Aquamaxx: Which one? - Page 2

wildman926 · 05/15/2013, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Down

Well, another day in the saga that is me and protein skimmers. Skimmer had been rock solid until today but it started acting super erratic so I looked a little closer and the bubble plate had popped off of the pump. It turned it off, placed the plate back on (although it sure didn't seem very stable) and the second I turned it back on it shot the bubble plate right off again. I then yanked the skimmer out of the sump, took the cover off and inspected it but can't see anything really wrong with it other than the fact that the plate just won't securely fasten to the output of the pump.

So, until I can figure this out, I'm skimmerless again. Getting a skimmer to work properly for a week really shouldn't be this much of a chore, should it?

Sorry for your troubles, you do have the worst luck with skimmers.

So the tubing for the bubble plate that attaches to the pump, refresh my memory, is it threaded or just attaches? You can use some Teflon tape to make it more snug either way. You shouldn't have to being a new skimmer. I would do what I suggested, but take pics to show whomever you bought it from so they can warranty it for you.

Down · 05/15/2013, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildman926

Sorry for your troubles, you do have the worst luck with skimmers.

So the tubing for the bubble plate that attaches to the pump, refresh my memory, is it threaded or just attaches? You can use some Teflon tape to make it more snug either way. You shouldn't have to being a new skimmer. I would do what I suggested, but take pics to show whomever you bought it from so they can warranty it for you.

Just slides in BUUUT, your comment got me to thinking/looking closer at something. Is this supposed to be one piece?

I would guess so and if I'm right, it was delivered broken. I (mistakenly) assumed the plate just lipped over. It wasn't until just now that I realized that gray piece slid right off the pump.

So, it would seem that this would be an easy fix but since I've heard even epoxies make a skimmer go nuts, I wonder if I could pull this off? I have some JB Water Weld sitting around....

***EDIT*** It appears that I was right. Sounds like this was a known issue with the EM500s. Soooo, I guess I'm back to researching for a new skimmer.

Hellion179 · 05/15/2013, 08:01 PM

I'd use a liquid marine epoxy. Most of them are safe when dry. Also, when dry I don't think you'll see it doing much with your skimmer(as in going crazy).

Down · 05/15/2013, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hellion179

I'd use a liquid marine epoxy. Most of them are safe when dry. Also, when dry I don't think you'll see it doing much with your skimmer(as in going crazy).

It appears that I can take back my apology for grabbing the last one of these out from under you, huh?

Yeah, I'm seriously considering doing that. I have WaterWeld sitting around and no more force than is exerted on this, I can't imagine I'd need much at all.....

Hellion179 · 05/15/2013, 08:11 PM

Lol. It's all good man. I hope you can get it fixed and working. Seeing two threads like this really sucks and steers me away from that skimmer....

wildman926 · 05/15/2013, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Down

It appears that I can take back my apology for grabbing the last one of these out from under you, huh?

Yeah, I'm seriously considering doing that. I have WaterWeld sitting around and no more force than is exerted on this, I can't imagine I'd need much at all.....

Go for it. It won't hurt, and you will be back in business.

Down · 05/15/2013, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wildman926

Go for it. It won't hurt, and you will be back in business.

Yeah, I didn't consider it for that long. Should be set up in 45 minutes or so. If it works, the $4 I spent on Water Weld will have saved a skimmer and a Hammerhead algae cleaner. I'd say I'd get my $4 worth.

Down · 05/15/2013, 09:53 PM

Working so far.

*fingers crossed*

coral_lagoon · 05/15/2013, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Down

Just slides in BUUUT, your comment got me to thinking/looking closer at something. Is this supposed to be one piece?

I would guess so and if I'm right, it was delivered broken. I (mistakenly) assumed the plate just lipped over. It wasn't until just now that I realized that gray piece slid right off the pump.

So, it would seem that this would be an easy fix but since I've heard even epoxies make a skimmer go nuts, I wonder if I could pull this off? I have some JB Water Weld sitting around....

***EDIT*** It appears that I was right. Sounds like this was a known issue with the EM500s. Soooo, I guess I'm back to researching for a new skimmer.

I got two EM500s that had this part come off too. I think they should of had the male part on the grey pvc pipe fit more tight/snug into the hole on the bubble diffuser plate. If it fit more snug,and then glued. The bond would be alot stronger IMO..

wildman926 · 05/16/2013, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Down

Working so far.

*fingers crossed*

Glad to read that it is working for you!

It should be packaged differently. Obviously, the bubble plate assembly is too heavy to just rely on the connection to the pump to secure it during shipping.

A little issue like this should not keep someone from going with these skimmers. If something as minor as this deters them, then they are in the wrong hobby.

05/15/2013, 08:01 PM	#28
Hellion179 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: South Tx Posts: 164	I'd use a liquid marine epoxy. Most of them are safe when dry. Also, when dry I don't think you'll see it doing much with your skimmer(as in going crazy).

05/15/2013, 08:11 PM	#30
Hellion179 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: South Tx Posts: 164	Lol. It's all good man. I hope you can get it fixed and working. Seeing two threads like this really sucks and steers me away from that skimmer....

05/15/2013, 09:53 PM	#33
Down Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Scotttsdale, AZ Posts: 308	Working so far. fingers crossed