Need help with SWC MSX 250 skimmer

lawmary · 02/28/2012, 05:57 PM

Hi, I have an SWC MSX 250 skimmer with 2 SWC pumps on it. I can't get it to settle down - it is producing too many bubbles and overflowing the collection cup no matter how much I open or close the valve. I tried cleaning it, still doing the same thing. I've had it for three years. any help would be appreciated.

Gatesoray · 02/28/2012, 08:57 PM

How deep is the water level it is in? That could be a big part of it. Eachskimmer has a sweet spot for its water level... I would also contact SWC for help.

ZR1001 · 02/28/2012, 09:19 PM

Have you changed anything in the sump? New food or additive? In-sump skimmer are very sensitive to water level.

lawmary · 02/29/2012, 06:35 AM

It is in about 8" of water - same level it has been in for three years. I did send an email to SWC. also John from Marine solutions is helping. One week ago, the sump water level rose about 12" when I was cleaning my tank and the overflows and had to shut the main pump off, and of course the skimmer oveflowed. Ever since then (a week ago), it won't settle down. Usually it takes about a day to settle down and get back to work. Not this time. It's a frustrating mystery. I have not changed anything in the sump or added anything new to the water. I run a calcium reactor. feeding the same foods. That weekend I did a water change, cleaned the overflows, affixed some corals with putty. That was over one week ago. I ran it all last night without the cup on, and it is still overflowing. The water level in the skimmer is at least 1" below the neck and it is still overflowing.

ZR1001 · 02/29/2012, 10:17 AM

Try running couple of coups of carbon for 48 hours. This should remove nutrients which your skimmer dumped back into tank.

lawmary · 02/29/2012, 07:50 PM

Now I have run the pumps in a vinegar solution for an hour. When I started it up, the skimmer still acted the same way and overflowed. The only thing that lowers the bubbles to an acceptable level in the collection cup, is placing the air intake hose for one of the pumps into the water so it is not drawing air. The skimmer outflow tube is sending a lot of air bubbles into the sump. I'm going to try running it overnight and see if it skims. Will it hurt the pump though?

lawmary · 03/01/2012, 06:16 AM

Still no luck. I'm going to try replacing the meshwheel with a pinwheel.

lawmary · 03/17/2012, 10:40 AM

I replaced the 3 year old mesh wheels with pinwheels inside the pumps, and that fixed the problem. Thanks to all who offered advice. I'm posting this so anyone else who has a similar problem will have the answer.

Boa1277 · 03/17/2012, 10:51 PM

Run freshwater through the air intake it sounds like it has salt buildup and the intake is plugged you may need to use a tooth pick and clean out the hole

02/28/2012, 05:57 PM	#1
lawmary 180 gl. reef tank Join Date: May 2005 Location: Orwigsburg, PA Posts: 291	Need help with SWC MSX 250 skimmer Hi, I have an SWC MSX 250 skimmer with 2 SWC pumps on it. I can't get it to settle down - it is producing too many bubbles and overflowing the collection cup no matter how much I open or close the valve. I tried cleaning it, still doing the same thing. I've had it for three years. any help would be appreciated. __________________ Mary T. 180 gallon reef tank Current Tank Info: Multibar angel pair, Bellus angel, Clowns, lyretail anthias, cardinals, blenny, leopard wrasse, softies, LPS, SPS

02/29/2012, 06:35 AM	#4
lawmary 180 gl. reef tank Join Date: May 2005 Location: Orwigsburg, PA Posts: 291	It is in about 8" of water - same level it has been in for three years. I did send an email to SWC. also John from Marine solutions is helping. One week ago, the sump water level rose about 12" when I was cleaning my tank and the overflows and had to shut the main pump off, and of course the skimmer oveflowed. Ever since then (a week ago), it won't settle down. Usually it takes about a day to settle down and get back to work. Not this time. It's a frustrating mystery. I have not changed anything in the sump or added anything new to the water. I run a calcium reactor. feeding the same foods. That weekend I did a water change, cleaned the overflows, affixed some corals with putty. That was over one week ago. I ran it all last night without the cup on, and it is still overflowing. The water level in the skimmer is at least 1" below the neck and it is still overflowing. __________________ Mary T. 180 gallon reef tank Current Tank Info: Multibar angel pair, Bellus angel, Clowns, lyretail anthias, cardinals, blenny, leopard wrasse, softies, LPS, SPS

02/29/2012, 07:50 PM	#6
lawmary 180 gl. reef tank Join Date: May 2005 Location: Orwigsburg, PA Posts: 291	Now I have run the pumps in a vinegar solution for an hour. When I started it up, the skimmer still acted the same way and overflowed. The only thing that lowers the bubbles to an acceptable level in the collection cup, is placing the air intake hose for one of the pumps into the water so it is not drawing air. The skimmer outflow tube is sending a lot of air bubbles into the sump. I'm going to try running it overnight and see if it skims. Will it hurt the pump though? __________________ Mary T. 180 gallon reef tank Current Tank Info: Multibar angel pair, Bellus angel, Clowns, lyretail anthias, cardinals, blenny, leopard wrasse, softies, LPS, SPS

03/01/2012, 06:16 AM	#7
lawmary 180 gl. reef tank Join Date: May 2005 Location: Orwigsburg, PA Posts: 291	Still no luck. I'm going to try replacing the meshwheel with a pinwheel. __________________ Mary T. 180 gallon reef tank Current Tank Info: Multibar angel pair, Bellus angel, Clowns, lyretail anthias, cardinals, blenny, leopard wrasse, softies, LPS, SPS

03/17/2012, 10:40 AM	#8
lawmary 180 gl. reef tank Join Date: May 2005 Location: Orwigsburg, PA Posts: 291	I replaced the 3 year old mesh wheels with pinwheels inside the pumps, and that fixed the problem. Thanks to all who offered advice. I'm posting this so anyone else who has a similar problem will have the answer. __________________ Mary T. 180 gallon reef tank Current Tank Info: Multibar angel pair, Bellus angel, Clowns, lyretail anthias, cardinals, blenny, leopard wrasse, softies, LPS, SPS

02/28/2012, 08:57 PM	#2
Gatesoray Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SWFL Posts: 21	How deep is the water level it is in? That could be a big part of it. Eachskimmer has a sweet spot for its water level... I would also contact SWC for help.

02/28/2012, 09:19 PM	#3
ZR1001 Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 359	Have you changed anything in the sump? New food or additive? In-sump skimmer are very sensitive to water level.

02/29/2012, 10:17 AM	#5
ZR1001 Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: Folsom, CA Posts: 359	Try running couple of coups of carbon for 48 hours. This should remove nutrients which your skimmer dumped back into tank.

03/17/2012, 10:51 PM	#9
Boa1277 Registered Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Tucson Posts: 317	Run freshwater through the air intake it sounds like it has salt buildup and the intake is plugged you may need to use a tooth pick and clean out the hole