Can you help me?? Protein Skimmer.

[kerritedgi]

Hi, we recently installed a new pump to our protein skimmer and since then although it flows water into the skimmer, there is no protein generated into the cup. Any ideas on what could be happening here? It has been installed for quite some time and has never generated protein so I think we are past the wait and see period...

Thanks in advance!

[BodiBuilt]

What type of skimmer? You say it flows water into the skimmer, but is it producing massive amounts of tiny bubbles inside the reaction chamber?

[kerritedgi]

HI thank you - no it is not producing tiny bubbles, the water swirls in the skimmer tower without bubbles.

It is a Kent Marine Nautilus Turbo Eductor skimmer.

thank you!!!

[BodiBuilt]

Your lack of bubbles is the problem.
This is a quote taken from a website about your skimmer:

"The Kent Marine Nautilus TE protein skimmer has some unique features that contribute to its’ remarkable operating efficiency. The Turbo•Eductor fitting mounted on the pump intake mixes air with the incoming water; this air is obliterated into millions of miniscule bubbles, and the water/air mix is pumped into the skimmer. Although the water and air inflow to the skimmer changes directions within the unit, flow is essentially laminar thanks to attention to details that eliminate turbulent areas; the result is that the bubbles don’t have a chance to congregate and become larger (larger bubbles decrease skimming efficiency). The water/air mix is injected into the reaction chamber tangentially. In essence this means that the angle at which the mix enters the chamber causes cyclonic rotation, which maximizes reaction time and greatly aids the efficiency and effectiveness of the unit. The reaction chamber in itself is a great feature of the Nautilus TE, with an overall volume of approximately 295 cubic inches! Compare this with the reaction volume of many skimmers considered to be in the same class and you’ll quickly see that the Nautilus truly is in a league of its’ own! The water/air mix spiral up through the reaction chamber, appearing as a milky-white fog of bubbles, culminating at the collar atop the chamber. From there, they are pushed upwards through the foam rise tower, all the while becoming drier as the proteinaceous compounds adhering to the bubbles rise further from the turbulent froth below."

Did you replace the pump with the same style/brand as original? Maybe the "Turbo-Eductor fitting" is still on your old pump?
The piece in question looks like this~
[IMG][/IMG]
If you do not have this piece you can order it from manufacturer
http://www.kentmarine.com/products/n...mp-skimmer.htm

[kerritedgi]

thank you SO much, the piece was on the old pump!

[BodiBuilt]

Your welcome - glad I could help.