Jun 23, 2017
Lisa Maxwell
wrote
Hi,
I have been running my new skimmer for 12 hours (after a 3 hour run in 20% vinegar solution).
The skimmer quiet - too quiet in fact. I hear no air intake even when I remove the silencer cap. There is almost no water exiting the gate valve/vent pipe assembly. Also, the skimmer seems be struggling to form a foam head in my system which I know at this point has significant dissolved organic matter.
I understand that there is a break in period, but I am very concerned that the pump is not working properly or pulling adequately.
Please advise,
Thank you,
Lisa
I have been running my new skimmer for 12 hours (after a 3 hour run in 20% vinegar solution).
The skimmer quiet - too quiet in fact. I hear no air intake even when I remove the silencer cap. There is almost no water exiting the gate valve/vent pipe assembly. Also, the skimmer seems be struggling to form a foam head in my system which I know at this point has significant dissolved organic matter.
I understand that there is a break in period, but I am very concerned that the pump is not working properly or pulling adequately.
Please advise,
Thank you,
Lisa
Reply
8 Answers
Jun 23, 2017
Carlos
agent
wrote
Thank you for contacting us. Have you taken the pump apart just to make sure that nothing is jammed inside the impeller chamber? Can you also provide us a video of the skimmer running please? That would help us troubleshoot the issue much faster.
Jun 23, 2017
Lisa Maxwell
wrote
Hi Carlos,
Thank you for the prompt reply. I'm a bit short on time, I will disassemble this evening. I wonder if a piece of the packing Styrofoam got lodged in the there?
I'll keep you posted.
Thank you,
lisa
Thank you for the prompt reply. I'm a bit short on time, I will disassemble this evening. I wonder if a piece of the packing Styrofoam got lodged in the there?
I'll keep you posted.
Thank you,
lisa
Jun 23, 2017
Carlos
agent
wrote
That's what I was thinking may have happened. Let us know,
Jun 23, 2017
Lisa Maxwell
wrote
Hi Carlos,
Well, I decided to go to work late; I didn't want to risk damaging the pump if something was in there. I took the skimmer out of the sump and disassembled the pump. I did not see anything in the impeller assembly, but rinsed everything out again just to be sure. Reassembled and returned to sump.
Still very little water output, dead silent, and no foam head after about an hour. I took a video with my phone, but honestly, I've never transferred video to email. I ran out of time and am at work now. I will work on getting video into my computer this evening. Of course, when I cover both air inlets in the silencer, the water rises up in the neck of the skimmer.
I'm frustrated. If you recall, I originally had the 202S which is a goliath and was much too large for my 75 gallon system; now a month has gone by and finally the right skimmer size, but no foam.
Well, I decided to go to work late; I didn't want to risk damaging the pump if something was in there. I took the skimmer out of the sump and disassembled the pump. I did not see anything in the impeller assembly, but rinsed everything out again just to be sure. Reassembled and returned to sump.
Still very little water output, dead silent, and no foam head after about an hour. I took a video with my phone, but honestly, I've never transferred video to email. I ran out of time and am at work now. I will work on getting video into my computer this evening. Of course, when I cover both air inlets in the silencer, the water rises up in the neck of the skimmer.
I'm frustrated. If you recall, I originally had the 202S which is a goliath and was much too large for my 75 gallon system; now a month has gone by and finally the right skimmer size, but no foam.
Jun 23, 2017
Carlos
agent
wrote
I see the skimmer is running correctly. Remind me, how old is your tank? How many fish do you have in the tank?
Jun 23, 2017
Lisa Maxwell
wrote
4 years old, DSB is 2 years old. 2 pink skunk clowns, 2 chromis, 1 anthela, 1 rock beauty angel, 1 clown goby, 1 3" tang (grey) totally just forgot the name. Lots of soft corals and zoas, few snails and blue legged hermits.
I feed 3 times a day. Mostly frozen, occasionally some flake. Usually a total 3 or 4 cubes per day.
I guess I would consider it a "medium" load. I've been having a major issue with rising nitrates which is why I initially purchased the new skimmer. My old one had worn out and company (SWC) was out of business - no replacement pump available from what I could find.
I've attached a photo of display tank.
Also, I did have a very experienced reefer buddy stop by and check out the 202S while it was in the sump just to make sure there wasn't anything I was overlooking with set-up. He confirmed all water levels and equipment placement looked great.
Any additional thoughts?
Lisa
I feed 3 times a day. Mostly frozen, occasionally some flake. Usually a total 3 or 4 cubes per day.
I guess I would consider it a "medium" load. I've been having a major issue with rising nitrates which is why I initially purchased the new skimmer. My old one had worn out and company (SWC) was out of business - no replacement pump available from what I could find.
I've attached a photo of display tank.
Also, I did have a very experienced reefer buddy stop by and check out the 202S while it was in the sump just to make sure there wasn't anything I was overlooking with set-up. He confirmed all water levels and equipment placement looked great.
Any additional thoughts?
Lisa
Jun 23, 2017
Carlos
agent
wrote
The skimmer needs to break in. You have only been running it for 12 hours so it is not enough time for the skimmer to break in. The skimmer needs to break in for at least 2 weeks before it starts to collect consistently. I would recommend just leaving it alone right now. After the 2nd week you can start to tune the skimmer to get it to collect.
Jun 23, 2017
Lisa Maxwell
wrote
OK, fingers crossed.
Thank you,
Lisa
Thank you,
Lisa