Stupid Question re: CPR Skimmer

SMaxwell · 07/27/2009, 08:56 PM

I am setting up my nano after 4 years, I have an older model CPR in sump skimmer, like a backpack, but goes in the sump. I hooked up the pump I had on it before, a Via Aqua 480 and hooked up the airline and it is pumping water, but I get no bubbles. I have the airtube hooked up to the little tit on the tube that goes between the pump and the Skimmer body. Instead of sucking air down the line, the water is going up my airline almost the level of the water in the skimmer. It used to work! I put an airpump on the airline and It does push air down the line and into the skimmer, but I get big bubbles, not the fine skimmer bubbles I remember. I cannot figure out what I am doing wrong?!

drummereef · 07/27/2009, 09:01 PM

Did you buy new airline or are you using the same airline you had from before? It might be clogged with salt creep not allowing enough air to travel through the tube. Otherwise, check your pump and make sure the nipple where the airline is attached is free of any salt creep or debris. Also, you have the end of the airline tubing out of the water right?

SMaxwell · 07/27/2009, 09:11 PM

I don't think the tube is clogged because I can blow air through it and get bubbles in the skimmer, that way. End of the tube is out of the water. I tried two different pumps. Could it be that my water level in the sump is too high? Like I said the water is rising up the tube. What level of water should the skimmer be in?

Tadashi · 07/27/2009, 09:23 PM

That is your problem. The air tube needs to be right at where the water is being sucked in or the pump will push water through the path of least resistance (ie the air tube). Being between the pump and the skimmer the pump will push water through the path of least resistance (ie the air tube).

SMaxwell · 07/27/2009, 09:34 PM

Ok, I'm not sure I get it, (I feel stupid as I had this skimmer set up for years...a 40 year old brain forgets a lot in 4 years!)
My airline is hooked up to a little nipple coming off the short pipe between the outpit of the pump and the skimmer, am I supposed to have it hoooked up on the other side of the pump (the intake side)?

Tadashi · 07/27/2009, 09:38 PM

Yes. The air must be coming from the pump intake. If it is at the pump outflow the pump will push water through it. The pump must pull air and water at the same time and feed it into the skimmer. If the air hose is after the outflow then it cannot pull air.

Move the nipple connection to the front of the pump.

<= water flow [skimmer] [pump] [air intake] <= water flow

not

<= water flow [skimmer] [air intake] [pump] <=water flow

SMaxwell · 07/27/2009, 09:49 PM

DOH! Makes perfect sense now. I must be missing some plumbing pieces somewhere, I couldn't find anything with an airline attachment that fit on the intake side of my pump, I'll have to look around some more or rig something up. Thanks!

titnguyen · 07/27/2009, 11:01 PM

Good look!

07/27/2009, 08:56 PM	#1
SMaxwell Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: SW Colorado Posts: 57	Stupid Question re: CPR Skimmer I am setting up my nano after 4 years, I have an older model CPR in sump skimmer, like a backpack, but goes in the sump. I hooked up the pump I had on it before, a Via Aqua 480 and hooked up the airline and it is pumping water, but I get no bubbles. I have the airtube hooked up to the little tit on the tube that goes between the pump and the Skimmer body. Instead of sucking air down the line, the water is going up my airline almost the level of the water in the skimmer. It used to work! I put an airpump on the airline and It does push air down the line and into the skimmer, but I get big bubbles, not the fine skimmer bubbles I remember. I cannot figure out what I am doing wrong?!

07/27/2009, 09:01 PM	#2
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	Did you buy new airline or are you using the same airline you had from before? It might be clogged with salt creep not allowing enough air to travel through the tube. Otherwise, check your pump and make sure the nipple where the airline is attached is free of any salt creep or debris. Also, you have the end of the airline tubing out of the water right? __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

07/27/2009, 09:23 PM	#4
Tadashi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Ft. Hood, TX, USA Posts: 2,252	That is your problem. The air tube needs to be right at where the water is being sucked in or the pump will push water through the path of least resistance (ie the air tube). Being between the pump and the skimmer the pump will push water through the path of least resistance (ie the air tube). __________________ Honey, put down the bleach and step away from the tank. I promise we will spend more quality time together. Current Tank Info: 14-gal Oceanic BioCube (see homepage link for current status)

07/27/2009, 09:38 PM	#6
Tadashi Premium Member Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Ft. Hood, TX, USA Posts: 2,252	Yes. The air must be coming from the pump intake. If it is at the pump outflow the pump will push water through it. The pump must pull air and water at the same time and feed it into the skimmer. If the air hose is after the outflow then it cannot pull air. Move the nipple connection to the front of the pump. <= water flow [skimmer] [pump] [air intake] <= water flow not <= water flow [skimmer] [air intake] [pump] <=water flow __________________ Honey, put down the bleach and step away from the tank. I promise we will spend more quality time together. Current Tank Info: 14-gal Oceanic BioCube (see homepage link for current status)

07/27/2009, 11:01 PM	#8
titnguyen Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: La Habra, Orange County, CA Posts: 98	Good look! __________________ SO LUCKY TO BE A REEFER! Current Tank Info: 100 gallons tank, 100 gallons sump, ASM G3 Skimmer, Dual 250W MH, SPS & LPS

07/27/2009, 09:11 PM	#3
SMaxwell Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: SW Colorado Posts: 57	I don't think the tube is clogged because I can blow air through it and get bubbles in the skimmer, that way. End of the tube is out of the water. I tried two different pumps. Could it be that my water level in the sump is too high? Like I said the water is rising up the tube. What level of water should the skimmer be in?

07/27/2009, 09:34 PM	#5
SMaxwell Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: SW Colorado Posts: 57	Ok, I'm not sure I get it, (I feel stupid as I had this skimmer set up for years...a 40 year old brain forgets a lot in 4 years!) My airline is hooked up to a little nipple coming off the short pipe between the outpit of the pump and the skimmer, am I supposed to have it hoooked up on the other side of the pump (the intake side)?

07/27/2009, 09:49 PM	#7
SMaxwell Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: SW Colorado Posts: 57	DOH! Makes perfect sense now. I must be missing some plumbing pieces somewhere, I couldn't find anything with an airline attachment that fit on the intake side of my pump, I'll have to look around some more or rig something up. Thanks!