has stopped producing air into the column. I have cleaned it, the pump seems to be working, i cant see anything stopped up, and there are no visible leaks?? It just shoots a steady stream of water into the cup. Any ideas?

 

[Reefdiver77]

Do you have some sort of adjustment?? I have a Coralife Super Skimmer. If I do not have the adjustment set right, it stops the microbubbles in the chamber and shoots clear water into the collection chamber.

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

What kind of skimmer do you have,three things that could be are.
1. the air line into the pump could be stopped up.
2.If there is a riser tube it may be to high.
3 The water level is to high in the skimmer section.
Hope this may help.

 

[Mako Shark II]

I agree with Snakey Dave on all three points above, but the Doctors need to know the vitals before they'll touch the (unknown) patient.

 

[jabo]

I have the Coralife Super Skimmer as well. I have played with all the adjustments. Cleaned all the lines and I am about to determine it could be the pump. Or at least the little wheel inside. Wonder if I can find that pump anywhere.

I swear this F@#^$%@# hobby. I was just about there!!! I just ordered a frag rack and a couple of new frags and was trying to start a little new project. BUT OH HE!! NO NOW THE DANG SKIMMER!!!!! ARGGGHHH!!!

 

[Reefdiver77]

I had to order a new rio pump at one time. unsure where I ordered it. Have you totally taken the pump apart(including the impeller), soaked and run vinegar through it? Are you certain the air tubing is totally clear? Mine makes a loud noise when it is totally clear and the microbubbles go to town. If there are no microbubbles in the water chamber, check the air tubing. That has always been the problem with mine. Sometimes the black curved "thingy" where you attach your air tubing can stop up as well. At times I will take the air tubing loose and 99% of the time this curved black "thingy" is occluded with salt. I use a wooden skewer to clean it out. Hope this helps.

 

[ducklabdad]

Try "Blowing into" the air tubing while it is running and see if that clears it, sounds like your not sucking air to me. Thats a easy check anyway that does not cost much!!

 

[jabo]

Done all of the above. I found a new pump and i will try to get it tomorrow. Thanks for the help everyone.

Search RC about Coralife mods and there are a few fixes for the micro bubbles, they look easy too.

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

If it is pushing water up to the cup,the pump is working,sounds like it isn't getting any air to produce micro bubbles.

 

[jabo]

But why? The impeller? The baffles on the impeller shaft?

There is nothing clogged. I ran vinegar through it last night for a few hours and then soaked. I have changed the small air tube. I ran a flexible hose thru the larger hard plastic pieces. I almost beleive it has to be the pump not "sucking" hard enough. I am about ready to pull my hair out!!

I am going to try the pump and see what happens.

 

[SNAKEMANVET]

I know how you feel,when we can't figure things out.Hopefully the new pump will fix your problem.