Help with skimmer

geweagle · #1 07-18-2013, 04:27 AM

hello everyone,

I am very new at this so any help would be appreciated. I have a 2-month old system. Bought this skimmer second hand. I was told it is very good. I do not know its name or have any instructions. When I started using it everything was great. The cup filled in about 1 week and was dark and smelly. I understand that is good. Now all of a sudden it is filling in 1/2 a day. The liquid is lighter and watery. Not know what changed. I am working to get PO4 down. it is at 1 ppm now. as I try things I find the outlet flow control knobs (2) on the front. I have them at max flow. If I slow them down the cup fills up with water. I tried decreasing air flow, seems like lots maybe too much bubbles. That also made the cup fill up in 1/2 hr. So I do not know what happened or waht to do. Any ideas would be great

Proteus · #2 07-18-2013, 04:46 AM

First I would take pump apart and clean it.
I have found that certin medias such as filter floss affect skimmers. If you use try without.
Are you adding any additives to tank that may affect skimmer

IMO there's not alot of good hob skimmers. Deltec and reef octopus would be my preference.

Some more info about setup and water params may help

geweagle · #3 07-18-2013, 05:23 AM

Thanks for the ideas. I have not even open the pump. I did not put anything in, but I will check. i do not even know what brand this is. Do you reconize it? Then I could get more direct info on it. As to other parameters in the tank, not got much. Have not added anything to the tank when the problem started. I did top up the water some. Thought that might be it. Raise the water level about 1 " added 5 gal. After the problem started I thought thta might have been it so i lower the water back to before, but it did not help much. maybe a little. After the problem as a treatment for the PO4 I have started a little hangon biofilter with Xport-PO4 to try to drop the phosphate. seems to be working. Down to 0.75ppm, a 0.25 drop in the last day. Also thought maybe the high PO4 was making more foam in the skimmer.

I have thought of a sump system but the tank is not drilled. and I would have to setup a sump etc. A lot of work at this point. Wife is already concerned how much I have spent

mrhasan · #4 07-18-2013, 06:40 AM

That's a seaclone 100 I am guessing. Don't know whether you can adjust the air mix or not with this skimmer; that could have solved the problem of light colored skimate.

Further analysis:
From the shape of the lead, I think its a generic type skimmer found in ebay:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/PROTEIN-SKIMM...8afef59&_uhb=1

(Seaclone doesn't have the circular disk on the top of the cup).

Proteus · #5 07-18-2013, 11:54 AM

Quote:

. Wife is already concerned how much I have spent

It only gets worse

geweagle · #6 07-18-2013, 01:11 PM

I am beginning to think this is some generic no-name or DIY type. I cannot see anything to identify it. if it was a brand name should have a name plate or logo. It is similar to the seaclone, but not. There does not appear to be any air control. If I pinch of the air intack the water level rises and fills the cup. there are two outlets both have flow control. That is the only control I see. If i decrease them then the cup fills too. It suck! I think I will have to replace it and got shammed when told "its a great skimmer". I am new at this so had no idea.

I do think for now I will have to stick to a HOB because have no sump etc. But open to any suggestions. Wife agrees it is not good

. Thats my ticket to spend some money.

JmeJReefer · #7 07-19-2013, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titus99

It only gets worse

Bwahahaha! Truer words couldn't have been spoken!

geweagle · #8 07-20-2013, 05:40 AM

Thank you all for your help,

Especially Mike and Myka. Your were on the money. The root cause was just what Myka said. When I took the unit out for a complete cleaning and upgrades, I checked the venturi. Just as Myka said the air intake in the venturi was blocked with salt/calcium. Clean that and now its is running great. In addition as Mike suggested I have now installed a valve on the inlet so I can control the inlet flow. Control of only the oultet can over pressure the skimemr leading to overflowing. Also I drilled and tapped the cup and installed a drain so if it does fill it will drain into a bucket and not over the floor. Thats a real plus for the wife

.

So I hope this tread serves others in the future. This was a great learning. And I got to say I have a lot better understanding of what makes a HOB skimmer work. Still may in time go to a sump as I can see the advantages.

Once my tank settles down I will snap some picture to add to the tread as DIY upgrades for older HOB skimmers.

mike31154 · #9 07-20-2013, 07:14 PM

Cool, that Myka gets to the root cause of many things. I think you should add to her 'reputation'. You can do this by clicking the little scale icon next to the post #11.

Myka · #10 07-21-2013, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geweagle

The root cause was just what Myka said. When I took the unit out for a complete cleaning and upgrades, I checked the venturi. Just as Myka said the air intake in the venturi was blocked with salt/calcium. Clean that and now its is running great.

Awesome! Glad I could help.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike31154

Cool, that Myka gets to the root cause of many things. I think you should add to her 'reputation'. You can do this by clicking the little scale icon next to the post #11.

Hey no worries about that, but thanks.