Skimmer lacking bubbles....help

Logzor · 10/26/2007, 05:04 PM

I have a CSS 125. Recently there have been a lack of bubbles in the back chamber of my skimmer. Sometimes the bubbles completely stop and the skimmer does not skim at all.

I tried to fix the problem by cleaning the water intake. I noticed that when I partially covered the intake with my fingers TONS of bubbles were created in the skimming chamber.

Currently it is producing about a third of the bubbles it needs to be producing.

I feel that for some reason air is being trapped in the hose that connects from the intake up to the top of the skimmer.

Anyone know what to clean or move to make it work properly?

Logzor · 10/26/2007, 05:25 PM

Never mind.

I found that by moving the intake pump 3 inches below the water level makes it work fantastic.

I do not understand why the down tube is like 8 inches long.

Think it would be safe to just cut this tube to the length that I need it at?

For now I just have the pump moved so that it is sitting on top of a rock facing towards the surface of the water.

reefkrazy · 10/26/2007, 05:25 PM

run fresh water throught the intake hose. Also the little round part with the venturi intake valve thing( it goes into the pump between the strainer and pump) take a tooth pick and clean the salt build up in it. also running fresh water through it will help clean it. you are not sucking a lot of air through it. I have the css 65 model and had to do that all the time.

reefkrazy · 10/26/2007, 05:27 PM

i modded mine to suck water from the surfice. it took off the oil slick look on top of the water.

reefkrazy · 10/26/2007, 05:33 PM

here are some old pics of the mod i did on the css65

Logzor · 10/26/2007, 06:30 PM

Nice mod!

Can you tell me what and where to get those parts?

reefkrazy · 10/26/2007, 07:24 PM

sure slip on slip 90. slip coupling, srainer from bulk head 1" take your strainer from the pump and hot glue it into the 90. that's it. you may have to cut the strainer a little to fit in it. also I think I shaved the inside of the 90 so it would fit in it.

reefkrazy · 10/26/2007, 07:25 PM

home depot

10/26/2007, 05:04 PM	#1
Logzor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kenwood, Ohio Posts: 4,073	Skimmer lacking bubbles....help I have a CSS 125. Recently there have been a lack of bubbles in the back chamber of my skimmer. Sometimes the bubbles completely stop and the skimmer does not skim at all. I tried to fix the problem by cleaning the water intake. I noticed that when I partially covered the intake with my fingers TONS of bubbles were created in the skimming chamber. Currently it is producing about a third of the bubbles it needs to be producing. I feel that for some reason air is being trapped in the hose that connects from the intake up to the top of the skimmer. Anyone know what to clean or move to make it work properly?

10/26/2007, 05:25 PM	#3
reefkrazy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: southington, CT Posts: 953	run fresh water throught the intake hose. Also the little round part with the venturi intake valve thing( it goes into the pump between the strainer and pump) take a tooth pick and clean the salt build up in it. also running fresh water through it will help clean it. you are not sucking a lot of air through it. I have the css 65 model and had to do that all the time. __________________ To reef or not to reef, That is the question! Current Tank Info: 90g display, 55g sump/ Refuge, 400w APO fixture with 20k radiums, 250w 10k hqi, 2-110w vho actinics, Euroreef skimmer, vortech pump, phosban reactor

10/26/2007, 05:27 PM	#4
reefkrazy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: southington, CT Posts: 953	i modded mine to suck water from the surfice. it took off the oil slick look on top of the water. __________________ To reef or not to reef, That is the question! Current Tank Info: 90g display, 55g sump/ Refuge, 400w APO fixture with 20k radiums, 250w 10k hqi, 2-110w vho actinics, Euroreef skimmer, vortech pump, phosban reactor

10/26/2007, 05:33 PM	#5
reefkrazy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: southington, CT Posts: 953	here are some old pics of the mod i did on the css65 __________________ To reef or not to reef, That is the question! Current Tank Info: 90g display, 55g sump/ Refuge, 400w APO fixture with 20k radiums, 250w 10k hqi, 2-110w vho actinics, Euroreef skimmer, vortech pump, phosban reactor

10/26/2007, 07:24 PM	#7
reefkrazy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: southington, CT Posts: 953	sure slip on slip 90. slip coupling, srainer from bulk head 1" take your strainer from the pump and hot glue it into the 90. that's it. you may have to cut the strainer a little to fit in it. also I think I shaved the inside of the 90 so it would fit in it. __________________ To reef or not to reef, That is the question! Current Tank Info: 90g display, 55g sump/ Refuge, 400w APO fixture with 20k radiums, 250w 10k hqi, 2-110w vho actinics, Euroreef skimmer, vortech pump, phosban reactor

10/26/2007, 06:30 PM	#6
Logzor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kenwood, Ohio Posts: 4,073	Nice mod! Can you tell me what and where to get those parts?

10/26/2007, 07:25 PM	#8
reefkrazy Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: southington, CT Posts: 953	home depot __________________ To reef or not to reef, That is the question! Current Tank Info: 90g display, 55g sump/ Refuge, 400w APO fixture with 20k radiums, 250w 10k hqi, 2-110w vho actinics, Euroreef skimmer, vortech pump, phosban reactor