The Life Reef Skimmer Club

[mikeatjac]

Took a week for mine to kick in and like you my 120 does not get feed every day.

 

[laserjim]

Perhaps it needs a longer break in period.
Fair enough, my tank is a 60g, it's not overstocked and I feed every other day. I also use a filter sock, should I remove it?[/QUOTE]



Mine took a couple weeks, don't worry, it will kick in.

 

[ken6217]

It can take a while. Every tank is different.

You still aren't there yet based on the size of the bubbles in the neck.

 

[clorox]

Yeah, bubbles are not foam like yet. I'll patiently wait, I was a bit concerned when I was reading that others had the cup filling with dark skimmate after a few hours

 

[ken6217]

Not everyone can have a dirty tank.

 

[JasonD]

Yea it looks like you have the skimmer adjusted correctly, be patient

 

[Bignose94015]

Hello Everyone. Just got my used Vs-24 setup and chugging away. And I literally mean chugging away. It is way louder than everyone has written in these posts about being pretty silent. As an FTI this is a used unit but it almost sounds like a train chugging away. Is this normal? Maybe something in the venturi? Water level is set avout 1/4" from flange and air line attached from Venturi to collection cup.

Thanks,

Eric

 

[ken6217]

If it's not the pump, them the venturi could be clogged.

Take the end of the tubing to the venturi and stick it into some RO water and let it suck put a glass or so and see if this helps.

 

[azjohnny]

The venturi on mine makes no sound

Could it be the pump you are using?
What does it sound like?

 

[Bignose94015]

It produces tons of bubbles but sounds lke a chugging sound every other second or so. I i wll try cleaning the venturi. Any tips or tricks for this?

 

[rEeFnWrX]

I would check the prop on pump and the venturi.

When you say chugging, mechanical or a sudden flow of water? If it's water is your outlet from the skimmer body above water? If this is where the chugging sound is then maybe your gate valve is clogged, although that is very u likely but who knows it is used? Might as well check all three to be safe

 

[azjohnny]

entered in error

 

[rEeFnWrX]

Try removing the orange knob it is an access port

Only if he has it. Orange knob is new. not sure when Jeff started using it but my skimmer is only 2 years old and i don't have it. Good chance his doesn't being used it's probably older

 

[azjohnny]

I i wll try cleaning the venturi. Any tips or tricks for this?

Try removing the orange knob it is an access port

 

[PRSPLYR]

This is correct and I never said the skimmer cannot handle higher water heights.

What I said was that for people who turn off their return line, or have a dc pump and decrease return flow during feeding (this is done to avoid adding wasteful nutrients to the tank by avoiding food going into your overflow and into your sump) that you need to keep the MAX water level when pumps are off or turned down below the PVC tube, otherwise you will increase the water height in the skimmer and skim wet/overflow.

Now if a DC pump is used for the skimmer as well then it doesn't matter if they have a controller that can adjust the dimming% to the pump during feeding mode and dial down the % to avoid overflow/wet skimming.

Could you just turn off the skimmer pump when you turn off the return pump?

 

[ken6217]

Before you take anything apart, try what I said. Take the opposite end of the tube that is attached to the venturi and put it on a glass of water while it is running. Let it suck in water. This maybe clear anything that could be stuck in there.

 

[rEeFnWrX]

Could you just turn off the skimmer pump when you turn off the return pump?

You could but I don't.

Not all foods that I feed cause the skimmer to stop skimming. So I prefer not to turn it off and lose its head. Just a preference

 

[rEeFnWrX]

Before you take anything apart, try what I said. Take the opposite end of the tube that is attached to the venturi and put it on a glass of water while it is running. Let it suck in water. This maybe clear anything that could be stuck in there.

It's a used skimmer, who knows how the previous owner maintained it. I would visually inspect and then clean everything if needed.

Although what you are suggesting is indeed correct for general maintenance/troubleshooting.

 

[Bignose94015]

So I did the RO water thing. Nasty black crap started spinning in the skimmer body. The noise completely goes away when in water or the air intake is completely blocked. Will disassemble and try to completely clean.

 

[ken6217]

So I did the RO water thing. Nasty black crap started spinning in the skimmer body. The noise completely goes away when in water or the air intake is completely blocked. Will disassemble and try to completely clean.

Great. At least you're making some progress. If you have vinegar, clean or soak it in that. After you're done try the RO water again.