Skimz skimmer club

Hi I am looking for some ideas. I have a sm201 about 2 1/2 year old. It has been running fine but recently I noticed the airflow is reduced. The water inside the skimmer no longer look white rather a little translucent. I took apart the skimmer and cleaned the pump and propeller. Both seem to be in good condition. Also cleaned the air silencer since there was some salt creep in there that almost blocking the hole. Now after putting it back together it still has the same problem, maybe just a little bit better. I adjusted the air silencer to maximize the bubbles. The skimmer still works but has difficulty maintaining a foam head when the tank is not dirty enough.

Do I need to replace the pump, propeller or is this something else?
 
horseplay said:
Hi I am looking for some ideas. I have a sm201 about 2 1/2 year old. It has been running fine but recently I noticed the airflow is reduced. The water inside the skimmer no longer look white rather a little translucent. I took apart the skimmer and cleaned the pump and propeller. Both seem to be in good condition. Also cleaned the air silencer since there was some salt creep in there that almost blocking the hole. Now after putting it back together it still has the same problem, maybe just a little bit better. I adjusted the air silencer to maximize the bubbles. The skimmer still works but has difficulty maintaining a foam head when the tank is not dirty enough.

Do I need to replace the pump, propeller or is this something else?
Click to expand...
Try hearing up some di water, pulling the air line off and sucking the water through the venturi.. It might be clogged with salt or calcium deposit..
 
I cleaned the venture yesterday but it was not the issue. However mystery resolved. The T I made to connect to output of the BP reactor restricted the flow. It went back to normal after the T was removed.
 
Last week I joined the club with a SM201, I have a 150g DT with 40g sump thats med-heavy bio-load. I picked it from BRS and installed it Wednesday morning. I have it in 8" of water and ran it for two days with gate 1/2 open and air intake full. Yesterday was the first day I tried to fine tune it. I started by having air intake 1/2 open and adjusting the gate. I find that I get great micro bubbles to the neck, but from the neck where the (cup connects) to 1/2 above the bottom of the cut itself I'm getting bubble (1/4 3/8)-1/2" in side. If I try to turn down the air nothings changes and if I open the air the bubbles go from 1/4 to 1/2-3/4 and then pop but bubbles are un-uniform.

I need help with the air intake setting. I wish someone would make a youtube video of fine tuning a Skimz
 
Captain smoke said:
Last week I joined the club with a SM201, I have a 150g DT with 40g sump thats med-heavy bio-load. I picked it from BRS and installed it Wednesday morning. I have it in 8" of water and ran it for two days with gate 1/2 open and air intake full. Yesterday was the first day I tried to fine tune it. I started by having air intake 1/2 open and adjusting the gate. I find that I get great micro bubbles to the neck, but from the neck where the (cup connects) to 1/2 above the bottom of the cut itself I'm getting bubble (1/4 3/8)-1/2" in side. If I try to turn down the air nothings changes and if I open the air the bubbles go from 1/4 to 1/2-3/4 and then pop but bubbles are un-uniform.

I need help with the air intake setting. I wish someone would make a youtube video of fine tuning a Skimz
Click to expand...

I had to let mine break in for about 1-2 weeks. Also I had to open my air intake all the way to get results the way I wanted.
 
I have the oval DC 203. It's been running for about 8wks, I cannot get it to stop releasing micro bubbles into the sump which are then so fine they make it to the display. Talked to BRS and they wanted me to either wait longer for break in or send it back for warranty as they think Skimz are only so-so skimmers. Kinda blew my mind when they said they actually recommend a different brand over Skimz line because of issues like these.

Not bashing, as I'm still giving mine a chance for another month or two.
 
FullBoreReefer said:
I have the oval DC 203. It's been running for about 8wks, I cannot get it to stop releasing micro bubbles into the sump which are then so fine they make it to the display. Talked to BRS and they wanted me to either wait longer for break in or send it back for warranty as they think Skimz are only so-so skimmers. Kinda blew my mind when they said they actually recommend a different brand over Skimz line because of issues like these.

Not bashing, as I'm still giving mine a chance for another month or two.
Click to expand...
That's different.. As BRS is pretty much going full bore with the skimz line(their products for up to fairly large tanks).. Being they are the distributor and warranty enforcer in the US.. Hmmnnn.. Questionable comment..

And for your micro bubble problem.. Something is set wrong without a doubt.. Or something in your system setup(or system) is massively off.. After that long of a period of time, still producing that much micro bubbles, and then to get into your display tank from your sump?! That's insane.. Is love to see a picture of your sump setup.. Along with skimmer chamber..
 
DamonG said:
That's different.. As BRS is pretty much going full bore with the skimz line(their products for up to fairly large tanks).. Being they are the distributor and warranty enforcer in the US.. Hmmnnn.. Questionable comment..

And for your micro bubble problem.. Something is set wrong without a doubt.. Or something in your system setup(or system) is massively off.. After that long of a period of time, still producing that much micro bubbles, and then to get into your display tank from your sump?! That's insane.. Is love to see a picture of your sump setup.. Along with skimmer chamber..
Click to expand...

I had a 20min conversation with Colin at BRS. I even sent them a video of my setup. After trying many settings that didn't work per them, they wanted me to send it back and try another line of skimmer with better reviews.

Please don't question what I said, maybe I have a bad one, but this has been my experience with it, and that's what BRS told me they would do the warranty and have no issues with me sending it back for up to one year. They said they wouldnt argue or even question it.

And how is that insane? People have micro bubble issues all the time.

Would you like me to link the exact video I made for BRS? Because clearly you like putting people down and acting like I'm bashing them. The current setting of the skimmer in the video is where Colin at BRS had set it before I got off the phone to make the video for his other coworkers to view and ask for opinions because he was stumped with the issue.

I clearly said in my post that I'm not bashing and I'm trying to give it a chance because I do like it, just dislike the issues.



Here is the video...
https://youtu.be/QE4jMXJaRw8
 
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Dude, don't be so defensive.. I said what I said, because I do see people who have micro bubble problems all the time, and I, myself had them long ago also.. I meant no insult at all.. And no one(I don't) likes putting people down, it's just weird to hear brs, as their distributor saying something like that(and honestly, I'm even more suprised after watching the video, that they didn't immediately pick up on some of the things to eliminate the problem other than the skimmer, because the skimmer isn't really the issue, as that is what it is designed to do, and it's doing it's job).. But whatever on that, on to your issues.. And I can see exactly why your having the problems with them(micro bubbles).. And don't take it as bashing, just experiences I learned on my own.. And that is what I meant by something is wrong with the setup..

From your video though(a picture or video is worth a thousand words), I see why your collecting bubbles honestly.. It's just a simple thing(well, two things.. Maybe 3..) to be honest.. And I think you will solve your bubble issues.. Once and for all.. Move your Aux pumps out of the area of the skimmer.. Honestly, that is always going to be an area(the skimmer area )that has the "potential" for micro bubbles the most in the sump(outside of the filter sock down tubes). With the pumps being there, they are always going to collect bubbles and "burp" larger bubbles, which in turn cause more micro bubbles.. So move the Aux pump out or at least down stream of the skimmer and live rock area. If you can, put it in your return pump chamber. Even if you have to do some form of siphon, if you want to have stationary pumps(and not a wet dry vacation like a lot of us) to pump water out of each chamber of your sump..

Next, slow your return pump down even more of possible.. I have a 75 gallon sump, upgraded from a 30 long, upgraded from a standard 20.. I am saying that to say, that I have dealt with small tanks and sumps.. I'm also not the biggest fan of skimmers in the middle section type of sumps for that very reason(you don't get as much of a distance for potential bubbles to dissipate). But I understand the design and desire.. But for purpose of your sump, I would slow it down massively.. And you have to also take into account that those skimz and most modern skimmers pump a lot of water, and intake a lot of air(much more than older skimmers used to). Even I was suprised at both when I got my first skimz..

You don't need a ton of flow through your sump anyhow to be honest. Give the skimmer and your filter socks a chance to get more of a bite of the water going through it, and allow the bubbles to rise up and pop.. And with that style of sump and the skimmer placement, your going to have to be even more careful with flowing water too fast through the sump..

For example, I run DC pumps also. I have a DC 12000 on mine, but, I only have it on speed 2 of 8 on my 180 display tank.. I have massive flow and circulation through the display(over 8400gph)by the power heads(4 of them), but for the filtration, I run it pretty slow.. Slower now, than I ever have..

And third, if all else fails, put a sponge in your trap before the return pump section.. Yes, you will need to take it out and swish it in say change water(the water used to do your water change), but that will eliminate or at least massively help to eliminate bubbles going into the display..

I think that you will find if you try some of those things you will lose your micro bubble problem substantially, to completely.. But the thing you have to keep in mind about the auxiliary pumps, is that where you have them sitting, your never going to eliminate the bubbles going into them.. That is, unless you install another weir around them. And even then, your still going to get some bubbles, just because it's directly next to the skimmer..
 
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DamonG said:
Dude, don't be so defensive.. I said what I said, because I do see people who have micro bubble problems all the time, and I, myself had them long ago also.. I meant no insult at all.. And no one(I don't) likes putting people down, it's just weird to hear brs, as their distributor saying something like that(and honestly, I'm even more suprised after watching the video, that they didn't immediately pick up on some of the things to eliminate the problem other than the skimmer, because the skimmer isn't really the issue, as that is what it is designed to do, and it's doing it's job).. But whatever on that, on to your issues.. And I can see exactly why your having the problems with them(micro bubbles).. And don't take it as bashing, just experiences I learned on my own.. And that is what I meant by something is wrong with the setup..

From your video though(a picture or video is worth a thousand words), I see why your collecting bubbles honestly.. It's just a simple thing(well, two things.. Maybe 3..) to be honest.. And I think you will solve your bubble issues.. Once and for all.. Move your Aux pumps out of the area of the skimmer.. Honestly, that is always going to be an area(the skimmer area )that has the "potential" for micro bubbles the most in the sump(outside of the filter sock down tubes). With the pumps being there, they are always going to collect bubbles and "burp" larger bubbles, which in turn cause more micro bubbles.. So move the Aux pump out or at least down stream of the skimmer and live rock area. If you can, put it in your return pump chamber. Even if you have to do some form of siphon, if you want to have stationary pumps(and not a wet dry vacation like a lot of us) to pump water out of each chamber of your sump..

Next, slow your return pump down even more of possible.. I have a 75 gallon sump, upgraded from a 30 long, upgraded from a standard 20.. I am saying that to say, that I have dealt with small tanks and sumps.. I'm also not the biggest fan of skimmers in the middle section type of sumps for that very reason(you don't get as much of a distance for potential bubbles to dissipate). But I understand the design and desire.. But for purpose of your sump, I would slow it down massively.. And you have to also take into account that those skimz and most modern skimmers pump a lot of water, and intake a lot of air(much more than older skimmers used to). Even I was suprised at both when I got my first skimz..

You don't need a ton of flow through your sump anyhow to be honest. Give the skimmer and your filter socks a chance to get more of a bite of the water going through it, and allow the bubbles to rise up and pop.. And with that style of sump and the skimmer placement, your going to have to be even more careful with flowing water too fast through the sump..

For example, I run DC pumps also. I have a DC 12000 on mine, but, I only have it on speed 2 of 8 on my 180 display tank.. I have massive flow and circulation through the display(over 8400gph)by the power heads(4 of them), but for the filtration, I run it pretty slow.. Slower now, than I ever have..

And third, if all else fails, put a sponge in your trap before the return pump section.. Yes, you will need to take it out and swish it in say change water(the water used to do your water change), but that will eliminate or at least massively help to eliminate bubbles going into the display..

I think that you will find if you try some of those things you will lose your micro bubble problem substantially, to completely.. But the thing you have to keep in mind about the auxiliary pumps, is that where you have them sitting, your never going to eliminate the bubbles going into them.. That is, unless you install another weir around them. And even then, your still going to get some bubbles, just because it's directly next to the skimmer..
Click to expand...

I don't think the Aux pump location would matter, if anything it sucks up some of the micros and after they go through my reactors and ATS the outlets are ran back through the filter socks.

I've calculated my sump turnover around 9.5-10x. In tank flow is 2-mp40's.

With all the pods running around I'd rather stay away from sponges around that area.

It just sucks that my old skimmer didn't do this with the same sump setup/turnover/layout. It did release some but not to this extent.

But I will try to slow the sump even more.
 
I have a SN143 and it has been blowing micro bubbles for 6 months. It is very annoying, so your situation isn't isolated. I also have a lid that is VERY hard to remove. Maybe I should call BRS tomorrow. I actually found this thread just now looking for anyone with that issue. The design looks like there isn't anything keeping the bubbles from exiting the skimmer like normally. I to have tried many different configs. Raising the water level in the skimmer section, lowering it, slowing the pump down, reducing the air, even with the water level at 6", and the gate valve almost completely closed off, they still fly out. They are so small, that even with minimal flow, they would still make it down and under my bubble baffle.
 
You are correct though. I have never had a problem with bubbles exiting my skimmers after the initial break in. You shouldn't have to build a sump to have to capture a billion little bubbles because of a poorly designed skimmer body. It does capture allot of gunk though. One last negative is that it is the loudest part of my system.
 
I talked to BRS today, and they are sending me an entire new skimmer. He said it should fix the lid and hopefully the bubble issue. They even told me to keep the old one for spare parts! Not too shabby for customer service!
 
Sm203 dc skimmer

Sm203 dc skimmer

I bought this skimmer about three weeks ago. Is has been a huge battle keeping a good foam head on this skimmer. I don't have a lot in my tank and it's only been up and running about a month and a half. It's a 180 main and a 75 sump.
 
thejuggernaut said:
I talked to BRS today, and they are sending me an entire new skimmer. He said it should fix the lid and hopefully the bubble issue. They even told me to keep the old one for spare parts! Not too shabby for customer service!
Click to expand...

Keep us posted. I'll be calling them back as mine hasn't changed any.
 
I need some assistance in tuning my new skimmer. I have never used a skimmer before so I'm not exactly sure what I am looking for. Rocking the SN143 in a new 60gal tank. Tank has been running for about 7 weeks with just a CUC right now.

Here is what my skimmer is currently producing. Is this good? How can i tweak it so more nastiness gets into the collection cup instead of the neck?

RwjPcY.jpg

D6Rk3X.jpg
 
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turn up the airflow for starters. It looks like you have hardly any airflow. This will have the effect of dropping the water level. You want uniform small bubbles in the neck with the top of the water column around the mid neck. The larger breaking bubbles rise in the neck and cup from there. You can further control the water level using the valve control and the d/c pump controller. On my own I have the air valve about 60 % closed and the pump on 5/6 and use the water valve to control the water column height. It seems to work well, until of course I find or hear of a better combination.
 
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