Help w/Bubblemaster 160

fisherman2 · 12/10/2009, 08:13 PM

Ok,
So I unplugged my skimmer today to feed my tank and when I plugged it back in the pump wouldnt start. So I turned it upside down and pulled the pump out(thinking maybe a piece of macro algae had gotten stuck in the pinwheel) but nothing was in it. So I went ahead and cleaned the neck and bottom of the skimmer, put it back together, and then plugged it back in. When it was plugged in, it sounded like it wasnt pulling as much air(not as loud of a gurgling noise) and the water level would not rise to where it usually is set at. The water wouldnt even go but 3/4 of the way up. So I decided that since it was in only 6" of water i would drop it down to 9". After doing that and setting the knife valve to a more open position i could finally get the water level back to where it was, but it seems WAY more turbulent inside the body than before and the foam head just will not form as well as it usually does(bigger bubbles also). What can I do to fix this? Has anyone had this happen to them before? Should I try getting the atb large purple pinwheel to get it to pull more air? And lastly would putting a bubble plate on it make it a more affective skimmer?
Thanks,
Will

jubjub · 12/10/2009, 09:56 PM

i had the same problem with the meshwheel....im actually waiting for my ppw to come in.

fisherman2 · 12/10/2009, 10:05 PM

so its not just me? When i put my finger over the airline the nozzle(inlet on the sicce) that sticks out the side stops but when i pull my finger off it pulls more air. Then a couple of seconds later its like the tubing gets an air pocket and stops pulling tons of air again.If that makes sense? Any help will be greatly appreciated. Do you think putting the reducer on the inlet of the sicce and the ppw will help?

chads120 · 12/14/2009, 03:01 PM

Get the ppw!!! You will never look back.

champ128 · 12/14/2009, 04:23 PM

I was constantly having trouble with mine and finally just gave up on it after two years and upgraded to a cone skimmer. I love it's performance and it is so quiet.

12/10/2009, 08:13 PM	#1
fisherman2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 171	Help w/Bubblemaster 160 Ok, So I unplugged my skimmer today to feed my tank and when I plugged it back in the pump wouldnt start. So I turned it upside down and pulled the pump out(thinking maybe a piece of macro algae had gotten stuck in the pinwheel) but nothing was in it. So I went ahead and cleaned the neck and bottom of the skimmer, put it back together, and then plugged it back in. When it was plugged in, it sounded like it wasnt pulling as much air(not as loud of a gurgling noise) and the water level would not rise to where it usually is set at. The water wouldnt even go but 3/4 of the way up. So I decided that since it was in only 6" of water i would drop it down to 9". After doing that and setting the knife valve to a more open position i could finally get the water level back to where it was, but it seems WAY more turbulent inside the body than before and the foam head just will not form as well as it usually does(bigger bubbles also). What can I do to fix this? Has anyone had this happen to them before? Should I try getting the atb large purple pinwheel to get it to pull more air? And lastly would putting a bubble plate on it make it a more affective skimmer? Thanks, Will

12/10/2009, 09:56 PM	#2
jubjub Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: vacaville, cali Posts: 2,698	i had the same problem with the meshwheel....im actually waiting for my ppw to come in. __________________ "The world holds two classes of men - intelligent men without religion, and religious men without intelligence." - Abu Ala Al-Maari

12/10/2009, 10:05 PM	#3
fisherman2 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 171	so its not just me? When i put my finger over the airline the nozzle(inlet on the sicce) that sticks out the side stops but when i pull my finger off it pulls more air. Then a couple of seconds later its like the tubing gets an air pocket and stops pulling tons of air again.If that makes sense? Any help will be greatly appreciated. Do you think putting the reducer on the inlet of the sicce and the ppw will help?

12/14/2009, 03:01 PM	#4
chads120 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Elk Grove,Ca Posts: 433	Get the ppw!!! You will never look back.

12/14/2009, 04:23 PM	#5
champ128 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: bloomfield, MI Posts: 65	I was constantly having trouble with mine and finally just gave up on it after two years and upgraded to a cone skimmer. I love it's performance and it is so quiet.