What's wrong with my protein skimmer?

C

Chris918

New member
I've had my Reefer 350 for 2 months now. The skimmer has been on for about a month and a half. I've adjusted everything I can think of. My sump's skimmer chamber has a water level of around 10 inches. That's too high based on the manufacturers suggestion so I have the skimmer at about 8 inches now. I can't get any skimmate production and the foam barely makes it an inch or two up the skimmer neck. It never gets close to the collection cup. It looks like it is pulling out a little bit of gunk, but it never gets to the cup. I've considered that maybe my bioload is too low. There are only a pair of clowns and a few coral.

Please help me if you can. Here is a link to the skimmer if you need more info.

Thanks!

Chris
 
Have you ever tried running it at 10" depth?
I'd try that first and play with the adjustment.

Next thing you can look into is increasing the air intake. Either make the hole bigger or put on a bigger tube and control the air with a small valve of some sort.


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I've tried running it at the sump's normal water level and the foam gets much higher. It almost gets to the point where I want it to be. I've tried raising the skimmer about 2 inches and the foam production is worse. Does the base the skimmer pump sits on need to be taken into account when looking at the skimmer's actual depth? It sits on a 2.5 inch base (give or take) that the pump sits on.
 
Can ya snap a few pics to better help us help you out?maybe some one will see something

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The link works for me. Is it working for you guys? Let me know if you all have any ideas on what the problem may be.
 
What kind of skimmer is it?
From the photo, you need to adjust the water output to raise the water level in the skimmer body so that the foam is up around the neck of the skimmer.
 
flooddc said:
What kind of skimmer is it?
From the photo, you need to adjust the water output to raise the water level in the skimmer body so that the foam is up around the neck of the skimmer.
Click to expand...

I would agree, do you not have a flow adjustment knob to fine tune your bubbles level in the chamber?
 
Chris918 said:
Here is a link to the skimmer I have. https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/skimz-octa-sc165i-internal-protein-skimmer.html
I have done every adjustment I can on the skimmer and this is as high as it gets. I've messed with the micro adjustable valve on the side and can't seem to get it any higher.
Click to expand...



Not familiar with any his skimmer but I think most skimmers function the same.

There is a knob that should control how much water flows out of this skimmer. By adjusting this knob you can adjust the water level in the skimmer. It looks like, on your skimmer, it is opposite the air intake. Close this knob as far as you can and see if that helps. The water level should rise and fall. If still not getting water level high enough you can try and increase air intake. If that doesn't work you need to drop the skimmer level in the tank.
Are you using wood for your skimmer stand?


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I'm not using any wood as a skimmer stand. I originally thought my water level was too high so I raised the skimmer about 2 inches. This actually made things worse. I lowered the skimmer again and it functions better. It comes on a black plastic stand where the pump is mounted. I started Reef Energy A and B today and after I turned the skimmer back on, the foam immediately was reaching the top. Perhaps it is just a low bio load?
 
I don't see a valve for the output but that little valve on the bottom of the air intake cup should do the trick. One way to check to see if it will work is to stick your finger over the open hole on the top. The bubbles should immediately climb toward the cup.
 
oldhead said:
I don't see a valve for the output but that little valve on the bottom of the air intake cup should do the trick. One way to check to see if it will work is to stick your finger over the open hole on the top. The bubbles should immediately climb toward the cup.
Click to expand...

That is it. Close the air valve little by little the buble will increase in the skimmer body.
I just edit my comment with a link, check it out. Good luck.
 
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