H&S skimmer won't skim? Any idea's?

jacksparrow7 · 11/05/2007, 10:19 PM

Aloha all, I just moved my sump setup (sump and gear ) down to a basement setup and it worked out great except my H&S (110-F2000 Pump: Aqua Bee 2000/18W ) doesn't skim any more. It just fills up with water to just below the collection cup. I know if the salinity is to low it won't skim right but mine is right on 1.025. I have taken it apart cleaned it and still nothing. Any help? Mahalo for the help. Jack

CruzinKim · 11/05/2007, 10:22 PM

Give Fins Reef a call, I'm sure they'll be able to help you troubleshoot.

jacksparrow7 · 11/05/2007, 10:31 PM

Thank you very much.

Percula9 · 11/06/2007, 09:50 PM

Maybe it just needs to break in again. Check the venturi for salt biuld up.

kevin95695 · 11/06/2007, 10:13 PM

Stupid skimmer. I'll take it off your hands.

jacksparrow7 · 11/07/2007, 12:01 PM

I cleaned out the venturi and still no skim just water with a few bubbles at the top (no foam). Thanks but I'll try and fix it Kevin.
Mahalo Jack

DarG · 11/07/2007, 12:08 PM

The aquabee must either not be running at all or it's not drawing air. Re-check the air line, air valve if you are using one, and the impeller of the pump.

jacksparrow7 · 11/08/2007, 01:01 AM

It is running because water is being brought into the chamber and filling. The air line I changed and needle wheel seems to be working fine with no build up or anything. I'll try and post a pic later today. Thanks for the help because this one has me stumped.

MichiP · 11/08/2007, 02:36 AM

hi

did you change the water depth of the sump compartment in which the skimmer is located?
maybe it gets too much pressure?

DarG · 11/08/2007, 09:00 AM

I see, it's an in sump skimmer. OK, have you checked the air path in the nventuri fitting on the pump itself? Are you sure that is clear of any build-up or obstruction?

FinsReef · 11/08/2007, 09:28 AM

It sounds like calcium deposits have built up on the shaft of the impeller. Take the impeller out. Remove the shaft from the impeller. Soak both parts in 100% vinager overnight. Then run a pipecleaner thru thru the inside of the impeller, and clean the shaft with a scotchbrite pad. That should have it performing again like new. That is assuming that there in nothing blocking the venturi. It would not hurt to soak it overnight also.
HTH
Brian

CruzinKim · 11/08/2007, 10:39 AM

I've found that with other skimmers, just soaking 2 hours the shaft and impeller in 100% distilled white vinegar removes calcium deposits. The only time I've had to soak overnight is when the shaft won't come out of the impeller. HTH

jacksparrow7 · 11/08/2007, 10:52 AM

Wow Great help everyone, I'll soak it tonight and clean it with a pipe cleaner. Could the calcium build up be so small I couldn't see it or feel it but still effect the performance of this great skimmer?
Michip; the pump is maybe a 1" deeper than what it was before but aquabee is a great pump so I don't think pressure is a real issue here.

Brian: Wow, you guys where my next call if nothing here worked just like CruzinKim suggested in the begining to do but your answer is right here. You guys are great and as allways have great stuff. I've bought many of items from ya. Thank you so much for the advice and I'll let you know tommorrow. Mahalo

jacksparrow7 · 11/09/2007, 11:38 AM

Aloha all, So I soaked the shaft,venturi, and needle wheel in vinegar overnight and rinsed it off this am and fired it up to DAMM samething. Well here is a several thousand words to see if it helps. The amount of bubbles in the skimmer are with the airline wide open and the output fairly low. When it was in my other skimmer I had the airline just slightly crack opened and the output was almost all they open. The water level used to be just in the middle of the neck and the amount of foam just made it to 1/4" below the top of the collection cup inner tube,perfect. Now the water line I can make to that same 1/4 with hardely any bubbles and now faom. That is the other thing, before it was like foam where this is just large bubbles. I am getting desperate here. Oh, yea I did shange the filter soaks before you all attack me which was only two days old with the skimmer running. I don't know how much it maders but my pH is 8.2 and salinity is 1.025 temp 79 and all other values (I know you hate this) within normal range.

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...loween_026.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...loween_025.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...loween_020.jpg

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...loween_018.jpg

jacksparrow7 · 11/09/2007, 11:40 AM

Sorry I forgot this one

http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...loween_014.jpg

Thanks for the help.

FinsReef · 11/09/2007, 12:15 PM

After soaking did you clean the impeller with a pipe cleaner and the impeller shaft with a scrub pad? It appears from the pic's it is not producing enough air. This is 99% of the time caused by build up on the impeller shaft. The other 1% is a clogged venturi. However if you wish you can ship it to us and we will be happy to test it and get it running then ship it back to you. A couple of other things do you have the cap to the other end of the shaft and when the impeller is put together will it spin freely on the shaft. If it will only spin two to three times before slowing down then the shaft or impeller still has build up on it. I know it is relative as to how hard you spin the impeller but this is the easiest way to describe it. If you wish you can call us I will be at the store all day as it may be easier troubleshoot over the phone.

Eric

jacksparrow7 · 11/12/2007, 01:40 PM

Aloha, yes I cleaned the impeller and the shaft but I don't think it worked but I am going to run this for a few days just to see if it needs breaking in again. I'll let you folks know. Mahalo Eirc

USC-fan · 11/12/2007, 06:14 PM

When you move your sump did you add anything to your set up?

How did you clean the skimmer the first time??

First thing i would do is heat up some ro/di water and let the skimmer suck it through the airline. This would clean any salt build up.

11/05/2007, 10:19 PM	#1
jacksparrow7 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NH Posts: 135	H&S skimmer won't skim? Any idea's? Aloha all, I just moved my sump setup (sump and gear ) down to a basement setup and it worked out great except my H&S (110-F2000 Pump: Aqua Bee 2000/18W ) doesn't skim any more. It just fills up with water to just below the collection cup. I know if the salinity is to low it won't skim right but mine is right on 1.025. I have taken it apart cleaned it and still nothing. Any help? Mahalo for the help. Jack __________________ " But why is the Rum gone?" " Take what you can give nothing back for tomorrow may never come" Current Tank Info: 90gal pentagon corner

11/05/2007, 10:31 PM	#3
jacksparrow7 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NH Posts: 135	Thank you very much. __________________ " But why is the Rum gone?" " Take what you can give nothing back for tomorrow may never come" Current Tank Info: 90gal pentagon corner

11/06/2007, 10:13 PM	#5
kevin95695 Member of the Registry Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Perimeter patrol. Posts: 3,469	Stupid skimmer. I'll take it off your hands. __________________ You wouldn't believe it if I told you. Go put on the helmet. Did I say that out loud? Current Tank Info: Color chunks in a big water box.

11/07/2007, 12:01 PM	#6
jacksparrow7 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NH Posts: 135	I cleaned out the venturi and still no skim just water with a few bubbles at the top (no foam). Thanks but I'll try and fix it Kevin. Mahalo Jack __________________ " But why is the Rum gone?" " Take what you can give nothing back for tomorrow may never come" Current Tank Info: 90gal pentagon corner

11/08/2007, 01:01 AM	#8
jacksparrow7 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NH Posts: 135	It is running because water is being brought into the chamber and filling. The air line I changed and needle wheel seems to be working fine with no build up or anything. I'll try and post a pic later today. Thanks for the help because this one has me stumped. __________________ " But why is the Rum gone?" " Take what you can give nothing back for tomorrow may never come" Current Tank Info: 90gal pentagon corner

11/05/2007, 10:22 PM	#2
CruzinKim Moved On Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: If Not There, Then Here. Posts: 693	Give Fins Reef a call, I'm sure they'll be able to help you troubleshoot.

11/06/2007, 09:50 PM	#4
Percula9 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orange County CA Posts: 3,819	Maybe it just needs to break in again. Check the venturi for salt biuld up.

11/07/2007, 12:08 PM	#7
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	The aquabee must either not be running at all or it's not drawing air. Re-check the air line, air valve if you are using one, and the impeller of the pump.

11/08/2007, 02:36 AM	#9
MichiP Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Austria Posts: 10	hi did you change the water depth of the sump compartment in which the skimmer is located? maybe it gets too much pressure?

11/08/2007, 09:00 AM	#10
DarG Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,515	I see, it's an in sump skimmer. OK, have you checked the air path in the nventuri fitting on the pump itself? Are you sure that is clear of any build-up or obstruction?

11/08/2007, 09:28 AM	#11
FinsReef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Shelby,NC Posts: 323	It sounds like calcium deposits have built up on the shaft of the impeller. Take the impeller out. Remove the shaft from the impeller. Soak both parts in 100% vinager overnight. Then run a pipecleaner thru thru the inside of the impeller, and clean the shaft with a scotchbrite pad. That should have it performing again like new. That is assuming that there in nothing blocking the venturi. It would not hurt to soak it overnight also. HTH Brian

11/08/2007, 10:39 AM	#12
CruzinKim Moved On Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: If Not There, Then Here. Posts: 693	I've found that with other skimmers, just soaking 2 hours the shaft and impeller in 100% distilled white vinegar removes calcium deposits. The only time I've had to soak overnight is when the shaft won't come out of the impeller. HTH

11/08/2007, 10:52 AM	#13
jacksparrow7 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NH Posts: 135	Wow Great help everyone, I'll soak it tonight and clean it with a pipe cleaner. Could the calcium build up be so small I couldn't see it or feel it but still effect the performance of this great skimmer? Michip; the pump is maybe a 1" deeper than what it was before but aquabee is a great pump so I don't think pressure is a real issue here. Brian: Wow, you guys where my next call if nothing here worked just like CruzinKim suggested in the begining to do but your answer is right here. You guys are great and as allways have great stuff. I've bought many of items from ya. Thank you so much for the advice and I'll let you know tommorrow. Mahalo __________________ " But why is the Rum gone?" " Take what you can give nothing back for tomorrow may never come" Current Tank Info: 90gal pentagon corner

11/09/2007, 11:38 AM	#14
jacksparrow7 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NH Posts: 135	This is getting very old Aloha all, So I soaked the shaft,venturi, and needle wheel in vinegar overnight and rinsed it off this am and fired it up to DAMM samething. Well here is a several thousand words to see if it helps. The amount of bubbles in the skimmer are with the airline wide open and the output fairly low. When it was in my other skimmer I had the airline just slightly crack opened and the output was almost all they open. The water level used to be just in the middle of the neck and the amount of foam just made it to 1/4" below the top of the collection cup inner tube,perfect. Now the water line I can make to that same 1/4 with hardely any bubbles and now faom. That is the other thing, before it was like foam where this is just large bubbles. I am getting desperate here. Oh, yea I did shange the filter soaks before you all attack me which was only two days old with the skimmer running. I don't know how much it maders but my pH is 8.2 and salinity is 1.025 temp 79 and all other values (I know you hate this) within normal range. http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...loween_026.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...loween_025.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...loween_020.jpg http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...loween_018.jpg __________________ " But why is the Rum gone?" " Take what you can give nothing back for tomorrow may never come" Current Tank Info: 90gal pentagon corner

11/09/2007, 11:40 AM	#15
jacksparrow7 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NH Posts: 135	opps Sorry I forgot this one http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/...loween_014.jpg Thanks for the help. __________________ " But why is the Rum gone?" " Take what you can give nothing back for tomorrow may never come" Current Tank Info: 90gal pentagon corner

11/09/2007, 12:15 PM	#16
FinsReef Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Shelby,NC Posts: 323	After soaking did you clean the impeller with a pipe cleaner and the impeller shaft with a scrub pad? It appears from the pic's it is not producing enough air. This is 99% of the time caused by build up on the impeller shaft. The other 1% is a clogged venturi. However if you wish you can ship it to us and we will be happy to test it and get it running then ship it back to you. A couple of other things do you have the cap to the other end of the shaft and when the impeller is put together will it spin freely on the shaft. If it will only spin two to three times before slowing down then the shaft or impeller still has build up on it. I know it is relative as to how hard you spin the impeller but this is the easiest way to describe it. If you wish you can call us I will be at the store all day as it may be easier troubleshoot over the phone. Eric

11/12/2007, 01:40 PM	#17
jacksparrow7 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: NH Posts: 135	Aloha, yes I cleaned the impeller and the shaft but I don't think it worked but I am going to run this for a few days just to see if it needs breaking in again. I'll let you folks know. Mahalo Eirc __________________ " But why is the Rum gone?" " Take what you can give nothing back for tomorrow may never come" Current Tank Info: 90gal pentagon corner

11/12/2007, 06:14 PM	#18
USC-fan Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 3,626	When you move your sump did you add anything to your set up? How did you clean the skimmer the first time?? First thing i would do is heat up some ro/di water and let the skimmer suck it through the airline. This would clean any salt build up.