Ok I'm stumped - What is wrong with my protein skimmer??

dedecv3 · 12/18/2011, 11:25 AM

10 days ago I used My little Fishies Epoxy to reattach a Hammer that had gotten knocked over. Since that time my protein skimmer has not been skimming anything. Just creating TONS of micro bubbles in my tank. Here is a video of the skimmer in action.

dedecv3 · 12/18/2011, 11:30 AM

It is a Reef Octupus and has been running with no issue for 2+ years. Seems to be pumping just fine. I have only seen a small foam build up once and it was gone within 20 minutes and back to this.

bunzaroo · 12/18/2011, 12:07 PM

Epoxy tends to do this. Give it a week or so. Another thing you might want to check is the air tube. Make sure it is working properly. If the pump is not injecting air the skimmer will just fill up with water and cause th micro bubbles. This happened to my skimmer recently.

Tat2demon · 12/18/2011, 01:07 PM

+1

Not sure if carbon will speed it up but wouldn't hurt.

reefernutz · 12/18/2011, 01:12 PM

You should also run RODI water through the air tube at least once per month to clean out any deposits.

moondoggy4 · 12/18/2011, 01:37 PM

Remove the lid and run the skimmer.

wildman926 · 12/18/2011, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reefernutz

You should also run RODI water through the air tube at least once per month to clean out any deposits.

I just take the tube and stick it in the sump a couple of times real quick while it is running, and cleans right on up.

MarkGP · 12/18/2011, 05:02 PM

Looks like the venturi is clogged. Pull it off and clean the venturi and air line.

sig_1959 · 12/19/2011, 11:08 AM

Do not worry. I had the same problem with my Octopus when using epoxy. They are very sensitive to any chemistry in the water

dedecv3 · 12/19/2011, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sig_1959

Do not worry. I had the same problem with my Octopus when using epoxy. They are very sensitive to any chemistry in the water

It has been nearly 2 weeks now. I've done 2 small water changes and added carbon. I am going to try cleaning out the venturi & air line as MarkGP suggested.

reeftivo · 12/19/2011, 06:01 PM

it may be as simple as just needing to run some warm RO water through the airline.

If there's a significant carbonate blockage then you may need to soak in vinegar and ream out the air intake nipple with something like the blunt end of a tiny drill bit (not the cutting end). You will want to be careful not the score the plastic or else the calcium carbanate will collect faster on the scratches.

rjcranor · 12/19/2011, 06:19 PM

I have a reef octopus skimmer that had quit skimming, it started again about a month later. Not sure why but was advised by reef octopus skimmer to just let it run its course.

piscivorous · 12/19/2011, 07:09 PM

This sounds like the same problem I just posted about with my Euroreef skimmer....

RotaryGeek · 12/19/2011, 07:26 PM

So why use epoxy if it's going to kill the skimmer for weeks at a time? Super glue holds up decent enough till the frag can attach. In the case of frogspawn, I can understand. But unless it doesn't encrust, I would be using glue.

letoan · 12/19/2011, 07:32 PM

I have this problem when using epoxy as well, but only last a few hours to a day max. I usually reduce the water level in the skimmer when using epoxy and slowly adjust it back as the chemistry in the tank balance again.

reefereef · 12/19/2011, 08:50 PM

i use epoxy all the time and only observe a slight reduction in the foam head for maybe an hour or so and the skimmer is back to filling the cup full of foam, swc300 on a 220g sps

chercm · 12/20/2011, 06:02 AM

do water change after using epoxy

reefereef · 12/20/2011, 08:22 AM

Never done a water change

reefernutz · 12/20/2011, 08:46 AM

Total water volume plays a part as well. The same amount of epoxy will have a more drastic effect on a 60g tank than on a 210g tank.

MarkGP · 12/22/2011, 04:22 PM

Just wondering how you made out after cleaning the venturi and airline?

12/18/2011, 11:25 AM	#1
dedecv3 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Posts: 68	Ok I'm stumped - What is wrong with my protein skimmer?? 10 days ago I used My little Fishies Epoxy to reattach a Hammer that had gotten knocked over. Since that time my protein skimmer has not been skimming anything. Just creating TONS of micro bubbles in my tank. Here is a video of the skimmer in action.

12/18/2011, 12:07 PM	#3
bunzaroo Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Miami,FL Posts: 617	Epoxy tends to do this. Give it a week or so. Another thing you might want to check is the air tube. Make sure it is working properly. If the pump is not injecting air the skimmer will just fill up with water and cause th micro bubbles. This happened to my skimmer recently. __________________ Current Tank: Mized Reef 72 Bowfront, 105G (45X27X20) Reef Savvy Rimless in the works. Current Tank Info: 105 Gallon Reef Savvy Rimless, Mostly LPS/NPS and anemone's, 3 Bartlett Anthias, Royal Gramma, Green Spotted Mandarin, Yellow Tang, 2 Banghai Cardinals.

12/18/2011, 01:07 PM	#4
Tat2demon Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sioux Falls, SD Posts: 833	+1 Not sure if carbon will speed it up but wouldn't hurt. __________________ Nate cham - "Taste it, if it tastes like poop.....it is." Current Tank Info: 400 gallon in progress. 8x3x2.5

12/19/2011, 06:01 PM	#11
reeftivo Skim junkie Join Date: May 2008 Location: chino, CA Posts: 3,417	it may be as simple as just needing to run some warm RO water through the airline. If there's a significant carbonate blockage then you may need to soak in vinegar and ream out the air intake nipple with something like the blunt end of a tiny drill bit (not the cutting end). You will want to be careful not the score the plastic or else the calcium carbanate will collect faster on the scratches. __________________ I told you not to be stupid you moron!(Stern) Current Tank Info: 60 gal cube/20g tideline sump-mixed reef, Aquamaxx c-tech Ca Rx, Akula 160 skimmer, paxbellum N18, mitras LX7 lighting with T-5s, apex controller

12/19/2011, 07:26 PM	#14
RotaryGeek Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Central Texas Posts: 713	So why use epoxy if it's going to kill the skimmer for weeks at a time? Super glue holds up decent enough till the frag can attach. In the case of frogspawn, I can understand. But unless it doesn't encrust, I would be using glue. __________________ 125 w/ 30 gallon sump. ASM G3 w/ Sedra 9000 and gatevalve. Two Little Phishies 550 phosban reactor. 3x150w XM 10k MH, 2x 96w PC.

12/18/2011, 11:30 AM	#2
dedecv3 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Posts: 68	It is a Reef Octupus and has been running with no issue for 2+ years. Seems to be pumping just fine. I have only seen a small foam build up once and it was gone within 20 minutes and back to this.

12/18/2011, 01:12 PM	#5
reefernutz Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 235	You should also run RODI water through the air tube at least once per month to clean out any deposits.

12/18/2011, 01:37 PM	#6
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	Remove the lid and run the skimmer.

12/18/2011, 05:02 PM	#8
MarkGP Why do I do this? Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bristol, RI Posts: 1,015	Looks like the venturi is clogged. Pull it off and clean the venturi and air line.

12/19/2011, 11:08 AM	#9
sig_1959 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 135	Do not worry. I had the same problem with my Octopus when using epoxy. They are very sensitive to any chemistry in the water

12/19/2011, 06:19 PM	#12
rjcranor Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Fort Gratiot Mi. Posts: 341	I have a reef octopus skimmer that had quit skimming, it started again about a month later. Not sure why but was advised by reef octopus skimmer to just let it run its course.

12/19/2011, 07:09 PM	#13
piscivorous Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Groton, N.Y. Posts: 801	This sounds like the same problem I just posted about with my Euroreef skimmer....

12/19/2011, 07:32 PM	#15
letoan Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: MA Posts: 275	I have this problem when using epoxy as well, but only last a few hours to a day max. I usually reduce the water level in the skimmer when using epoxy and slowly adjust it back as the chemistry in the tank balance again.

12/19/2011, 08:50 PM	#16
reefereef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 325	i use epoxy all the time and only observe a slight reduction in the foam head for maybe an hour or so and the skimmer is back to filling the cup full of foam, swc300 on a 220g sps

12/20/2011, 06:02 AM	#17
chercm Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Singapore Posts: 2,971	do water change after using epoxy

12/20/2011, 08:22 AM	#18
reefereef Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 325	Never done a water change

12/20/2011, 08:46 AM	#19
reefernutz Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 235	Total water volume plays a part as well. The same amount of epoxy will have a more drastic effect on a 60g tank than on a 210g tank.

12/22/2011, 04:22 PM	#20
MarkGP Why do I do this? Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bristol, RI Posts: 1,015	Just wondering how you made out after cleaning the venturi and airline?

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