Oct 08, 2016
Darrin
wrote
Hi all,
Only have had my skimmer in service for a couple of months. Clean it every three weeks.
Lately it has become very loud with a gurgling noise in the air intake. Sounds like it has water in the tube.
I can't figure it out and it's driving me nuts because it now is the loudest thing under my stand.
Can anyone offer some help?
Only have had my skimmer in service for a couple of months. Clean it every three weeks.
Lately it has become very loud with a gurgling noise in the air intake. Sounds like it has water in the tube.
I can't figure it out and it's driving me nuts because it now is the loudest thing under my stand.
Can anyone offer some help?
Reply
15 Answers
Oct 10, 2016
Carlos
agent
wrote
Is the airline threaded through the red pipe all the way up? Or is it just half way up? Also, at the top of the airline, is the red pipe's cover attached to the airline or is the airline just pushed to the side and then the cap installed?
Oct 10, 2016
Darrin
wrote
Thanks for the questions.
The air line runs all the way up the red pvc pipe and connects to the nipple on the silencer.
Both the silencer and the cap are fitted securely.
The air line runs all the way up the red pvc pipe and connects to the nipple on the silencer.
Both the silencer and the cap are fitted securely.
Oct 10, 2016
Carlos
agent
wrote
Disconnect the cap from the airline tube. I know there are videos online that show that but they are incorrect. Also, make sure that the light is all pushed up BUT it is not kinked.
Oct 10, 2016
Darrin
wrote
Ok checked again for kinks and found none. Disconnected the air line from cap and restarted. Now I would say the gurgling is more pronounced.
Oct 10, 2016
Darrin
wrote
Could it be with the motor it's self? The hum from it has actually become louder also.
Oct 10, 2016
Jeremy Rykiel
agent
wrote
Gurgling can and is usually caused by changes in the water chemistry. This will fluctuate depending on the surface tension of the water. Commonly experience such things during the break in period of the skimmer, new systems, when adding new equipment or plumbing to the system, medicating, handling/cleaning will often change the way water and air is handled within the pump. Mechanically the only thing that will cause the gurgle is a clogged venturi.
Oct 10, 2016
Darrin
wrote
"water chemistry changes"?
This is a SPS dominated tank and is not new. Only the skimmer is new as I tried a switch from AquaMax. So I can guarantee that the water chemistry does not change. Fact the only changes is .06 on temps range and .10 on Ph.
So maybe I should not clean the skimmer every three weeks? If this is the case, how long will it run making the noise?
This is a SPS dominated tank and is not new. Only the skimmer is new as I tried a switch from AquaMax. So I can guarantee that the water chemistry does not change. Fact the only changes is .06 on temps range and .10 on Ph.
So maybe I should not clean the skimmer every three weeks? If this is the case, how long will it run making the noise?
Oct 10, 2016
Carlos
agent
wrote
Do you clean the entire skimmer including the body? If so, how do you clean it? Do you soak it in vinegar? Let us know,
Oct 10, 2016
Darrin
wrote
Cleaning consists of removing each part from the skimmer and taking a soft tooth brush to everything. No soap or anything is used except warm water.
The inside is wiped down with a wet paper towel to remove the build up.
Then the skimmer is reassemble and placed back into the sump.
I have not taken apart the motor yet as there are no instructions on that.
The inside is wiped down with a wet paper towel to remove the build up.
Then the skimmer is reassemble and placed back into the sump.
I have not taken apart the motor yet as there are no instructions on that.
Oct 10, 2016
Jeremy Rykiel
agent
wrote
Your weekly regimen is not the issue. What size is your aquarium? How deep of water do you have the skimmer sitting in?
To remove the venturi just disconnect the airline and pull the venturi away from the body. Here is an old video of how to service the Aquatrance pump. There may be some slight differences depending on the pump model: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r9qtSZxStY
To remove the venturi just disconnect the airline and pull the venturi away from the body. Here is an old video of how to service the Aquatrance pump. There may be some slight differences depending on the pump model: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r9qtSZxStY
Oct 10, 2016
Darrin
wrote
Your kidding me with that video right?
The skimmer has the DC motor and sits upside down in the skimmer. Not even remotely close to what's in the video you sent.
The water level is 8" and the tank is 120g
You might have missed this, but when I first got the skimmer, it was very quiet. After the first cleaning is when it became very loud with the gurgling noises.
The skimmer has the DC motor and sits upside down in the skimmer. Not even remotely close to what's in the video you sent.
The water level is 8" and the tank is 120g
You might have missed this, but when I first got the skimmer, it was very quiet. After the first cleaning is when it became very loud with the gurgling noises.
Oct 10, 2016
Darrin
wrote
I took a video of the motor in action. When it starts spinning it's very quiet and runs as expected. Then it jumps way up in speed and this is when the gurgling starts.
There is no slow start up or slow ramp up in speed.
There is no slow start up or slow ramp up in speed.
Oct 10, 2016
Jeremy Rykiel
agent
wrote
Sorry this was the link I meant to send for the pump repair: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TToz8HEYi8k
The DC pump ramps up to the set speed so the gurgle occurs when the pump runs at a higher level. To verify this can you lower the power on the pump to a lower speed and see if the sound diminishes more with each power setting less?
The DC pump ramps up to the set speed so the gurgle occurs when the pump runs at a higher level. To verify this can you lower the power on the pump to a lower speed and see if the sound diminishes more with each power setting less?
Oct 10, 2016
Darrin
wrote
Mine does not ramp, it jumps to fast then slows down
Oct 10, 2016
Jeremy Rykiel
agent
wrote
That is not right. All RODC and VarioS pumps have a slow start to them. It is programmed in the controller themselves. So if you have a elite with a RODC or VarioS pump I would suggest removing the pump and inspecting it for calcification or debris. If everything is normal I would suggest testing the pump in a bucket of water to see if the suction and output increase as the pump picks up speed. I would also suggest you submitting a support ticket at coralvue.com/support about the issues with your pump and if possible a short video of it running.