Protien skimmer has halted on producing foam

Breathe13stars · 04/02/2010, 04:01 PM

For the last week my Aqua C EV 180 has slowed way down on producing foam im running it at full blast with a mag 9.5. Over the last few weeks i have added several new pieces of coral in there I dont know if that could have caused it to slow down or what. I have not had any foam production in about a week, but yet the water seems to be really clear. Any suggestions???

gcarroll · 04/02/2010, 04:11 PM

any pics of the skimmer in action? Where is the water level at in the skimmer?

Breathe13stars · 04/02/2010, 04:32 PM

Here is some pics with the gate valve all the way open which is how I usually run it.

Rich123 · 04/02/2010, 07:58 PM

Check the air intake valve, they clog up with calcium. Once that happens you will stop producing foam. Another thing to ck is the gate valve to make sure its not clogging up. Something else to ck is the collector cup overflow, that can become clogged over time and that will stop foam production.
One thing is the water is to high in the tower. Once it raises to much you will not get any air draw into the unit. What size pump are you using? What water level is the skimmer setting in? Is the gate valve under water?

Sorry, just saw the pump size. That mag 9.5 is oversize, you have to throttle it back going into the ev-180. That skimmer works best with about 700 gph pump. I would ck all the air points, looks like its clogged someplace and you are not drawing or exausting air correctly.

sabbath · 04/02/2010, 08:13 PM

Yea, Check the air valve, water should be white.

HaroldT · 04/02/2010, 08:15 PM

Yeah, you likely have a clog. Check the air intake. Probably just needs to be cleaned.

Breathe13stars · 04/03/2010, 12:06 AM

I tried cleaning it but it wasn't to easy, I don't even know if i did it properly. Any suggestions on how to do this. Whatever I did didnt help its still doing the same thing.

Crowed · 04/03/2010, 06:18 AM

Use needle or something similiar and try to rub as much deposits as you can, then put it in vinegar for few hours.

the other tang · 04/03/2010, 11:12 AM

I run mine in a container of vinegar to clean it as needed. I have also shot some RO/DI or a little vinegar down the air intake to clear any deposits, this seems to work. Occasionally it stops pulling air in, so I force air in with a baster and it takes off and runs normally.

04/02/2010, 04:01 PM	#1
Breathe13stars Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Angelo, Texas Posts: 85	Protien skimmer has halted on producing foam For the last week my Aqua C EV 180 has slowed way down on producing foam im running it at full blast with a mag 9.5. Over the last few weeks i have added several new pieces of coral in there I dont know if that could have caused it to slow down or what. I have not had any foam production in about a week, but yet the water seems to be really clear. Any suggestions???

04/02/2010, 04:11 PM	#2
gcarroll Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Orange, CA Posts: 9,666	any pics of the skimmer in action? Where is the water level at in the skimmer? __________________ Greg Carroll I will be at REEF-A-PALOOZA! SPS = Stability Promotes Success Be wary of advice coming from those who will not show you the fruits of their success! Current Tank Info: building: 250g AGE Euro tank, Abyzz A200, Vertex Supra-G filtration, Ecotech Radion Pro LEDs, ...

04/03/2010, 11:12 AM	#9
the other tang Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Cajun Country Posts: 359	I run mine in a container of vinegar to clean it as needed. I have also shot some RO/DI or a little vinegar down the air intake to clear any deposits, this seems to work. Occasionally it stops pulling air in, so I force air in with a baster and it takes off and runs normally. __________________ Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest of places if you look at it right. Current Tank Info: 105 gal reef

04/02/2010, 04:32 PM	#3
Breathe13stars Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Angelo, Texas Posts: 85	Here is some pics with the gate valve all the way open which is how I usually run it.

04/02/2010, 07:58 PM	#4
Rich123 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: California Posts: 96	Check the air intake valve, they clog up with calcium. Once that happens you will stop producing foam. Another thing to ck is the gate valve to make sure its not clogging up. Something else to ck is the collector cup overflow, that can become clogged over time and that will stop foam production. One thing is the water is to high in the tower. Once it raises to much you will not get any air draw into the unit. What size pump are you using? What water level is the skimmer setting in? Is the gate valve under water? Sorry, just saw the pump size. That mag 9.5 is oversize, you have to throttle it back going into the ev-180. That skimmer works best with about 700 gph pump. I would ck all the air points, looks like its clogged someplace and you are not drawing or exausting air correctly.

04/02/2010, 08:13 PM	#5
sabbath Premium Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Twin City's Mn. Posts: 1,771	Yea, Check the air valve, water should be white.

04/02/2010, 08:15 PM	#6
HaroldT Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Fresno, California Posts: 582	Yeah, you likely have a clog. Check the air intake. Probably just needs to be cleaned.

04/03/2010, 12:06 AM	#7
Breathe13stars Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Angelo, Texas Posts: 85	I tried cleaning it but it wasn't to easy, I don't even know if i did it properly. Any suggestions on how to do this. Whatever I did didnt help its still doing the same thing.

04/03/2010, 06:18 AM	#8
Crowed Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 244	Use needle or something similiar and try to rub as much deposits as you can, then put it in vinegar for few hours.